For most people, “church” is one of those stain-glassed words. It conjures up images of dank buildings, organ music, choirs and clergy and a mix of memories from our past. The typical use of the word “church” is a far cry of the biblical use of the word. For one thing, church buildings didn’t even exist in the early church. What is the “right” definition of church?
One problem is that we have worked with faulty or incomplete definitions of “church”.
– We have defined church as buildings where people meet to worship God.
– We have defined church as people. Although this is true, the “church” isn’t just people. It has to do with particular people.
– Ekklesia. This is the Greek word for “church” is a good place to start a study. This is the word translated "church" in the Greek New Testament.
For ancient Greeks, this word was used to refer to “the convened assembly of the people” of the city (i.e. Athens). The ekklesia consisted of all the citizens of the city who had not lost their civil rights. Their decisions had to conform to the laws of the state, but, within that framework, its powers were unlimited. It elected and dismissed its officials, it declared war, it made peace, it made treaties and alliances, it elected military officers, it was responsible for all military operations, it set budgets…
Its meetings always began with prayer and sacrifice.
It was a true democracy.
Its two great watchwords were “equality” and “freedom”
Within the assembly everyone had an equal right and an equal duty to participate.
SO, when God inspired His Word and the word ekklesia was used by early Christians, they would have had a definition and an expectation that was influenced by the common use of that term.
But now, this new ekklesia, wasn’t an assembly of the citizens of a city, but instead was understood to be “God’s assembly” of His people. The convener and the leader of the Church is God Himself.
Some have broken down the Greek word ekklesia, and have said that it means “called out ones”. Although this is a literal break-down of the word, it is not how the word is used. It is not a word that emphasized exclusivity. Yes, God calls out to people to join the ekklesia of God, but His call is universal – but it is up to people to respond and to join the ekklesia of God. The church is a group of people who summoned by God to meet together.
The church is a body of people, assembling not by choice (primarily), but assembling because God has called them to himself – they gather to worship, and to respond to Him.
In the NT the church refers to all of the following: the universal church, a local church, as well as the assembly of believers in any place who meet together for worship.
Within Greco-Roman culture, an ekklesia of citizens always understood it was part of the State governance. Within the Church, a local gathering always must understand that they are one part of a great unity (all Christians).
As a part of the Church of the living God, we have both rights and responsibility. We are invited to assemble together for worship, to receive direction, and to respond to Jesus Christ who is called the “head” of the Church.
More could be said on this topic, but I thought the historical background of this word would be of interest to some.
One problem is that we have worked with faulty or incomplete definitions of “church”.
– We have defined church as buildings where people meet to worship God.
– We have defined church as people. Although this is true, the “church” isn’t just people. It has to do with particular people.
– Ekklesia. This is the Greek word for “church” is a good place to start a study. This is the word translated "church" in the Greek New Testament.
For ancient Greeks, this word was used to refer to “the convened assembly of the people” of the city (i.e. Athens). The ekklesia consisted of all the citizens of the city who had not lost their civil rights. Their decisions had to conform to the laws of the state, but, within that framework, its powers were unlimited. It elected and dismissed its officials, it declared war, it made peace, it made treaties and alliances, it elected military officers, it was responsible for all military operations, it set budgets…
Its meetings always began with prayer and sacrifice.
It was a true democracy.
Its two great watchwords were “equality” and “freedom”
Within the assembly everyone had an equal right and an equal duty to participate.
SO, when God inspired His Word and the word ekklesia was used by early Christians, they would have had a definition and an expectation that was influenced by the common use of that term.
But now, this new ekklesia, wasn’t an assembly of the citizens of a city, but instead was understood to be “God’s assembly” of His people. The convener and the leader of the Church is God Himself.
Some have broken down the Greek word ekklesia, and have said that it means “called out ones”. Although this is a literal break-down of the word, it is not how the word is used. It is not a word that emphasized exclusivity. Yes, God calls out to people to join the ekklesia of God, but His call is universal – but it is up to people to respond and to join the ekklesia of God. The church is a group of people who summoned by God to meet together.
The church is a body of people, assembling not by choice (primarily), but assembling because God has called them to himself – they gather to worship, and to respond to Him.
In the NT the church refers to all of the following: the universal church, a local church, as well as the assembly of believers in any place who meet together for worship.
Within Greco-Roman culture, an ekklesia of citizens always understood it was part of the State governance. Within the Church, a local gathering always must understand that they are one part of a great unity (all Christians).
As a part of the Church of the living God, we have both rights and responsibility. We are invited to assemble together for worship, to receive direction, and to respond to Jesus Christ who is called the “head” of the Church.
More could be said on this topic, but I thought the historical background of this word would be of interest to some.
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