Matthew 16:18 says, "And I (Jesus) also say to you that you are Peter (petros), and on this rock (petra), I will build My church, and the gates of hades (hell) shall not prevail against it."
In Greek, the word 'petros' here speaks of 'a piece of rock', whereas the word 'petra' speaks of 'the mass of rock' (like the one at the core of the earth). This 'mass of rock' is the 'chief cornerstone' (i.e. the uttermost of all rocks), i.e. Jesus Christ Himself. So, when Jesus said this to Peter, He meant "on this confession and revelation that Jesus Christ is the Lord (see also Matthew 16:13-17), He will build His church." And you know what? This is the first time the word 'church' is mentioned in the Bible!
So, what exactly is a 'church'?
The words 'church' or 'churches' are mentioned about 115 times in the King James Version, and interestingly, all these 115 times point towards 'church' being a 'people', not a building (or an area or land). And as a matter of fact, not even once does the Bible speak of 'church' as a 'building'! Check the Bible for yourself.
In Greek, the word 'church' is 'ekklesia'. The word 'ek' means 'of/from'. The word 'klesia' comes from the word 'kaleo', which means 'a call'. So, 'ekklesia' simply means 'a gathering of the called ones (i.e. God's people)'. 1 Peter 2:9-10 says as believers, you are 'a people', called out from the darkness into God's marvelous light.
So, as believers, and as a 'people of God', you and I are the 'church'!
1 Peter 2:5 says you (believers) are 'living stones' (not 'dead stones'). It also says you (believers) are being built up a 'spiritual house' (not stone buildings). And the person who wrote this is none other than Peter himself (whom the Lord has first introduced the word 'church' in Matthew 16:18).
I've also checked and read all 115 mentions of the words 'church' or 'churches' in the Bible, and I found out nowhere in these 115 times did anyone (whether Paul, Luke, John, or of course, Peter) speak of church as a 'building'. Everyone pointed to 'church' as 'a people'!
These are some examples:
The book of Acts written by Luke (a physician who's very specific in his usage of words in all his writings):
(a) Acts 8:1 - great persecution arose against the church (i.e. people), and they (the people) were scattered.
(b) Acts 11:26 - Barnabas & Paul assembled with the church (i.e. people), not in the church (building).
(c) Acts 16:5 - church (i.e. people) being strengthened in faith. A 'building' cannot be strengthened in faith!
(d) Acts 20:28 - church (i.e. people) purchased with Jesus' blood. A 'building' cannot be purchased this way!
The 'church' is Christ's body (i.e. the body of Christ). Christ is the head of the 'body' (i.e. people), and the 'body' is filled with the fullness of Him who fills all in all. See Ephesians 1:22-23.
The 'church' is built on the spiritual foundation of apostles and prophets (not a natural building built on the foundation of physical, earthly stones). See Ephesians 2:20-22.
Paul also illustrated the relationship between 'Christ' and the 'church' (i.e. God's people) with that of a husband and wife. See Ephesians 5:23-32.
In Matthew 18:20, Jesus also said, "where two (the smallest plurality) or three are gathered in My name, I AM there in the midst of them!" Yes, anywhere, and everywhere in the world, He IS there! A gathering of the 'called ones'! This, my friend, is also an 'ekklesia'!
And I believe that's why Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 that 'the gates of hell cannot prevail against His church'. Because 'church' is never meant to be a 'building'. 'Church' is 'a people'. The 'enemy' may be able to destroy or burn a 'building', but they can never destroy the 'church'. Because the 'church' is a 'people of God' gathered in His name.
So, when Saul persecuted the 'church' (see Acts 8:1), they (i.e. the 'church') were scattered everywhere, and you know what? The 'church' grew all the more (see Acts 8:4), wherever the people were scattered! And the best thing was the persecutor (Saul) himself was later touched and changed by the Lord to be a preacher of Christ! Hallelujah!
So, when Saul persecuted the 'church' (see Acts 8:1), they (i.e. the 'church') were scattered everywhere, and you know what? The 'church' grew all the more (see Acts 8:4), wherever the people were scattered! And the best thing was the persecutor (Saul) himself was later touched and changed by the Lord to be a preacher of Christ! Hallelujah!
