A Study of the Biblical Church Part 1: What is Church?

Church:
Assembly

The Body and People
-1 Corinthians 12:18-20
    -like a body the church has many parts, not just one part
        -with many parts there are many differences
            -22-26       
                -these differences may seem like weakness' in some eyes
                    -in reality these are what strengthens the church body
                        -Biblical, they should take this under their care and so they grow and strengthen each other
-Ephesians 1:23
    -The church without Christ is nothing
        -The church needs to be broken
            -He completes and fills it, without him it is empty
-1 Timothy 3:15
    -the church is referred to as "the household of God"
-Acts 2:42-46
    - The church is a place where; "believers met together in on place and shared everything they had"
        - this could be seen in a physical context, or also in a mental context
            -implying that the church was welcoming to all, that there was no restraint or hesitant with sharing issues and problems
                -also note that they gathered in worship, and in giving

Reflection:
Church is the gathering of an imperfect people under one banner, the banner of Christ. It is interesting to see that even with this, the church is still considered "the household of God." And like it says 1 Corinthians 12:18-20, our weakness is our strengthening. If there is weakness in the church, rather then ignoring or dismissing it, we in a biblical manner should build up and strengthen the individual(s), thus making the whole body of the church stronger. However, if Christ is not the centre of this the actions and meeting of the church is useless and means nothing, the focus must be in, through and on Christ. The Church is simply an assembly or gathering of a group of imperfect individuals. Many see this as a weakness, but the Bible says if you stay focused and keep Him as your centre you will only grow stronger.