The Church is not a building or a social club. It is neither a profit-making entity nor an entertainment joint. Many people today consider themselves ‘members‘ of a church simply because they have a membership number, a good relationship with the leadership, or are themselves in leadership. No matter how genuine a notion we may have of the Church, if it isn’t Bible-based, then it is probably false.
The Bible is very clear about what the Church is. Paul defines the Church as what Christ “…obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). This is the foundational thought we must all have when thinking about the Church. The Church is certainly not a building, for Christ did not redeem or ransom stones and mortar. First and foremost, the Church is a people. Paul asks the elders of the Ephesian Church to pay careful attention to the entire flock—the Church of God. Who, then, is Paul talking about here?
They are Saints
There is a clear distinction in the New Testament between those who receive Christ and those who do not receive him (1 Corinthians 12:27). John 1:11-12 informs us that we are only made sons (saints) when we receive Christ and believe in his atoning work. We are considered holy and blameless before God because Christ’s blood was shed for us! We do not become saints through behavior transformation, but through Christ-sized redemption. The Church is made of redeemed saints. Sinners are those who have refused to receive and believe in the Son of God. Anyone who does not have a functional relationship with Jesus is not a member of the Church, no matter how committed they may be in matters of religion.
What We are Bought From
We first need to understand why the language of ‘purchasing’ or ‘redeeming’ is coming up. The word redeem means “to buy out.” The term was explicitly used in the context of purchasing freedom for slaves. If we are to be “redeemed,” then it means that before this, we were in bondage. God has purchased our freedom, and we are no longer bound to sin. Humanity was placed under God’s wrath after the sin of Adam and Eve. In essence, the first man sold his soul, and those of his offspring, to the rule of Satan. In this state, we became bound to the power, penalty, and presence of sin. When Jesus came, he paid the price for our release from sin and its punishment (Matthew 20:28, 1 Timothy 2:6). His death was exchanged for our life. Scripture is clear that redemption is only possible “through his blood,” that is, by his death (Colossians 1:14, Romans 6:20-21). Hence, we can confidently proclaim that we are the redeemed of the LORD!
Meaning of Being Blood-bought
There is a need to understand what it truly means to be bloodbought, being a member of God’s flock, the purchased ones, the Church. Sadly, many who claim to be part of the Church of Christ may not belong in the true sense. The following are qualities of those found in the Church, God’s people.
We are Justified and Saved from Wrath.
We have been declared guiltless in the courtroom of God by our advocate, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9). This declaration of innocence causes us to shift from a position of wrath to freedom. We are no longer enslaved people but free sons in the household of God. What good news! And for this, as Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, there’s no room for pride and gloating for the believer because we are nothing without Jesus Christ.
We are No Longer Afar but Near.
In purchasing our freedom, Christ has brought us near, we who were far off because of sin. At first, we were separated from life and the commonwealth of heaven. This separation stemmed from the original sin in Adam, and also, secondarily, from our status as Gentiles. However, upon salvation, we are grafted into the family of God, hence becoming brothers with Jesus. It no longer matters that we are not Jewish by birth. Our spiritual birth changes everything. Praise God that now we have indeed been brought near (Ephesians 2:12-13, 22).
We are At Peace with God.
We are no longer at loggerheads with God because through the blood of Christ, we are now under no condemnation (Romans 8:1). Instead of being ruled by chaos and turmoil, we now have the presence of God (Colossians 1:20-22). This is what our Lord, Jesus Christ, meant when he said to the disciples in John 14:27 that the peace he gives them is unlike the world’s version of it. For many people, peace alludes to the absence of trouble or calamity. But true peace with God means having him as our confidence and hope.
We are Overcomers
Being blood-bought saints means that our standpoint on the battlefield is neither that of casualties nor losers, but overcomers (Revelation 12:11). It is not our strength that makes us overcome, nor is it our prayers, fasting, or piety. We overcome because Christ, the overcomer, dwells in us (John 16:33). For this reason, we are overcomers because he has overcome (1 John 4:4, 1 John 5:5).
We have Unhindered Access to God’s Presence.
Will Christ ever refuse us access to his Father’s presence? No. We are God’s possession, sealed by the blood of his Son’s sacrifice; therefore, wherever or whenever in need, the saints, the true Church of Christ, can and should call the name of Jesus. He shall be near (Hebrews 10:19-22).
In summary, the Church is a people, a blood-bought people who live and move for the glory of God in the power of Christ. No one who has not placed their faith in Christ should consider themselves a member of his Church. Are you washed in the blood? When the bridegroom comes, will your robe be white and washed in the blood of the Lamb? (1 Peter 1:18–19). Be sure to seek him. His arms are open to all who call on his name.