Ephesians 1:22–23
“And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.”
This passage presents one of the most profound descriptions of the church in all of Scripture. The church is not merely an institution, a gathering, or a religious activity. Scripture declares that the church is the body of Christ and—astonishingly—the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
That statement demands careful reflection.
Christ the Head, the Church the Body
Paul tells us that God has placed all things under Christ’s authority and has given Him as head over all things to the church. Christ rules over everything—but His headship is exercised for the church.
The church, then, is not peripheral to God’s purposes. It is central.
Yet when we look at the church today—fragmented, divided, often struggling—it may not appear to reflect the fullness of God. Congregations differ, denominations disagree, and believers sometimes struggle to walk in unity and love. And yet, Scripture speaks of an eternal vision: God is forming a body that will fully reflect Christ.
Despite the messiness of daily life, broken relationships, cultural hostility, and human weakness, Jesus Christ is building His church. And that church will become the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
“I Will Build My Church”
The first person to use the word church in the New Testament was Jesus Himself.
In Matthew 16, Peter declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responds by affirming that this revelation did not come from human reasoning, but from the Father. Upon this revelation—that Jesus is the Son of God—Christ declares:
“I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
The foundation of the church is not a person, but a revelation. People may fail, but revelation remains.
Notably, gates do not advance. They are defensive structures. The implication is clear: the church advances, and the gates of hell cannot withstand its movement. The church is called to go, to open gates, and to bring people out of darkness into the kingdom of God.
What Is the Church?
To understand what the church is, we must first understand what it is not.
The Meaning of Ekklesia
The Greek word translated as “church” is ekklesia, meaning “called-out assembly.” It does not refer to a building.
A building is not the church.
An organization is not the church.
A weekly event is not the church.
Wherever God’s people gather in Christ’s name—whether in homes, halls, or open spaces—that is the church.
The people gather in a building; the building does not become the church.
The Church Is Not…
1. A Building
God does not dwell in buildings made by human hands. He dwells in the hearts of His people.
2. A Club or Philosophy Group
The church is not a place for intellectual discussion detached from relationship with Christ. The Bible is not a philosophy text; it is the revelation of the Son of God, through whom we receive life.
3. A Concert or Performance Venue
Worship is not for human satisfaction. We worship with an audience of One. The measure of worship is not emotional intensity but whether God is pleased.
4. A Charity Organization
While the church must serve the poor and care for the needy, social action alone does not define the church. Service must flow from union with Christ, not replace it.
The church is none of these things by themselves.
The Church Is an Organism, Not an Organization
The church is a living body.
There is one universal body of Christ across the world, composed of all who are saved by grace, redeemed by the blood of Christ, and being sanctified by the Spirit. Within local congregations, there may be seekers and observers—but only those who are spiritually united to Christ are part of His body.
The church is Christ the Head and believers as His body—nothing more and nothing less.
Christ’s Gifts to the Church (Ephesians 4)
Paul explains how Christ builds His body in Ephesians 4:8–16.
When Christ ascended, He gave gifts to His people:
Apostles
Prophets
Evangelists
Pastors
Teachers
These gifts are not given so a few people can do all the ministry. They are given to equip the saints.
Who Are the Saints?
Every believer.
Who Does the Work of Ministry?
Every believer.
The role of church leadership is not to replace the body, but to prepare the body.
The Goal: Maturity and Fullness
God’s purpose is clear:
Unity of faith
Knowledge of the Son of God
Spiritual maturity
Growth into the fullness of Christ
This maturity protects the church from confusion, false teaching, and instability. It produces believers who know Christ—not merely know about Him.
Spiritual growth is not only intellectual. It is relational, experiential, and transformative.
How the Body Grows
Paul describes the church as a body:
Each believer is a part
Each connection between believers is a “joint”
Every joint supplies something
Growth happens when each part does its work
No part is insignificant. If one part fails to function, the body suffers. The church builds itself up in love, through truth spoken in love, and through genuine involvement in one another’s lives.
This kind of community is not always comfortable—but it is necessary.
The Mark of the True Church
Jesus did not say the world would know His disciples by:
Their doctrine alone
Their miracles
Their buildings
He said:
“They will know you are My disciples by your love for one another.”
Love is what holds the body together. Without love, structure collapses, truth becomes harsh, and ministry becomes hollow.
Becoming the Fullness of Christ
The church grows when:
Believers remain connected to Christ
Believers remain connected to one another
Every part supplies what God has entrusted to it
As the church lives this way, it grows into what Scripture declares it already is:
The body of Christ.
The fullness of Him who fills all in all.
