"Church" is the translation of the Greek term "ekklesia", which literally means assembly, congregation, or meeting. In the New Testament it is used to identify the group or community of believers in Jesus Christ.
An important to note also that in the New Testament the Church is not referred to any building, temple, chapel, or any meeting place.
In Acts 8: 3 we read that Luke the writer of the book of Acts distinguished the church from a building (house)
Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
The term always referred to the Christian assembly and was used for both the local community of believers and the overall collection of Christians.
Church as a local community:
Revelation 1:11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
Revelation 2:1 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:"
Church as a universal collection of believers in Jesus Christ:
Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church [a]of God which He purchased with His own blood.
Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
1 Corinthians 12: 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
