Many born again Christians gather with other Christ followers on a weekly basis at a local New Testament church. They do this because it’s commanded of them in scripture (Hebrews 10: 25, Luke 4:16, Psalms 122:1) to go. The word church is a translation from the Greek “Ekklesia” meaning a called-out assembly. There are obviously local branches, that is, a local body of believers of this one true Church of Jesus Christ and perhaps you gather with one regularly (Hebrews 12:22,23). But what is so special about the Church that thousands of people would gather under one banner multiple times per week? Here are some reasons why the Church is so special.
First, the Church is so special because of its price tag. The Bible declares in Acts 8:20: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” The Bible also declares in 1 Peter 1:18, 19: “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” The Church is special because Christ died for it. He purchased it with His own blood. Anything bought with blood is a high price to pay, Christ paid the ultimate price for you and me to be a part of His Church.
Second, the Church is so special because of its head. The pastor is not the head of the Church. The deacons are not the head of the Church, and neither are the members. The head of the Church is Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:23) “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” Also, Ephesians 1:20-23. The Church is special because it was established and headed by none other but the King of kings and the Lord of lords. After all, He purchased the Church with His own blood.
Third, the Church is so special because of its commission. The head of the Church, Jesus Christ, left us with a final command before He went to be at His Father’s right hand. He commands us, hence the Church, to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15). That command was not given to stones (even though they will cry out if we remain silent). That command was not given to the rich, or the poor, or the educated, or the pastor, or the missionary. It was given to EVERY person who is born again and hence a part of the Church of Jesus Christ. It is the great commission and an order every member of the Church should seek to obey.
Fourth, the Church is so special because of it place in society. The Church is the foundation and the pillar of truth (I Timothy 3:16). We have seen the judgement of God in the West with the rise of the LGBTQIA+ agenda. But the only thing that is keeping a restraint on that filth is the Church, as the Holy Ghost lives and rules in the lives of believers. The Bible declares in 2 Thessalonians 2:7: “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” Praise the Lord for the restraining arm of the Holy Ghost because of the presence of His Church in the world.
Fifth, the Church is so special because it is the body and bride of Christ. With all the diversity of gifts and talent, we can gather as one body and use those gifts and talents to worship our Saviour. (Colossians 1:24, Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12 and Hebrews 13:3). But the Church is also the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5, II Corinthians 11:2), and just as a bride should keep herself pure and eagerly prepare for her coming groom, so too should the Church stay pure in an wicked world and eagerly await her coming groom, the Lord Jesus Christ.
So why is the Church so special? Because of Jesus Christ!
Check out the RBP episode addressing this matter.
