Archive for the ‘The Church’ Category
The Church
Many people think of the church as a building. It may have a steeple, stained glass, wooden pews etc. or it may be a modern styled building that looks more like a Community Centre. Some think a church is an organisation ie Anglican, Baptist, Methodist or Roman Catholic to name but a few.
The Bible uses the Greek word ekklesia to define the church.
Ekklesia is not a word invented by Christians. It was a common Greek word used to describe any gathering together publicly for a specific purpose. In essence it means ‘the called together ones’ – those brought together in order to achieve something.
Some important things about the word ekklesia which help us understand what the church should be are as follows:
1) There are no spectators in an ekklesia, it is a gathering of active participants; 1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 26; What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
2) Ekklesia is not a religious event. It is a gathering of people with a common vision, purpose and aim. There is life and action in an ekklesia.
3) An ekklesia implicates movement. In the church’s case it is a calling of people out of darkness and into light; 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 9; But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
4) An ekklesia is a living organism. It is not a collection of individuals but a partnership of people joined together; Acts chapter 2 verses 42-47; And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
4) An ekklesia is not about geography it isn’t a building in a specified location. It’s people who come together.
5) The meeting place has no life of its own. Thus it’s the people who are crucial and vital – not the place.
Christ Jesus died for the church; Ephesians chapter 5 verse 25; Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
He will build His church; Matthew chapter 16 verse 18; And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
He will fill the earth with His glory and the heavenly places with His wisdom through the church; Habakkuk chapter 2 verse 14; For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
Ephesians chapter 3 verse 10; so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
So, the church is neither a building or an organisation but any group of active believers in Christ who meet together, to worship, praise and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
All scripture verses are from the ESV