What is the Church?
There is a great deal of misunderstanding today as to what the Church really is. It certainly is not a building as such; in New Testament times Christians were much too poor to erect "churches" - they met in homes. We find Paul, for instance, sending greetings to Philemon "and to the church in thy house".
The New Testament employs many figures to describe the Church. It is spoken of as the Bride of Christ, a chosen nation, a holy temple, and the Body of Christ. The true church is not any particular denomination. It comprehends all who truly belong to Christ, who knows something of repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the "holy Catholic Church" of the Apostles' Creed. This is what the Reformers meant when they spoke about "the blessed company of all faithful people".
The Lord Jesus Christ is the One Who builds the Church. He plainÂly declared "I will build My church; 
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". Ministers may preach the Gospel, but Christ alone can add to the Church. Paul may plant, Apollos may water, but only God can give the increase.
The security of the church is guaranteed. It is constantly being assailÂed by Satan; he has an inveterate hatred for the Church. We need constantly to be reminded to pray for the whole state of Christ's Church militant here on earth.
A real unity exits amongst believers; they are "all one in Christ Jesus". We are urged "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace". We must, however, beware of confusing true unity with uniformity.
Let us live as worthy members of the church, if such we are. The Lord Jesus urges us to let our light shine before men; we are to be as lights in a dark world. The Apostle Paul reminds us that we to be "epistles of Christ, known and read of all men".