Last Updated on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 1:52 PM
This is a very important question, and Scripture answers it clearly, but only when we let all of it speak together. The phrase “church of God” does not refer to a building or a denomination. It refers to a people—those who belong to God.
Let’s walk through the Scriptures themselves.
The Church of God According to Scripture
1. The Church of God = Those Called Out to Belong to Him
Acts 20:28 (KJV)
“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.”
This tells us:
- The Church belongs to God
- It was purchased by the blood of Christ
So the Church is not man-made, it is redeemed people.
2. The Church = Those Sanctified in Christ
1 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV)
“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord…”
Notice:
- “Church of God” includes all who call upon the Lord
- They are sanctified and called
This goes beyond one city and includes believers everywhere.
3. The Church = The Body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:27 (KJV)
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”
Ephesians 1:22–23 (KJV)
“…gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body…”
The Church is:
- a living spiritual body,
- with Christ as the head.
4. The Church = The Household of God
1 Timothy 3:15 (KJV)
“…the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
The Church is:
- God’s household,
- the pillar and ground of truth.
5. The Church = The Assembly of the Saved
Acts 2:47 (KJV)
“…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
The Church consists of:
- those added by God,
- those being saved.
6. The Church = The Heavenly People of God
Hebrews 12:22–23 (KJV)
“…unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven…”
Their citizenship and registry are heavenly.
7. The Church Includes Jew and Gentile Made One
Ephesians 2:14–16 (KJV)
“For he is our peace, who hath made both one…
…to make in himself of twain one new man…”
The Church is:
- not one earthly nation,
- but one spiritual people in Christ.
8. The Church = Those Who Walk in the Spirit and Truth
John 4:23 (KJV)
“…the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth…”
Romans 8:9 (KJV)
“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
The true people of God are identified by:
- the Spirit,
- truth,
- and genuine worship.
What the Church Is Called Out Of
The word church (ekklesia) means “called out ones.”
Scripture shows what God calls His people out of.
1. Called Out of the World
John 15:19 (KJV)
“…ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world…”
James 4:4 (KJV)
“…the friendship of the world is enmity with God…”
The Church is called out of:
- the world’s system,
- its values,
- and its spirit.
2. Called Out of Darkness
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
“…called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
Colossians 1:13 (KJV)
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness…”
The Church is called:
- from spiritual blindness,
- into God’s light.
3. Called Out of Sin
Romans 6:17–18 (KJV)
“…Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
Titus 2:11–12 (KJV)
“…denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly…”
The Church is not merely forgiven, but called into righteousness.
4. Called Out of False Worship and Idolatry
1 Thessalonians 1:9 (KJV)
“…ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;”
2 Corinthians 6:16–17 (KJV)
“…come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…”
God’s people are called out from:
- idols,
- mixture,
- and spiritual corruption.
The Visible Church vs The True (Spiritual) Church
Scripture distinguishes between:
- the outward assembly seen by men,
- and the true people of God known inwardly and spiritually.
These may appear together outwardly for a time, but they are not always the same.
1. The Visible Church
The visible church is the outward congregation or religious assembly.
It includes:
- professions,
- gatherings,
- ordinances,
- leadership structures,
- outward identification with the people of God.
But Scripture repeatedly shows that not all within the outward assembly truly belong to God.
Wheat and Tares Together Until the Harvest
Matthew 13:24–30 (KJV)
“The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat…
Let both grow together until the harvest…”
The field contains:
- true wheat,
- and false tares together outwardly.
Then comes the separation.
Matthew 13:37–42 (KJV)
“…the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.”
The visible body contains mixture until the harvest.
Good and Bad Fish Gathered in One Net
Matthew 13:47–50 (KJV)
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.”
Again:
- one outward gathering,
- but inwardly not all are alike.
Then comes separation.
Matthew 13:49 (KJV)
“…the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,”
The parables present:
- an active separation,
- carried out by appointed reapers/messengers,
- gathering the good,
- separating out the bad,
- under God’s authority and timing.
Those Who Have a Name but Not the Life
Revelation 3:1 (KJV)
“…thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”
An outward reputation may exist without spiritual life.
2. The True (Spiritual) Church
The true Church is composed of those genuinely born of God.
Not merely outwardly religious,
but spiritually alive.
The Church Written in Heaven
Hebrews 12:22–23 (KJV)
“…the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven…”
Their true membership is heavenly.
Those Possessing the Spirit
Romans 8:9 (KJV)
“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
The true Church is identified by:
- the Spirit of God,
- not merely outward profession.
Living Stones Built Spiritually
1 Peter 2:5 (KJV)
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house…”
The true Church is a spiritual building made of living stones.
False Churches or Corrupt Assemblies in Scripture
Scripture repeatedly warns that corruption can enter assemblies outwardly associated with God.
1. Mixture With False Doctrine
Revelation 2:14–15 (KJV)
“…thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam…
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans…”
Corruption enters through:
- compromise,
- false teaching,
- mixture.
2. Leaving First Love
Revelation 2:4 (KJV)
“…thou hast left thy first love.”
An assembly may continue outwardly while losing genuine devotion to Christ.
3. Tolerating Corruption
Revelation 2:20 (KJV)
“…thou sufferest that woman Jezebel…”
Assemblies may allow:
- corruption,
- seduction,
- spiritual fornication,
- false prophecy.
4. Outward Wealth but Spiritual Poverty
Revelation 3:17 (KJV)
“Because thou sayest, I am rich… and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”
Outward success may hide inward ruin.
5. Babylon as Corrupt Religious System
Revelation 18:2–4 (KJV)
“Babylon the great is fallen…
Come out of her, my people…”
Babylon represents:
- religious confusion,
- corruption,
- mixture with the world,
- spiritual adultery.
Yet God still says:
“my people”
showing that true believers may still be found within corrupted systems before separation.
Marks / Fruits of the True Church
Scripture gives identifiable characteristics.
1. Love for Christ
John 14:15 (KJV)
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
2. Love for One Another
John 13:35 (KJV)
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
3. Holiness
1 Peter 1:15–16 (KJV)
“…Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
4. Abiding in Truth
John 8:31 (KJV)
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”
5. Possessing the Spirit
Romans 8:14 (KJV)
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
6. Bearing Spiritual Fruit
Galatians 5:22–23 (KJV)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance…”
7. Enduring Faithfully
Matthew 24:13 (KJV)
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
8. Separation From Darkness
Ephesians 5:11 (KJV)
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness…”
Summary
The Church of God is:
- purchased by Christ,
- sanctified in Him,
- His spiritual body,
- the household of God,
- the assembly of the saved,
- and the heavenly people whose names are written in heaven.
They are called out of:
- the world,
- darkness,
- sin,
- idolatry,
- and spiritual corruption.
The visible church is the outward assembly where:
- wheat and tares may appear together,
- good and bad fish may be gathered in one net,
- true and false may exist side by side until the harvest.
The true Church is the spiritual people of God:
- born of the Spirit,
- walking in truth,
- bearing spiritual fruit,
- and belonging truly to Christ.
And at the time of harvest:
- the reapers separate,
- the wheat is gathered,
- the good are placed into vessels,
- and the false are removed.
Later on I will cover The Bride of Christ, who is this harvested group, ready for Christ's return. The church is depicted in many ways, so that we get a clear picture of God's plan of redemption for his people.
Until Later!