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Catechism #49



Q. What is the church?

A.  All those who believe the gospel of Jesus Christ make up the church. 

The Bible never says to go to church.

While that statement might seem shocking, the reality is church is not a place we can go. We are the church. By definition, church refers to the “called out ones.” All who believe the gospel of Jesus Christ make up the church.

We have local church buildings and assemblies, but all true believers are a part of the church. In heaven there isn’t a First Baptist congregation and a Calvary Baptist congregation; there will not be a UMC section or a Pentecostal section; we will all just be the church.

The Bible doesn’t say to go to church, but it does say to not forsake assembling together. Whenever we meet together—whether a Sunday morning service, children’s church, or a small group meeting for coffee and Bible study—we are having a church service.

The church provides accountability, discipleship, education, fellowship, and worship. The church also allows individuals to use their Spiritual gifts to invest in the lives of others. And when we obey God by bringing our tithes into the storehouse, we can do more together than we can do as individuals.

Church is not a place we go and sit; church is a thing we do. If we are truly called out ones, we need to be busy about our calling, bringing the unsaved to Christ and training the saved. 


Don’t go to church. Be the church.
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