SPOILER ALERT: The phrase “church family” is NOT found in scripture. 

The word “church” is there. 108 times the NASB translates “ekklesia” as “church”. Almost every New Testament book contains the term. The word means “assembly” and has an understanding of a people who are called out of one thing to assemble for another.

  • Matthew 16:18 reads, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
  • Acts 9:31 reads, “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.”
  • Romans 16:16 reads, “Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.”

However, “church family” is NOT found in scripture.

The word “family” is there. There are three words that are used to describe family. 7 times the word can be translated from 3 different words. There is the word “patrian” which means “family”, “linage” or “people”. There is “genon” which means “nation”, “people”, “class”, or “kind”. Then there is “oikon” the word which means “house”.

  • Acts 13:26 reads, “Brethren, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent”. 
  • Ephesians 3:14-16 reads, “For this reason I bend my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner 1self,
  • 1 Timothy 5:4 reads, “Honor widows who are widows indeed; but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.

However, “church family” is NOT found in scripture.

Then we have Galatians 6:10 which reads, “So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. 

Who is this household of faith? While the term “church family may not be in the scriptures the principle is certainly found and especially in this verse. Remember the basic structure of ancient life was built about the family household. During ancient times both Jewish and Gentile households included not only immediate family members but stretched to a wide range of relatives. 

Believers in Christ need to remember that the household of faith are those whom we are related to because of the common bond uniting us into the family of God. God is our father by adoption. Romans 8:15 reads, “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry out “Abba! Father!”

Believers in Christ need to remember that the church is not something that you go to it is a family you belong to. A family that loves, shares, cares and takes care of each other. We be family. 

I love my church family and I am so thankful for you. How about you? Do you feel the same?

Alex