What is the true purpose of the church and how did the church get started?

on Jun 3, 2026

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: There’s little known today about the true purpose of a church and how the church got started. I saw a celebrity on a podcast answering why she considers herself a Christian. Her answer was that she goes to church. Is this an adequate answer? – C.G.

A: The word church brings to mind a building, a denomination, a particular congregation; and sadly, in some cases, a social club. The “church” is defined by the Word of God:

Pentecost was the day of power of the Holy Spirit, and it was on this day that Christ’s church was born. First, it means a local group of believers in Jesus Christ, or all the Christians in a particular city or area such as, “the church which was at Jerusalem” (Acts 8:1, NKJV) or “the church that was at Antioch” (Acts 13:1, NKJV) or “the church of God which is at Corinth” (1 Corinthians 1:2, NKJV). Nowhere in the New Testament does “church” refer to a building, since there were none in the first century (Christians mostly met in homes).

Second, the word church in the Bible refers to the company of all believers spiritually united by their relationship with Christ. The church isn’t just a local congregation; it includes all believers everywhere – even those who have died and are now in Heaven.

We also learn through Scripture that Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which “He is the Savior” (Ephesians 5:23, NKJV). He is also the foundation of the church, and the message of the church comes directly from Jesus Christ.

While some people think that “going to church” on Sunday and owning a dust-covered Bible makes a person a Christian, they are very much deceived. A Christian is one in whom Christ dwells and the person’s life will give evidence of this.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)