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Originally Posted by Esaias
So... the church then is not a definite local assembly of believers? But rather an iinvisiblembership list of individuals? Often based solely upon whether or not the individual believes in Jesus (however defined)?
Honestly I find that hard to believe. It seems to be counter to the teaching of the Bible. Regardless of what constitutes correct theology vs heresy does not the bible indicate the church is an assembly of God's people? An actual assembly?
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A local assembly of believers is an assembly of the church members who live there locally
If the church refers to a visible organization then why not become Catholic?
Jesus said "Upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it"
2 things. If "Church" refers to a local assembly, then church should be plural. Churches.
Second "Hell" there is Sheol/Hades referring to where dead people go. So the Church must in that respect refer to the entire body of believers
The word Church can refer to a local assembly, but that is simply because the local assembly is a local assembly of the Church.
It really depends on context and what the word "church" means. Sometimes it refers to the assembly, in which case sometimes the plural can be used, and others it is singular referring to the One body of Christ
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