The majority of references in the English Bible to the Lord's congregation used the word "church". In addition to this, there are at least 7 figures of speech given to help us further understand its meaning and function.
The Lord's congregation is:
1. A church, a lawful assembly (ekklesia) Matthew 16:18; Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 12:28
2. A body, a living organism (soma) Romans 12:5; Colossians 1:18
3. A flock, a group of followers (poimnion) Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2
4. A house, a kindred family (oikos) 1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 3:6
5. A building, a designed structure (oikodome) 1 Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:21
6. A temple, a devoted place (naos) 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21
7. A bride/wife/married woman, a covenanted relationship (numphe/gune) Ephesians 5:23-24
8. A husbandry, a cultivated field (georgion) 1 Corinthians 3:9
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