The Importance of Church

The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

…to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. …

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.