The church is not a building but a people, living stones built together for an habitation of God, the body of which Christ is the head. Scripture calls believers not to forsake the assembling of themselves together, but to exhort one another, to bear one another's burdens, and to grow up into Him in all things. These passages show what the church is and why she matters.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Peter: this name signifies a rock
See also: Ephesians 2:19 · 1 Corinthians 3:9 · Isaiah 28:16 · Colossians 1:18
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
See also: Acts 2:42 · 1 Thessalonians 5:11 · Matthew 18:20
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, from...: or, at home 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
See also: Hebrews 10:25 · Acts 1:14 · 1 John 1:3 · Acts 2:46
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
See also: Philippians 3:20 · 1 Peter 2:4 · 1 John 3:1
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Gentiles: Gr. Greeks 14 For the body is not one member, but many.
See also: Romans 12:4 · Colossians 3:15 · 1 Corinthians 12:27 · Ephesians 4:5
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. schism: or, division 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
See also: Ephesians 4:12 · Ephesians 5:30 · 2 Corinthians 13:11 · Romans 12:15
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. in...: or, among all
See also: Ephesians 1:22 · Revelation 1:5 · Ephesians 4:15 · 1 Corinthians 15:20
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: in: or, into stature: or, age
See also: Jeremiah 3:15 · 1 Corinthians 12:28 · Ephesians 2:20 · 2 Timothy 4:5
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
See also: 1 Peter 3:7 · Colossians 3:19 · Ephesians 5:28 · Hebrews 10:22
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
See also: 1 Corinthians 5:4 · Matthew 7:7 · Revelation 21:3 · 1 John 5:14
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: peculiar: or, purchased praises: or, virtues 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
See also: Exodus 19:5 · Deuteronomy 7:6 · Revelation 1:6 · Revelation 5:10
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
See also: 1 Corinthians 12:27 · 1 Corinthians 12:12 · 1 Corinthians 12:20 · Ephesians 4:15
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
See also: 1 Peter 5:2 · 1 Timothy 4:16 · 1 Peter 1:18 · Isaiah 40:11
1 [A Song of degrees of David.] Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! together...: Heb. even together
See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10 · 1 Peter 3:8 · John 13:35 · Hebrews 13:1
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
See also: Colossians 1:18 · John 1:16 · Colossians 2:10