To church”. This is the most used designation for the church in the New Testament. It is sometimes used with the location of the church. For example: “the church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria” (Acts 9:31) or “The church of the Thessalonians” (2 Thess. 1:1). The use of this term without any qualifying phrase indicates the uniqueness of the church. There was nothing like it in society. There was only one. Christ built only one. The church could spread to many countries and continents, but it was still “The Church”. All Christians were members of this body (1 Cor. 1:2).
B. The Church of God. The next most frequently used term was “church of God” or “churches of God” (2 Cor. 1:1; 1 Thess. 2:14, NASB). This name indicates the planner and creator of the church. It also indicates ownership because the church belongs to both God and Christ.
C. House of God. 1 Timothy 3:15, KJV. This name presents the church as a family. It reminds us that God dwells in his church and is the Father of all. Jesus also dwells with us and is a bit like our older brother. Romans 8:17 reminds us that as children of God, we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Galatians 3:26, 27 reveals how we become children of God. “You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus, because all who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
D. Temple of God. 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17. This name describes the worship characteristic of the church. God dwells in his holy temple, the church, and is worshiped there. Peter says that Christians “are being built up as living stones into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices pleasing to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5, KJV). The church then is a spiritual temple made of living stones (cf. Ephesians 2:19-22). God dwells in every believer through the Holy Spirit who is given to every obedient believer (Acts 2:38). If the believer is faithful to Christ, the head, he will one day see him personally as he is (1 John 3:2). In that day God will dwell with his people and will be his God (Revelation 21:3). This is the great purpose and goal of the church.