When we hear the word ‘church’ most people think of a place they go each Sunday to listen to preaching, have times of worship and fellowship. Those who do not attend church may think of a building in their city that represents the gathering of Christians.

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Additionally, if you were to look up the definition of church in a dictionary it would say, a building used for public Christian worship. While all these are true, this is certainly not what Jesus had in mind when He spoke of the church. Let’s look at some things Jesus had to say about the church.

Blood Bought Church

Therefore, take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28, NKJV.)

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25, NKJV.)

This church the Word of God speaks of is not a building at all, although we are told to gather together often. The church is a body of believers that Jesus Christ, Himself purchased with His own precious blood. No, it is not a building, it is a living, breathing entity of which Jesus Christ is the head.

The Chief Cornerstone

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit (Eph 2:19-22, NKJV.)

In construction, a building has four corners. In the days of Jesus, buildings, as we know, were built with stones. The chief cornerstone was the very first stone laid on the ground at one corner of the building. The building was then erected by adding stones next to and on top of the chief cornerstone.

The chief cornerstone and how it was laid was vital. If this stone was not correctly placed, the entire building would be tilted and would risk destruction or collapse. Not so with the Church of which Jesus is our chief cornerstone. Because of what He completed perfectly at the cross, our building is firm and enduring, our cornerstone immovable. This building, the Church, will stand, and nothing can destroy it.

If our faith is built on Jesus, it will endure through trials, hardships, and anything else the enemy can attempt.

We Are the Church

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building (1 Cor 3:9, NKVJ.)

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ (1 Cor 12:12, NKJV.)

We, you, and I, are the Church. We are the living breathing Body of Christ on this earth, filled with the awesome power of Jesus Himself and built entirely and firmly upon Him.

Hell, Itself Can’t Prevail

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (Mt 16:18, NKJV.)

The gates of hell shall not prevail against the Body of Christ. This truth has not changed. With the world we find ourselves in today, I believe many in the Church have forgotten this truth. Many are afraid and stressed at what is going on in the world. This should not be. Jesus said, hell will not overcome the church. It does not matter what laws are presented. It doesn’t matter who the elected officials are. It doesn’t matter how dire it appears in our nation. Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail. If He said it, it will come to pass. Our part is to continue to believe and declare His unfailing word.

We cannot come into agreement with the world by rehearsing how bad things appear. We must not echo the news media with its negative reports. We must, instead, keep our eyes on Jesus and His promise that the gates of hell would not prevail. Let THAT be our battle cry! Let’s shout…“No matter how it looks, no matter how I feel today, God said the gates of hell would not prevail and they will not, in Jesus name!”

Let’s look again at Matthew 16:18, the Passion Translation says it like this; I give you the name Peter, a stone. And this rock will be the bedrock foundation on which I will build my church—my legislative assembly, and the power of death will not be able to overpower it!

Don’t you love this? The church is God’s legislative assembly! Nothing will overpower what God has set in place.

The New Living says, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. ALL the powers of hell are nothing compared to what Jesus has set in place, the CHURCH.

The Amplified says it like this, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the (infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it].

Make no mistake about it. When God established the church through the blood of Jesus Christ, He did all things well. The powers of darkness will not overpower the church. Regardless of what they try, they will not be able to outlast the church. God is not sitting in heaven wringing His hands today. No, the Bible tells us He sits in the heavens and laughs. Why? Because He knows the end from the beginning. He knows the gates of hell will not outlast nor overpower His blood bought church. The question is, are we convinced of that truth?

Remember this, Gods first word is His final word. The gates of hell shall not prevail. May this become our battle cry today.

Please share in the comments what you are hearing from the Lord about the Church . . .

Kim Potter is a writer and the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to thousands of people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, in Charisma Magazine, and on Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim’s message is one of hope. She speaks to the hearts of those who have grown discouraged or disappointed by the circumstances of life, to impart hope. Her daily inspirational writings are available at www.anewthingministries.com. Photo Credit: NATHAN MULLET on Unsplash.