The Church / The Churches

The Church: 115 Times in NT

Universal & Invisible or Local & Indigeonous? ~ Robert Lewis

English-Strong’s Index: church

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

115 times the word “church” is used in the KJV.

One time it is used for a public assembly.

Acts 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and [with] our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

One time is used for the church in prospect (the future).

Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

112 times it is used it is means “local assembly”

When the The New Testament  refers to the church it identifies it as a group of baptized believers in a certain place – “ The Church AT – ”

Ac 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Ac 13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Ac 18:22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

Ro 16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

Ro 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.

1Co 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

2Co 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

1Pe 5:13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

The common reference to the the assembly in the KJV is CHURCHES

It Is used in the PLURAL 37 TIMES

Question: If the church is universal as some suppose, how can you have multiple churches? How can you have churches “AT” a named city mentioned 19 times if the church is universal. Each church was complete in itself. Each one had its own identity. Jesus is the head of one and of all. He is the head of one and all of His churches. He alone confers His authority upon His church. He alone adds members to them. He alone provides pastors for them.

Ac 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Ac 15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Ac 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Ac 19:37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

Ro 16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

Ro 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

1Co 7:17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

1Co 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

1Co 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

1Co 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

1Co 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

2Co 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2Co 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

2Co 8:19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

2Co 8:23 Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

2Co 8:24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

2Co 11:8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

2Co 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

2Co 12:13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

Ga 1:2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

Ga 1:22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

1Th 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

2Th 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

Re 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Re 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Re 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Re 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Re 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Re 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Re 2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Re 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Re 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Re 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Re 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Re 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Again, each church did have, and does have its own identity. Jesus is the head the church He physically started while he walked on the earth. He is also head of one and of all the churches that were born of the doctrinal sparks that have passed from one to another since He returned to Heaven. He is the head of one and all of His churches. He alone confers His authority upon His them. He alone adds members to them. He alone provides pastors for them. He alone is to be worshipped in them. He alone gave himself for them. There is no Rabbi, Vicar, Priest, Pastor or martyr who is worthy to share His glory. There is no writing, book, manuscript or letter that is worthy to correct or condemn His preserved Word, for He alone is worthy to be worshipped.

Joh 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.