In the Scriptures, "Church" means "called out ones" (ecclesia) or assembly of saints (believers in Christ Jesus). The Apostles referred to churches (plural) in the majority of their writings, because they were writing to an assembly of believers in a region, locality or in some cases, to ALL Churches.
Jesus Christ knows them that are His according to 1 Tim 2:9
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
In all assemblies of Believers, there may be those who don't know the Lord and the Scriptures are clear about that, too. There is no name in the Bible for these Churches. They are just referred to in various ways as, "churches of God, churches of Christ, churches of the saints, churches of Asia, churches of Galatia", etc., etc.
The word "church" can also be used in the plural, denoting all believers as in:
Gal_1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Here, Paul is speaking of persecuting believers in Christ, not necessarily a particular church in a specific city, since he traveled to different cities to persecute the CHURCH of GOD.
There is, overall, ONE CHURCH of the Living God, and this Church consists of members, or called out ones that are part of individual "little" churches (assemblies of believers) around the world. Again, the Lord knows them that are His (1 Tim 2:9).
An easy way to understand this is we have one physical body, but this body is made up of millions of cells. There would be no body without the individual cells within the body. And there are specific cells for specific things. Also, they are divided (they reside in different places of the Body as a whole).
The following scriptures illustrate this: Never once, was a specific, sectarian name given to the churches of God. They were referred to by region or city, only. Does that mean that anyone in a "named" denomination is lost? No, that is not correct at all. Since the basis of salvation is faith in Christ, not what human organization one is a member of. Stained glass windows don't keep Satan out and we should not think that they keep Jesus Christ out, either. The Spirit of God goes where He wills.
Act_9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Act_15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Act_16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Act_19:37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
Rom_16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Rom_16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
1Co_7:17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
1Co_11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
1Co_14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
1Co_14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
1Co_16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
1Co_16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
2Co_8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2Co_8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
2Co_8:19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
2Co_8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
2Co_8:24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
2Co_11:8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
2Co_11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
2Co_12:13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
Gal_1:2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
Gal_1:22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
1Th_2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
2Th_1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
Rev_1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Rev_1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Rev_1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Rev_2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Rev_2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Rev_2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Rev_2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Rev_2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev_3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev_3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev_3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev_22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Axehead
Jesus Christ knows them that are His according to 1 Tim 2:9
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
In all assemblies of Believers, there may be those who don't know the Lord and the Scriptures are clear about that, too. There is no name in the Bible for these Churches. They are just referred to in various ways as, "churches of God, churches of Christ, churches of the saints, churches of Asia, churches of Galatia", etc., etc.
The word "church" can also be used in the plural, denoting all believers as in:
Gal_1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
Here, Paul is speaking of persecuting believers in Christ, not necessarily a particular church in a specific city, since he traveled to different cities to persecute the CHURCH of GOD.
There is, overall, ONE CHURCH of the Living God, and this Church consists of members, or called out ones that are part of individual "little" churches (assemblies of believers) around the world. Again, the Lord knows them that are His (1 Tim 2:9).
An easy way to understand this is we have one physical body, but this body is made up of millions of cells. There would be no body without the individual cells within the body. And there are specific cells for specific things. Also, they are divided (they reside in different places of the Body as a whole).
The following scriptures illustrate this: Never once, was a specific, sectarian name given to the churches of God. They were referred to by region or city, only. Does that mean that anyone in a "named" denomination is lost? No, that is not correct at all. Since the basis of salvation is faith in Christ, not what human organization one is a member of. Stained glass windows don't keep Satan out and we should not think that they keep Jesus Christ out, either. The Spirit of God goes where He wills.
Act_9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Act_15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Act_16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Act_19:37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.
Rom_16:4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Rom_16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
1Co_7:17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
1Co_11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
1Co_14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
1Co_14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
1Co_16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
1Co_16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
2Co_8:1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2Co_8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
2Co_8:19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
2Co_8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
2Co_8:24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
2Co_11:8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
2Co_11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
2Co_12:13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
Gal_1:2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
Gal_1:22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
1Th_2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
2Th_1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
Rev_1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Rev_1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Rev_1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Rev_2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Rev_2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Rev_2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Rev_2:23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Rev_2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev_3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev_3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev_3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev_22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Axehead
