The CHURCH (ekklesia): "called-out assembly" of Christians

[Elin]

In light of the low view of God's Church prevalent among some today, it seems fitting to present the Biblical view of the Church.
It will include copious "addresses," so that like the Bereans, one may search the Scriptures to see if it is true (Ac 17:11).
And it will be comprehensive, so maybe it should be a study, rather than just a read.

So here 'tis.

"Contrary to popular opinion," the Bible has a very high view of the Church, presenting it as:

the called-out people of God, going back to Abraham
(Ge 12:1; Gal 3:7-8, 16, 29; Ro 4:16, 11:16-17; Eph 3:6, 1Pe 2:9-10),

the body of Christ and the singular vessel (Eph 2:11-22, 3:6), the one vine (Hos 10:1; Jn 15:5),

the one tree (Ro 11:17-24), the one fold (Jn 10:16), and new creation (Eph 2:14),

wherein God demonstrates the wisdom of his counsels, for the instructing of the angels
(Eph 3:10-11; cf 1Co 4:9, 11:10; 1Pe 1:12; 1Tim 5:21; Heb 1:;22; Lk 15:7).

It is the New Jerusalem, the holy city; Mount Zion, the holy mountain (Heb12:22),

the circumcision (Php 3:3), the Israel of God (Gal 6:16),

the chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation (1Pe 2:9), the seed of Abraham (Ro 4:11; Gal 3:29),

in whom God's eternal purpose from before the foundations of the world has been to prepare her as a bride, without spot or blemish, to present her radiant to the Lamb, his only begotten Son
(Eph 1:4-5, 5:25-32; Rev 19:7-8, 21:1-2, 9-14).

All of history and all of time are for this single eternal purpose of God--to prepare a bride for his Son.
The OT revealed the plan in types and shadows (Ge 18:18; Ex 15:17; Ps 45:9-15, 48:1-14; Is 2:2-3,
11:9, 24:23, 25:6-10, 26:1-2, 42:6, 55:3-5, 56:6-8, 60:1-22, 62:1-5, 65:1, 17-25, 66:20-24).

Christ secured the plan on the cross (Eph 5:23-25; Tit 2:14),

and the NT reveals the plan in full
(Ro 16:25-26; Eph 1:9-10, 3:3-6, 8-11, 5:32; Col 1:26-28, 2:2-3; Rev 10:7, 11:15, 16:17, 21:6).

So that all those not called to that single purpose (Ro 8:28-30; Eph 1:9-11, 3:10-11; Php 2:13;
2Tim 1:9); i.e.,
all those not included in the bride of the Lamb (aka, the Church, the body of Christ, the new creation,
Mount Zion, the New Jerusalem, the kingdom of God, the new creation) are eternally lost outsiders
(Ro 11:23; Rev 22:14-15; cf 1Co 6:9-10; Eph 5:5; Gal 5:19-21)
because they are not part of the eternal plan secured by the sacrifice of the Lamb
(Eph 1:22-23, 5:23-32; Ac 4:12).

In the light of Jesus' revelation (Heb 1:1-2), which is the NT given though his apostles, we learn that God has only one purpose in human history (Eph 1:8-11),
and that purpose is his Church, the Bride of the Lamb and the body of his Christ
(Eph 1:22-23, 2:11-22, 3:6; Col 1:16-20; Rev 11:15).

That Church is the goal of all his counsels
(Ro 8:30, 9:22-24--cf Ex 12:36; Dt 4:37-38; 1Chr 17:12-14; Pr 13:22, 21:18: Is 43:3-4; Rev 21:6),

the showcase of his wisdom (Eph 3:10-11) and the crown jewel of his new creation (Rev 21:1, 11, 18-21).

It alone is the true Temple (Eph 2:19-22) and the singular residence of his glory (Rev 21:22-23).

