The universal church is the corporate group of all believers through both time and space whose future is being united in the marriage of the lamb. Described as the body of Christ, the church is led with Christ as its head but is also the physical presence of Jesus Christ in the world. The local church is a group of people both believers and non-believers who gather together for fellowship, prayer, worship, the preaching and teaching of God’s word, and practice of the ordinances of the church. The church is led by God ordained leaders called elders (Greek: presbuteros) who both lead the church and provide church discipline.

Key Passages on the ecclesiology (church doctrine): 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, Matthew 18,

History of the church’s origins: see the book of acts especially chapters 2, 10

On church leadership: Matthew 18, Acts 6, 1&2 Timothy, Titus

Church discipline: 1 Corinthians 5, Matthew 18