Chapter two

What is the true church?

We often confuse Kuriakon (the building) with Ekklesia (the called-out people). This is a significant mistake. Let’s turn to the Holy Scriptures for a better understanding.

Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the Prophet,

Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

Acts 7:48-49

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:5

From these scriptures, we learn that we are the temple of God, living stones upon which the Holy Spirit dwells and builds. The word states that God does not live in temples (Kuriakon) made by human hands. Paul also taught that the Spirit of God lives in us, for we are the temple (Ekklesia) of God.

He warns that if we defile this temple, God will destroy us. When the body of Christ Jesus (the true church) gathers in a physical building, we assemble as one people with one Spirit. The building then becomes a host for God’s temple (see 1 Corinthians 12:7). The real Church is not the physical building but the living stones, as Peter stated in 1 Peter 2:5.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:18

Christ Jesus told Peter that He (Jesus) was a rock, and upon this rock He would build His Church (1 Corinthians 10:4, Matthew 16:18, 1 Peter 2:6-8). God starts His Church with us. We are the raw materials. The physical building (Kuriakon) is simply the place where we (Ekklesia) meet. Christ Jesus is the chief cornerstone, and we depend on Him.

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:19-22

Any church that does not rest on the chief cornerstone (Christ Jesus) is not a true church. The Holy Spirit builds us (the living temple) as we fellowship together. That’s why we meet in a physical building to encourage and strengthen one another in faith. The church is a family, and our gatherings help us renew our covenant with God.