In the light of the Jesus' revelation, which is the NT, we see that the prophetic types; e.g.,

the promised land (Ge 17:8, 48:4),
the kingdom (2Sa 7:16,; Is 9:7),
Mount Zion, the holy mountain (Ps 68:16; Is 2:2, 24:23),
Jerusalem, the holy city (Jer 3:16-18; Rev 21),
the bride (Eze 16:32; Is 62:5; Jer 3:6-20),
the Temple (Eze 40-44; Zec 6:12-13),
the priesthood (Is 61:1-7, 66:19-21), etc.

have their completion in Christ, and in his body, the Church (2Co 1:20; Mt 12:28; Lk 17:21; Heb 12:22; 1Pe 2:5, 9-10),
either in time on earth, in eternity in the new creation, or both;

for the Church is that new creation both of time (2 Co 4:16, 5:17; Gal 6:15) and eternity (Rev 21:1, 4-8),
which is the restoring or renewal of the original creation (Ge 1:27 w/Col 3:10 & Eph 4:24 & Tit 3:5;
Ge 1:28 w/Mt 19:28 & 1Co 6:2-3; Ge 2:24 w/Mt 18:8-9; Ro 8:19-23 w/2Pe 3:12-13).

It is in the light of Jesus' revelation, the NT, that we see the marvelous uniity of the divine plan (Eph 4:4-6),
as well as of the whole Bible.

 

[Abiding]

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

 

[Abiding]

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

 

[Abiding]

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

 

[Abiding]

I better go before Elin finds me here
eating her cookies.

 

[Elin]

I better go before Elin finds me here
eating her cookies.

You coulda' left me at least one!

 

[Abiding]

I tried i really did

 

[Tommy4Christ]

I would like to include more on the true church so forgotten today:


The Church
Ekklēsia is the Greek word used in the New Testament over 116 times, translated in our English Bibles as ‘Church’. The word has NOTHING to do with stone buildings or sacred places of worship. It is a compound word meaning: ‘Ek’: Out from….’Ekklisia’ the called out. Thus the ‘Called out’.

The Greek word most closely related to ‘Church’ is kuriakos, used in 1Cor11:20 & Rev1:10, translated: ‘the Lord’s’ as referring to the Lord ’s Supper and the Lord’s Day. Meaning in the Greek: belonging to the Lord, related to the Lord. This word became associated with places of ‘Christian’ worship around 300AD under Roman Emperor Constantine. Up to that time the true followers of Jesus Christ were meeting in private homes, often in secret at night. WHY? Because in the Roman Empire there could be no private religion! It was against the law and considered conspiratorial to hold secret or private meetings in homes. This is why the Pagans often brought moral charges against the Christians accusing them of incest, cannibalism and unnatural practices.
(meetings in homes: Rom16:5, 1Cor16:19, Col4:15, Phil1:2, Acts2:46)

For those of you in the religious system ignorant of past history, Constantine was the Roman Emperor who granted religious tolerance in the land that brought an end to the bitter persecutions against Christians. This eventually led to the uniting of church and state, bringing the ‘Christian’ religion into great cathedrals of Rome. (considered sacred by the pagans) From that time forward an ‘Official’ religious system existed under the guise of Christianity blending together the idols, pagan beliefs and rituals of Roman culture. Officially you were either a ‘Catholic Christian’ or a ‘heretic’….branded foolish madmen, who should suffer chastisement and divine condemnation.

Essentially this turned the tables against the real Saints of God labeling them dangerous dissenters and has done so every since. The System now had full authority to persecute and legally murder their religious opponents. Thus is your explanation for all the religious blood letting throughout history and for the present religious establishment that exists in our (relatively) free society today.

The ‘Churches’ as they exist in our towns, villages and cities, in which so-called Christians claim to worship the One True God are simply an off-shoot of what happened in ancient Rome when the Pure Doctrine of Jesus Christ was nullified by the teachings of men. This is why the ‘Church’ has absolutely no similarity to the ‘Ekklesia’ of the Bible and also has no desire whatsoever to resemble it. They have their SYSTEM in place that serves the purpose of gathering humanity under a unified pattern of religion where anything goes and people can choose the ‘form’ that suits them best.

The establishment can still maintain a fabricated authority over attendees insisting they must submit to church leadership and remain in fellowship lest they abandon the faith. This enforces the fantasy in the minds of church goers that those who flee the System are angry runagates and devils better off gone rather than stirring up trouble in their midst. In olden times the ‘Church’ exercised domination over the people by the pretense of piety, the place of worship (they controlled) was consecrated of the Lord and dare not be blasphemed or defied. They may not be hunting down dissidents or burning anyone at the stake in our time, but TRY going among them to challenge their false doctrines and expose the sin! You will find out very quickly that non-compliance will NOT be tolerated.

