What is the difference between the Church and the church?
The Church (the Body of Christ) is a spiritual organism — every believer baptized by the Holy Spirit into union with Christ at the moment of salvation. The local church is the geographic assembly of those believers. You are part of the Church by faith in Christ whether or not you attend; and a person can belong to a church organization without ever having believed, and so not be part of the Church at all.
Also asked: What is the difference between the invisible, universal Church and the various physical churches that exist around the world? · What is the distinction between the spiritual entity known as the Church and a physical gathering of believers called the church?
Also asked, more loosely
How do I determine if I am part of the universal Body of Christ or just a member of a local church organization?
Source: The Basics The Basics, Unit 2, Lesson 2-2 — The Base–The Church
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Related questions
- What does the Bible teach about death?1 Corinthians 12:13 · The Basics
- How would you explain the nature and function of the Church to a friend? What Scriptures would you use?1 Corinthians 12:13 · The Basics
- What is baptism? What are the two types of baptisms described in the Bible?1 Corinthians 12:13 · The Basics
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- What is the biblical definition of a local church and its role in spiritual growth?1 Corinthians 12:13 · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about baptisms?1 Corinthians 12:13 · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about the Resurrection?1 Corinthians 12:13 · The Basics
See also
- What is the Greek word for “church” and what does it mean?Same lesson · The Basics
- What is the “rock” upon which the Church is built?Same lesson · The Basics
- Who is forming and empowering the Church?Same lesson · The Basics
- What is the two-fold mission of the Church?Same lesson · The Basics
- What were the four priorities of the early Church?Same lesson · The Basics
- When the dispute arose between Hellenistic and Hebrew Christians in Acts 6, why did the apostles say it was not desirable for them to wait tables?Same lesson · The Basics
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