The Church - Person, Place, or Thing?

I believe the entire body of Christians in the world is the Church. Jesus calls it the bride. But also he tells us not to forsake the assemblying of ourselves together. This is the time when we worship him and edify ourselves to go back out into the world.

Also the home movement of the church is OK but I wonder though. How would the lost know where to go if we didn’t meet at a public church?

I have a big problem about Christianity. It great to believe that Jesus died for everyone. The love; but if a person is going around preaching that being a christian is a must and at the same time doing harm to others how is it that I can follow that person. I don’t go to church but when I see a fellow brother or sister hungry I give them to eat. Or if they are cold I give them my coat. Am I domed to hell?? I how can I understand that? Jesus never judges any one but when one enters into a christian church my goodness mostly the women have to see me from top to bottom. Why is that? Do I have to make a curtain amount of money in order to be accepted?
From what I understand a christian follows the teaching of Jesus and teaching everyone his word with love but by hitting a child till they believe also is something that I do not understand? When I hear how some hard core christens with their bible in their hands and telling people that Islam is a faith that teaches about hate. Sorry!!! Christians are more full of hate because you hard core Christians are always preaching about doing good but you are not doing anything good!!! Judging people that they are going to hell, that God does not love them because they are fat! Please some one tell what is up with that!!!

This passage has been subject of extensive exegesis throughout church history. I favor this interptretation: Jesus Christ said in the original language what can be translated as follows: “you are petros (a stone) and upon this rock (reffering to himself as the big mountain “rock” from whence stones are mined) i will found my Church…”. I have read this interpretation and found the same convincing. Then, it follows, Jesus founds the Church upon himself and Simon, from thereof named Peter as if a newborn, is the first stone mined from the Jesus Church.

For me, this is sufficient and clear. The solid foundation, hence the rock or mountain, is Jesus and the mined material coming from Jesus are us, solid stones coming from the rock mountain. Simon, now Peter newly baptized and named by Jesus, is the first among the new stones which will be mined forever from him.
Coming from a “tekton” by trade, Jesus words are clear: he is in fact building a Church founded in him. In other passages, Jesus uses the image and metaphor of foundation in sand against foundation in solid ground. Thus, the foundational intention of Jesus is, for me, evident, clear and intent.