A denominational church will use its entire governing body to see that you’re silenced and cast out of doors if necessary. More independent organizations will muster the governing board against you and see that you’re brought to shame in the eyes of the people. How different is that from excommunication or being branded a heretic by the religious establishment? The illegitimate ‘Church’ System STILL holds great sway over the gullible (professed) Christian public who fear being numbered among the rebellious. God’s greatest Prophets (including John the Baptist) always stood aloof of the religious system and were greatly out-numbered by the dominant forces. Elijah had to stand alone against 450 false prophets of Baal who had already gone out and slain hundreds of the Lord’s faithful. (1Kings19:12-21)

It’s really no surprise that those of us who Preach the Lord’s true Doctrine cannot buy or sell inside the religious system. (Rev13:17) The use of these words; ‘Buy & Sell’ in Revelation 13 are metaphorical. To Buy means the ability to Participate in a market place….To Sell translates as ability to Barter in a place. Are God’s true Messengers of Repentance and Faith Proven by deeds permitted to ‘Participate’ in the designated places of worship? Can they ‘Barter’ (the act or practice of carrying on a trade) among the ‘church’ people? BY NO MEANS…..because they have NOT taken on the Mark (which is the lust of the eye, flesh & pride of life!) but have CAST it away in the Crucifixion of the passions and desires of the flesh. (Rom6:4-6,Gal5:24)

That’s what has separated the ‘Ekklesia’ from the church since the beginning. When Saul (later Paul) made havoc of the church entering into every house dragging off men and women committing them to prison (Acts8:3) Obviously he was finding this ‘Ekklesia’ in the houses. He did not have to seek them out in the local synagogues or other official places of worship approved by the religious system. And the SAME holds true today….you will NOT find the ‘Called out ones’ partaking at the table of demons in a place of idolatry. (1Cor10:21)

Christ used this important Word when He said in Matt16:18 that upon this Rock I will build My Church. (Ekklesia) That is He would build His assembly on those called out of Darkness and Bondage into Light and Freedom from sin! (Acts26:18)
The Saints are NOT called to buildings set apart as sacred run by a religious establishment of celery with some kind of special privileges to Lord over people.
WHO is Greatest in the Kingdom of our Lord?

And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your servant. Matt20:27


But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matt23:11
Even the Ransom (redemption of Christ) is associated with this kind of Servitude:
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”Matt20:28
Jesus Served on the ‘Called out ones’ behalf in order to Redeem them from darkness to light from the power of Satan to God. That’s why His ‘Church’ is the ‘Chosen generation, the Royal priesthood, a holy nation of His own special people that may proclaim praises to Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous Light!’ 1Pet2:9. The Ekklesia is NOT the filthy ragged, desperately wicked, wretched, born depraved, chiefs of sinners sitting under the bondage of a religious system that rules over their minds and keeps them in ignorance. www.standingthegap.org

 

[Abiding]

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I better go before Elin finds me here
eating her cookies.

Those were elin's cookies? Why did you not tell me? I took the last one!!

 

[crossnote]

Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

 

[Elin]

I would like to include more on the true church so forgotten today:

The Church
Ekklēsia is the Greek word used in the New Testament over 116 times, translated in our English Bibles as ‘Church’. The word has NOTHING to do with stone buildings or sacred places of worship. It is a compound word meaning: ‘Ek’: Out from….’Ekklisia’ the called out. Thus the ‘Called out’.

The Greek word most closely related to ‘Church’ is kuriakos, used in 1Cor11:20 & Rev1:10, translated: ‘the Lord’s’ as referring to the Lord ’s Supper and the Lord’s Day. Meaning in the Greek: belonging to the Lord, related to the Lord.

I'm not sure how you arrived at kuriakos, when the word actually used by the apostolic NT writers
is ekklesia, whose literal meaning is "called-out assembly."

"The Greek word most closely related to 'Church' is ekklesia, the word actually used
by the apostolic NT writers.

Why are you trying to improve on apostolic usage and teaching?

The history you present has nothing to do with the Biblical meaning of ekklesia used by the apostles,
and translated "church" in English.

The ekklesia goes all the way back to called-out Abram
(Ge 12:1; Gal 3:7-8, 16, 29; Ro 4:16, 11:16-17; Eph 3:6; 1Pe 2:9-10),
which was the beginning of the people of God.

