What does the Bible say about the nature of the church?

The church is fundamentally God's work, as stated in 1 Corinthians 3:9, where the Apostle Paul emphasizes that believers are God's husbandry and His building. The church is not merely a man-made institution; rather, it reflects God's plan and purpose in gathering His elect from across the world. It signifies a collective body of believers called out from the world to serve and worship God together, as seen throughout scripture. Paul underscores that it is God who provides growth and increase in the community of believers through Christ, highlighting both the grace of God in establishing the church and the unity that should exist among its members.