People think of a place of worship when they hear the word “church.” Most envision a building with a cross or steeple on top and think of wedding ceremonies or funerals. For some however, the church holds negative connotations. Some see the church as judgmental and zealous, outdated and divisive. 66% of Americans have a negative view of organized religion, with 45% indicating very unfavorable opinions (Pew Research Center, 2018).
Conversely, studies have investigated negative sentiment among Christians towards the church as well. 54% of Christian adults reported churches were too focused on rules, not compassion (Barna Group, 2020). 59% of self-identified Christians said that they experienced negative experiences within the Church.
Some may have negative views of the Church, but its importance to Christianity remains unchanged. The Church provides spiritual guidance and support to millions of people, as Jesus intended.
WHY JESUS CREATED THE CHURCH
In the book of Matthew, Jesus reveals the word “church” for the first time. When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Whom do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So, they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:13-18)
Jesus used a play on words to teach the disciples about his church. He begins with a clever question. “Who do men say that I am?” The disciples replied with many answers. Then He asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter declared, “You are the Christ, The Son of the living God.” This outward declaration moves Jesus to make an announcement. “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
First, Jesus announced that Simon, son of Jonah, would be known as Peter. The name Peter is derived from the Greek word Petros which means “rock” or “stone.” He then declared that he would build his church on this rock (petra). He used the Greek word petra, which is a collection of rocks knitted together to form a larger slab. Jesus declared that his church would be built from unified believers confessing him as Messiah, like Peter.
The Greek word “ekklesia” for church is composed of the preposition “ek,” meaning “out of,” and the verb “kaleo,” meaning “to call.” Together, these words signify the concept of “the called-out ones.”
God’s church is filled with those who have heard, obeyed, and been saved by Christ’s call. The apostle Paul testified to the gospel of Jesus Christ and God’s called people in his letter to Rome. He reiterated, “Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him, we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; (Romans 1:3-6)
Jesus established the Church to continue his mission of love, peace, and hope. He said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Jesus wanted believers to unite with a shared purpose: to bring glory to God by bringing people closer to him.
THE CHARGE AGAINST THE CHURCH
Another factor to consider is Satan’s charge against the church. Jesus declared, “I will build My church on this rock and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) Satan, the prince of this world, has sought to destroy God’s church since its inception, including His saints. The apostle Paul confirms this in the book of Ephesians. Paul states, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:12-13)
Common ways Satan attempts to hinder God’s church
- Leading people away from the truth.
- Tempting people with false teaching, deception and fear.
- Working through those who reject God’s Word and join forces with him.
- Blinding people to the truth, preventing them from entering the kingdom of Heaven.
Fortunately, God has given us everything we need through His Word to counter the enemy’s attacks on the Church. The Church can withstand these attacks by:
- Drawing near to God through prayer and Bible study (James 4:8).
- Recognizing Satan’s schemes and being alert to his deceit (2 Corinthians 2:11).
- Standing strong in faith and using God’s Word as an offensive weapon against him (Ephesians 6:17).
- Putting on spiritual armor, so we can fight the good fight of faith (Ephesians 6:11-13).
We can safeguard God’s Church from the enemy’s attacks by standing in faith together. Uniting and fortifying our shared beliefs will foil Satan’s attempts to weaken or divide us.
THE BODY OF CHRIST
It is, however, vitally important for Christians to attend church. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Every Christian contributes to the universal body of Christ as an individual part of a collective whole. In Corinthians Paul writes, “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) This union unites all believers throughout the world, to carry out God’s sovereign plan.
Church participation
God calls all Christians to put into practice what they say they believe. To be part of the universal assembly of believers but not participate in a local church is to miss out on God’s kingdom agenda to bring Christ to the world. The local church’s mission is to create an environment of community, connection, and spiritual growth where Believers are equipped to serve God. Ephesians 4:11-13 declares, “ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
Believers come together in the local church to worship, fellowship, disciple, and serve — all for sharing Christ’s love. Let’s not let Satan place doubt in our minds and stop us from doing something Jesus ordained. So, if you are a Christian not connected to a local Church, prayerfully ask God to open a door of opportunity and get involved. Here are a few links that can assist you.
Church Finder Web Sites
- Church Finder Worldwide: helps users find churches, small groups, and Christian resources near them.
- DiscoveryChurch.org: uses your location to locate churches nearby and reviews from other app users.
- FaithLife Connect: connects individuals from all around the world who are interested in finding a church home, attending events, joining Bible studies, and more.
- ChurchAngel.com: offers a comprehensive list of churches all over the world with detailed descriptions, contact information, and user reviews.
In closing, Jesus created the Church to be light in a dark and hurting world, demonstrating how to live according to God’s will. Satan has made it his mission to discredit the Church and lead people astray with evil influences. Nevertheless, Believers must stay vigilant and unified in Christ by being part of a local church. As members of the body of Christ, we can support, learn from and share our faith with others. By joining a local church, Christians can grow in faith, serve and create a lasting impact for all eternity.
