The Church as a Community of Believers

Main Idea

The teaching discusses the concept of the Church as the community of believers, rather than merely a building made of stones.
Pope Shenouda III explains that every believer is like a living stone in the spiritual building of the Church, and that all believers together constitute the universal Church.
The Church is a holy place dedicated to God, and the believer is also a temple of God in whom the Holy Spirit dwells.
Just as the Church is a place of worship, prayer, and praise, the believer’s life should also be dedicated to worshipping God, with prayers rising before Him like incense.

Spiritual Message

The teaching emphasizes that the believer is called to be a light to others and a witness to God through his life, so that people may see the image of God in his conduct.
Just as the Church is a place of teaching, blessing, and salvation, the believer is also called to let his life become a means of teaching and blessing and to seek his own salvation.
The Church, as the community of believers, is the Body of Christ, and Christ is the Head; every believer is a member of this Body. Therefore, a person should conduct himself in a manner worthy of a member of the Body of Christ.

Educational Lesson

The teaching explains that the Church includes the Church Militant on earth and the Church Triumphant in heaven, and that all belong to the one Body of Christ.
It also explains that the Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, with one faith, one Lord, and one baptism, while there is diversity in gifts, services, and works without disagreement in faith.
It further emphasizes that the Church lives in holy communion, where its members cooperate and share together in one body, gathering around the mystery of the Eucharist and the Holy Table.

Practical Application

The teaching calls every believer to regard himself as a living member of the Body of Christ and to ask himself in every action: Is this action worthy of a member of the Body of Christ?
It also connects the earthly Church with the heavenly Church, explaining that what we see in the Church on earth points to the glory of the Church in heaven.
Finally, the teaching emphasizes that all believers participate in building the Church, and that this building continues until the Body of Christ is completed and all its members are gathered together.

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