The ekklesia consists of those who are in Christ by grace through faith, Jew and Gentile alike.

There is what can be called the "visible" church, which includes the tares along with the wheat
(see parable of the wheat and the tares in Mt 13:24-30), and which look like the wheat.

And then there is what can be called the "invisible" church, which is only the wheat, but is "invisible"
because it is mixed in with the tares which look just like it, and the wheat can't be distinctively seen,
making it "invisible."

There have been tares among the wheat since the time of Christ (Mt 13:24-30),
the beginning of the church.
Tares are nothing new today.

Your representation of the historical church is unBiblical.
It is human thinking from the mind of man, rather than Biblical thinking from the teaching of Jesus
through his apostles.

No matter the state of the tares, Biblically the true ("invisible") church remains the same,
as the body of Christ, the one people of God.

Your human thinking causes you to see only the tares, and to libel the Church of God,
the body of his Christ, among the tares.

To come to a Biblical mind, you could do worse than to spend some time studying the Scriptures
presented in the OP.

 

[Abiding]

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith,one baptism, one God and Father of all who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

"Christ is the head of the church, and he is the savior of the body."

"Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted."

"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it."

"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."

 

[Andrewvast]

Each and every body in this world is connected with god by any medium. Just look to yourself and praise to god for this such a great life. I also follow the great bible teaching churches as i am living in Florida as churches like Tampa church,baptist church tampa. So, just confident on yourself and see the life is really beautiful.

 

[Elin]

Is the word Church a mistranslation from the original Greek New Testament text? And if this is mistranslated which I believe it is what is the correct translation?

I understand Ecclesia to mean the called out ones and Church is a building

this mistranslation of the word Church has got a psychological ploy that God resides in buildings instead of the believer so that when we get in trouble(s) we sub-consciusly go to Church and get advice from man instead of directly from God who resides in the believer's soul and not a building

Thanks.

So what bearing does "psychological" have on the truth of God?

Have you not ever gone to a store had a list and were only planning to get what was on your list and gotmany other things or a few other thingsthat were not on your list. Something drew you to that wors that said sale and you got it, and got it home and maybe sat on your self or put in a box and never used it
This happens to a majority of people, needs beyond what is reality are created in the human mind and we are drawn to a fake need that is not a need at all it is a want turned into a need psycologically
If you read get a book called the hidden persuaders. An eye opener
Anyway Church its true meaning no matter which way anyone slices, dices or cubes it means BUILDING period

Thanks for the explanation.

I think we've gotten to the bottom of what I was not understanding.

So you're saying that because the common understanding of the word "church" is "building,"
"church" is a mistranslation of ekklesia.

But Biblically, it matters not what the common understanding of a word is, for its meaning is taken from the Greek word used in the text.

The Greek meaning of ekklesia is "called-out assembly," which makes it the Biblical meaning of "church."

If its Biblical meaning is commonly misunderstood, we do not change the Bible, we educate to its Biblical meaning.

What is taking place here, is the meaning of the word "church" as "building" is being taken from outside the Bible, and imposed onto the Bible, and asserting that "church" is an incorrect translation.

That is backwards.

The meaning of "church" (ekklesia) comes from the Bible, where its meaning is "called-out assembly."
That is the Biblical meaning to be used when referring to "church."

Ekklesia could have been translated "flabberstat." It would still mean "called-out assembly."
We don't impose perceived English meanings from outside the Bible onto the English words used in the Bible.
The NT was written in Greek, and the English words used there mean what the Greek means--nothing more and nothing less.

So the Biblical meaning of "church" is "called-out assembly," it is not "building."
It is erroneous to state that the Biblical "church" means "building."

We are to take our understanding of things Biblical from Scripture, not from our own fancy regarding words.

Hoping this will help clear it up.

 

[cooterhein]

The Church is a means to an end. Broadly speaking, that end is twofold: First, to help non-Christians become Christians, and second, to help Christians become better Christians.

The Bible does have a high view of the Church. This, however, does not necessarily mean that the Church as a whole has always been very good at accomplishing both (or either) of those things at every single point in its history or in every single part of the world where Christians are. Nor does it mean there's one particular region in the world that is intrinsically the best at producing Christians who are the best at doing these things.

 

[Elin]

It's ek- meaning out, and klesia meaning called, right? Where is the word "assembly"?

