What is a Church 1 ?

The word that is transalated church comes from a greek word ECCLESIA it means called out and is not strictly a religious word.  It can refer to a group or gathering that have set themselves aside for a specific cause.  Birmingham City Football Club supporters are very ecclesiastical especially after winning the Carling Cup recently, there will be lots conversations from this group about their victory for years to come!

When it comes to church in the religious sense, it is a group of people who gather to celebrate Jesus Christ.  Jesus said in response to Peters statement about his (Jesus) identity, "...upon this rock I build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it".  Jesus announces his church as a distinct contrast to what was the general use of the word.   Here is a list of  four other things the Bible says about churches:

1. Churches preached the good news about Jesus 2 Corinthians 8:18
2. Churches have Angels Revelation 1:20
3. Churches are places where God speaks to people by the Holy Spirit Revelation 2:7
4. Churches are called the body of Christ Ephesians 5:23 

New Testament Church of God (Handsworth)
244 Lozells Road
Handsworth
Birmingham
B19 1NP
0121 554 1358

http://www.ntcg-handsworth.org.uk/