What is the church?
Is it a religious institution? A pulpit and a gathering place of people who share their Christian faith in one God? We often hear questions like: Are you a Christian? What church do you attend? But beyond these familiar phrases lies a deeper, more powerful identity. The church is not a religious institution; it is God’s ruling class on earth.
The first time Jesus introduced the Church in Scripture was in Matthew 16:18, when He said to Peter:
“You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
Jesus wasn’t talking about a building or a religious denomination. “This rock” referred to Peter’s confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). This revealed truth became the foundation of the Church.
The Church isn’t a building; the church is you! It’s anyone who carries the truth of Christ within, not because of a denomination or religious label, but because of divine identity and purpose. You know your past doesn’t define you, because in Christ, there’s no condemnation (Romans 8:1). You embody both royalty and humility. You walk in freedom and authority, and live a life rooted in love.
How is the church the ruling class?
When Jesus said, “I will build my Church,” the word He used was ekklesia – a Greek term meaning “called-out assembly.” In ancient Greek city-states like Athens, the ekklesia was a governing body, like today’s senate or parliament.
So, when Jesus used this term, He wasn’t just describing a place of worship; He was establishing a governing assembly of His kingdom.
“…and the government shall be upon His shoulders.” — Isaiah 9:6
“…and His kingdom shall never end.” — Luke 1:33.
From Antioch to Today: A Kingdom for All
In Acts 11, it was in Antioch that believers were first called Christians. This marked a turning point: the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit were now being shared freely with Gentiles as well as Jews. Antioch was a prototype of inclusion. It showed us that the Kingdom of God is accessible to everyone—regardless of race, background, history, religion, your past, your present circumstance, or social status.
To be a Christian is to be Christ-like—a return to God’s original design in Genesis 1:26:
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion…”
We are not merely human. We are partakers of God’s divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), spiritual beings with the capacity to do extraordinary things through relationship with God.
The Ruling Class: Walking in Dominion
As believers, we are kings and priests (1 Peter 2:9). A king rules over their territory; a priest relates directly with God. In Christ, we are both—positioned to rule on earth through a relationship with heaven.
Jesus gave us the keys of the Kingdom (Matthew 16:19). Keys represent authority. This means we have: Spiritual authority to bind and loose. Territorial authority to rule over spaces God has assigned to us—homes, classrooms, offices, cities.
“I have given you authority… over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” — Luke 10:19
What Does This Mean Practically?
Whether you’re a teacher, doctor, student, or asset manager, being part of the Church means:
- Ruling in your sphere with excellence, integrity, and spiritual awareness.
- Praying boldly over your workplace, your home, your nation.
- Influencing culture, not being conformed by it.
- Serving with intentionality, reflecting heaven’s values on earth.
“Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.” — Psalm 2:8
Living as the Church: The Daily Call
How can we walk in this kingdom authority?
- Know the Word — It’s your kingdom constitution.
- Pray daily — That’s your communication with the King of kings.
- Grow spiritually — Your maturity determines your capacity to govern.
- Serve excellently — That’s your testimony to the world.
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33
Conclusion: Be the Church, Rule with Christ
You are not just a believer—you are the Church, God’s governing body on earth. You have been given authority to shape culture, transform systems, and bring heaven to earth.
Whether you’re writing emails, treating patients, managing portfolios, or teaching children—do it as a ruler, not a bystander. Represent Christ in every space. Speak with boldness, act with wisdom, lead with grace.
We don’t wait for the world to change—we are the change. The church is not a place where believers gather to hide and wait for heaven. Rather, the church is your call to bring heaven into the spaces you occupy on earth.
Consider Moses on Mount Horeb – where he encountered God, he transformed from an ordinary shepherd to a powerful leader, who led his people out of slavery into their inheritance.
Think of Jacob at Peniel – where after wrestling with God, he transformed from a fleeing fugitive to a wealthy father of nations.
The church is the awakening to your true identity, the place of transformation from the ordinary to the extraordinary. It is the assembly of heaven on earth.
The church is not just a gathering place, but a governmental body and a lifestyle to be lived out in culture, business, education, media, politics and beyond. Every believer is the Church, and we are equipped with knowledge, empowered by spiritual gifts, and marked with Kingdom identity; not to blend in, but to take over the earth with love, truth, and authority.
The church is not defined by the divide between religious denominations – Catholic or Protestant, orthodox or unorthodox. It is defined by the presence of God, the revelation of Christ, and the transformation of lives.
We seek, we know, we ask, we push—and we rule.
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