Christ’s church goes by many, many different names in this day and time. The signs in front of Christian churches testify to the countless denominations that exist as well as thousands of independent or non-denominational groups. Christ’s church may indeed be hard to identify with a sign.
Wikipedia defines a Christian denomination as a “distinct religious body within Christianity, identified by traits such as a name, organization and doctrine.” According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, there were approximately 45,000 Christian denominations worldwide.
How Scripture answers "What is Christ’s church called?"
Scripture makes reference to Christ’s church in several ways. It’s referred to as the “church of God”1271011, the “household of God”4, the “household of faith”9, the “church of Christ”5, and possibly “the Way”8. However, it is most often referred to as simply the “church at [location]”36.
In fact, it may be more important (or at least more telling) to note that Christ’s church is never explicitly named one thing in Scripture (unlike, for example, what disciples were called in Acts 11:26). Instead, we find several descriptors or qualifiers around simply “the church”12345678.
Answer built on scripture-blocks below
From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul and Timothy address the church in Corinth, along with all the saints in greater Achaia, with the greeting of grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth. Later in the letter he describes receiving Titus’s encouraging report about their response (7:5-16).
Applying 2 Corinthians 1:1-2 to this question...
Paul refers to the Corinthian church as the church of God.
He makes the same reference in 1 Corinthians (1:2 and several more times in the letter).
For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.
[Paul’s] life in Judaism was well known, that he viciously persecuted the church of God and wanted to destroy it.
Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia – churches that he had established not too long ago on his first missionary journey (Acts 13-14). He is astonished by their quick turning from the gospel due to, in particular, “Judaizing teachers” that required Gentiles to be circumcised (affectively, accepting Judaism) before becoming, or in order to become, a Christian. This was a significant issue throughout first-century Christianity and almost immediately becomes a problem after Paul’s first journey to Galatia (Acts 15). Apparently, there was a “stigma” cast on Christians that had not been Jews first – or not part of the “circumcision party” (2:12), and even Peter is somewhat affected by this teaching (2:11-14).
Applying Galatians 1:13 to this question...
Paul referred to the church (not one location in particular) as the church of God.
And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: “The words of Him who has the sharp two-edged sword.”
A letter to the church at Pergamum, the third of seven letters written to the seven churches of Asia from Jesus.
Applying Revelation 2:12 to this question...
One of the seven churches is referred to by Jesus as simply the “church in [location].”
We see this same naming with the six other churches in Revelation 2:1, 2:8, 2:18, 3:1, 3:7, and 3:14.
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
I [Paul] hope to come to you soon, but I am writing so that, if I am delayed, you will know how one ought to behave in God’s household, which is the church of the living God—a pillar and buttress of the truth.
Paul’s letter to a young preacher, Timothy, while preaching at the church in Ephesus. Beginning back in chapter 2, he gives instruction for all saints everywhere (2:1-7) before tackling specific roles in the local church: men (2:8), women (2:9-15), elders (vss 1-7), and deacons (vss 8-13).
Applying 1 Timothy 3:14-15 to this question...
Paul refers to the church as the “household of God.”
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
Greet each other with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.
Paul’s closing in his letter to the church in Rome.
Applying Romans 16:16 to this question...
Paul refers to all of the local, individual congregations as the “churches of Christ.”
And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Saul agreed with killing him, and on the same day persecution began against the church in Jerusalem. As a result, all the Christians scattered throughout Judea and Samaria except for the apostles who remained in Jerusalem. The death of Stephen was mourned while Saul continued persecuting the church, taking Christians from their homes and imprisoning them.
The church has grown in Jerusalem since the Day of Pentecost along with opposition from the Jewish leaders. Stephen, a Deacon in the church, has just been arrested and stoned.
Applying Acts 8:1-3 to this question...
The only congregation at this point in time is referred to as the “church in Jerusalem.”
Later, we see in Acts 13:1 (“church at Antioch”), Romans 16:1 (“church at Cenchreae”) and Colossians 4:16 (“church of Laodicea”).
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Watch out for yourselves and the entire church. The Holy Spirit made you caretakers of the church of God which he purchased with the blood of his Son.
Paul is meeting with the elders of the church in Ephesus on the beach before boarding a ship back to Jerusalem. He is returning from his third missionary journey and does not expect he will see them again.
Applying Acts 20:28 to this question...
Paul refers specifically to the congregation meeting in Ephesus as the “church of God.”
And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.
Paul (and company) preached in the synagogue for three months about the kingdom of God. However, some were stubborn, refused to believe and spoke out publicly against “the Way.” As a result, Paul and the disciples left them (the Jews in the synagogue) and preached everyday in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
Paul has travelled to Ephesus in the midst of his third missionary journey. He remains in Ephesus preaching for two years (vs 10). “God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands,” (vs 11) and the success of the gospel was known throughout so that “a great disturbance took place concerning the Way.” (vs 23)
Applying Acts 19:8-9 to this question...
Twice in the text, Luke refers to the believers in Ephesus as “the Way” – although it’s not entirely clear if that is referencing the specific group meeting in Ephesus or the Christ movement that was sweeping the region/world at the time.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Therefore, we must not grow weary in doing good works. If we don’t give up first, we will receive our reward in due time. As a result, whenever we have a chance we should do good to everyone but especially those brethren in the church.
Throughout the letter, Paul has been encouraging Christians in the churches of Galatia to resist false teachers and remain faithful to their calling in Christ Jesus. As he closes, he is imploring them to work together and help each other spiritually (vs 1), pointing out they all are subject to temptation (vs 1) and should not be arrogant in their spirituality (5:26).
The call not to grow weary in doing good follows in verse 9.
Applying Galatians 6:9-10 to this question...
Paul refers to the broader church (sometimes referred to as the “universal church” vs the “local church”) as the “household of faith”.
Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.
Therefore we boast about you in the churches of God for your endurance and faith in spite of your many persecutions and afflictions.
Paul’s second letter to the church in Thessalonica.
Applying 2 Thessalonians 1:4 to this question...
Paul refers to all of the other local congregations as “churches of God”.
For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,
You brethern became just like the other churches of God in Christ Jesus that are around Judea by suffering the same things from your countrymen men that they did from the Jews.
In Paul’s extended introduction to the “church of the Thessalonians” (1:1), he is recalling the events around their first hearing Paul bring them the gospel (Acts 17 during his second missionary journey).
Applying 1 Thessalonians 2:14 to this question...
Paul refers to other local congregations as “churches of God in Christ Jesus“.
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