A local church is normally defined as a local assembly of all who profess faith and allegiance to Christ. Most often, the Greek word ekklesia is used in reference to the local assembly (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 11:8).
Kanisa la nyumbani kwa kawaida hufafanuliwa kama mkutano wa wale wote wanaodai imani na utii kwa Kristo. Mara nyingi neno la Kigiriki, ekklesia, limetumika katika kumbukumbu ya mkutano wa nyumbani (1 Wathesalonike 1:1; 1 Wakorintho 4:17, 2 Wakorintho 11:8).