Why is the church significant in God's plan?

The church serves as the focal point of God's redemptive plan, established upon Christ as its cornerstone. In Ephesians 2:19-22, believers are portrayed as being built together into a holy temple in the Lord. Rather than a mere organization, the church embodies the living representation of Christ on earth, where believers gather to worship, grow in faith, and fulfill the Great Commission. God's commitment to His church is seen in the way He assures that the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18), confirming its essential role in eternal purposes.