I believe that "the church" is not a building or an organization or a creed but is in essence an organism, the Body of Christ (Eph 4:12, Col 1:18), with Christ as the Head of the Body (Col 1:18, Eph 1:22, 23), and individual members of His Body, the Church composed of men and women called out of the domain of darkness (Col 1:13) by God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation (Rev 5:9, out of darkness 1Pe 2:9) unto salvation. I believe that only regenerate (Titus 3:5) men and women, both Jew and Gentile (Eph 3:6, "formerly far off" = Gentiles Eph 2:13, 14, Ep 2:15, 16, Ep 2:17, 18, cp Gal 3:28, 29), compose the true church and that the true church does not include unsaved individuals (Acts 2:41, 47). Jesus predicted the church in (Mt 16:18), and Pentecost was the inception of the church (Acts 2:1, 2, 3, 4ff). I believe that the church at its inception was composed of Jews but Gentiles later became "fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the Corner Stone, in Whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord in Whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit (Eph 2:19, 20, 21, 22). I believe that the NT Scriptures also teach that "church" can refer to a local assembly of believers (eg, Col 4:15,16, cp Acts 2:42, 14:23, Re 1:4). I believe that the church is the bride of Christ, which will live and reign with Him throughout all eternity (Ep 5:31, Ep 5:32; Rev 19:7). I believe that the church is entrusted with the mission of world evangelization during this age (Mt 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8).