Ecclesiology, the study of the church, derives its name from the Greek words “ekklesia” (church) and “logos” (doctrine). “Ekklesia,” the primary New Testament word for church, means “called out” or “separated,” referring to a group called out from the world and set apart for Jesus Christ. This emphasizes that the church is fundamentally a people, not a building.

The Old Testament illustrates God’s transcendence, as seen in 1 Kings 8:27, where Solomon acknowledges that even the temple could not contain God. In the New Testament, the Christian’s body is identified as the “temple of the Holy Ghost” (1 Cor. 6:19), highlighting that God’s presence dwells within believers.

Another Greek word for church, “kuriakon,” meaning “belonging to the Lord,” underscores Christ’s ownership of the church. The English word “church” comes from the German word “kirche,” derived from “kuriakon.”

These Greek terms provide a foundation for understanding the church as a community of people, called out from the world, belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This understanding shapes our view of the church’s purpose, function, and significance in God’s plan. It is not merely a social institution but a living organism, the body of Christ, with a divine calling and eternal destiny.

The biblical theology here is significant. In the Old Testament, God’s presence was often linked to specific places. The New Testament reveals a shift to a community of believers embodying God’s presence, fulfilling God’s promise to dwell with His people. The church, therefore, is a new expression of God’s dwelling place among humanity, a crucial concept for understanding its role in God’s redemptive plan.