Church

A church is an association of people who share a particular belief system, particularly used in Christianity. The Christian concept "Church" (Greek εκκλησία — ekklesia, ref. Strong's Concordance — 1577) is mentioned in the New Testament, of the 114 occurrences. The Greek term εκκλησία — ekklesia, which literally means a "convocation", was a governmental and political term, used to denote a national assembly.

Sourced

• And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.
  • Mt 16:18, Revised Standard Version, English translation from Greek.
  • Recorded as words of Jesus Christ(-33?) in Koine Greek. Original saying however may have been in the Aramaic language which was spoken widely in Palestine at that time.
  • The analysis of this passage has been disputed between Rome Catholic and other denominations.

• Είς μίαν, αγίαν, καθολικήν καί αποστολικήν Έκκλησίαν. (Original: Greek)
  • Translaiton: [We believe] In one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
  • Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed , 381

• Wir haben also als Missverständnis: […] eine kirchliche Ordnung, mit Priesterschaft, Theologie, Cultus, Sakramenten; kurz, alles das, was Jesus von Nazareth bekämpft hatte. (Original: German)
  • Translation: We therefore have a misunderstanding: [...] a church order with priesthood, theology, cult and sacraments; shortly, everything Jesus of Nazareth fought against.
  • Friedrich Nietzsche, Nachlass, KSA 13: 11[295]

• It is important to know that the word “church” literally means the assembled ones or the ones gathered together. It does not refer to a building, but to people. In other words, the church is not a building, it’s a community. It’s a community brought together by the one thing we all hold in common, a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This is the very foundation of the church. That is what unites us and absolutely nothing can divide us from gathering in His kingdom. So, no matter who you are or where you are from; no matter what language you speak or what clothes you wear; you are welcomed in the community of The First Cathedral – the church for all people.
  • Archbishop LeRoy Bailey Jr., Senior Pastor The First CathedralThe First Word June 2006

• "If you consider yourself a black church or a white church, you've missed it, said.God wants us to be all things to all People'- Archbishop LeRoy Bailey Jr., Senior Pastor The First Cathedral in an intervierw printed in The Hartford Courant; March 5th, 2005

• There is no family in America without a clock, and consequently there is no fair pretext for the usual Sunday medley of dreadful sounds that issues from our steeples. ~ Mark Twain

Unsourced

• My heart is my church.
  • Thomas Paine
• The church is always trying to get other people to reform; it might not be a bad idea to reform itself a little, by way of example.
  • Mark Twain