Words are often not transliterations of their roots.

"Assembly" comes from its usage among the Greeks, and its usage in the NT.

1) From among the Greeks:
Ekklesia was commonly used among the Greeks as a body of citizens gathered to discuss the affairs of State, as in Ac 19:39.

2) From its usage in the NT, where it has two applications in Scripture in regard to Christians:

a) the whole company of the redeemed in the NT, of which Christ said, "I will build my Church (ekklesia)," (Mt 16:18),
and of which Eph 1:22, 5:23 state, "the Church (ekklesia) which is his body."

b) in the singular of Mt 18:17, "tell it to the church (congregation), it means a company consisting of professed believers (Ac 20:28; 1Co 1:2; Gal 1;13; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1;1; 1Tim 3:5,

and in the plural, it means churches in a district.

In Ro 6:23 Gaius is the host of the whole church, where the assembly was accustomed to meet in his house.

You can see why "sunagoge" was not used for Christian assemblies.

No, maybe you could explain it to me. Please cover why there is no command to attend the ekklesia in all scripture

Actually, there is:

Heb 10:25 - "Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves."
The Church is an assembly above, in 2b.

but Heb 10:25 says to attend the sungoge

No, it says to "assemble yourselves," which is how ekklesia is used above, in 2b.

Or maybe you could tell me why Paul tells the Corinthians to follow sunagoge behavior (augmented by the gifts, and the eucharist) in 1Co 12-14.

Now that's a stretch. Do we have the same Bible?

What is going on here?

There is no mention of "synagoge" in 1Co 12-14, but "church" (ekklesia) is used 10 times.

So why would you construe 1Co 12-14 to mean instructions about "sunagoge behavior," when it's about tongues, which were not even practiced in the synagoges?

This is bizarre.
I think maybe I've just uncovered what's driving this whole non-issue regarding the word "church."

It has something to do with "synagoge,"
it is evidently some kind of threat to the word "synagoge,"
so in order to remove this threat, the word "church" must be invalidated, discredited, negated,
and even misrepresented as meaning "synagogue" in 1Co 12-14.

So. . .just what is really going on here with this misrepresentation and non-issue of the word "church"?

 

[Elin]

The Church is a means to an end. Broadly speaking, that end is twofold: First, to help non-Christians become Christians, and second, to help Christians become better Christians.

The Bible does have a high view of the Church. This, however, does not necessarily mean that the Church as a whole has always been very good at accomplishing both (or either) of those things at every single point in its history or in every single part of the world where Christians are. Nor does it mean there's one particular region in the world that is intrinsically the best at producing Christians who are the best at doing these things.

Hi, cooterhein,

Yes, there is what can be called the "visible" church, which includes the tares along with the wheat
(see parable of the wheat and the tares in Mt 13:24-30), and which look like the wheat.

And then there is what can be called the "invisible" church, which is only the wheat, but is "invisible"
because it is mixed in with the tares which look just like it, and the wheat can't be distinctively seen,
making it "invisible."

There have been tares among the wheat in the "visible" church since the time of Christ (Mt 13:24-30).

And it is the "visible" church that is in so much trouble today, and seems to be just getting worse.

But the "invisible" church among the tares is doing just fine, for it is God's church, and his Son is the Good Shepherd shepherding it.

 

[Abiding]

the invisible church is squared away.
cookies for the teacher

 

[Enow]

As we are called out from the world in representing Him as standing apart from the works of darkness, if a church fails to reprove the works of darkness within, then how can believer that wish to be found abiding in Him not be called out of an errant church?

2 Corinthians 6:[SUP]14 [/SUP]Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? [SUP]15 [/SUP]And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? [SUP]16 [/SUP]And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. [SUP]17 [/SUP]Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. [SUP]18 [/SUP]And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

I keep wondering when the Lord will lead me out of christian forums completely.... seeing how many are speaking different things and not minding the same things at all for which is the reason why we cannot say that we have "fellowship" here. It is more like an outreach in mayhap some vain attempt to keep the faith in these latter days in the hopes that He may be peradventuring to recover some from the snares of the devil when all He really wants is for me to withdraw & wait for Him.

I hope in Him that He will direct my footsteps in the way He wants me to go because living the christian life is beyond me and so by the grace of God, go I, as i rest in Him in hope.