People organize every kind of religious institution and call it a church. Though they vary widely in doctrine and practice, each claims to be the “Lord’s” church. That cannot be true logically nor is it true biblically.

To identify a truly biblical church, we must go to the Bible and examine God’s definition of a church.

Transition

This evening we are going to focus our attention on definitions of church found in the Bible.

The Greek Word Ekklesia Defined

1. General meaning of ekklesia
   1. Ekklesia is a compound of two words, ἐκ (ek) = out of and καλέω (kaleō) = to call
   2. Thayer defines ekklesia as “a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly”.
   3. The word is found 115 times in 112 verses of the New Testament.
   4. In the Bible ekklesia is always translated “church” except for three times (Ac 19:32, 39, 41), where it is translated assembly, referring to a secular assembly.
   5. One time it refers to the assembly of Israel in the Old Testament.
   6. Acts 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
   7. The word “ekklesia” in itself does not explain who is meeting, but only that a group is to assemble.
2. Spiritual use of the word ekklesia
   1. Jesus used the word ekklesia to describe a united assembly of His followers (Mt 16:18).
   2. In this sense, it is a called out assembly of believers. This is how the word is used most of the time in the Bible.
   3. The Bible never uses the word to describe a building.

 The English Word Defined

1.  The word “church” does not truly describe ekklesia
   1. Etymology: Old English cir(i)ce, cyr(i)ce, related to Dutch kerk and German Kirche, based on medieval Greek kurikon, from Greek kuriakon (dōma) ‘Lord’s (house)’, from kurios ‘master or lord’. ^Google
   2. Ekklesia was never a building!
   3. The 1395 Wycliffe translation used the word “church” (chirche). But, the 1525 Tyndale version did not use it. Tyndale translated ekklêsia properly, as “congregacion”. Well, as was mentioned earlier, he used even the word “church” (churche) – two times, in Acts 14:13 and 19:37 which both refer to buildings connected to idol-worship. ^{http://www.biblepages.net/gg06.htm}
2. Assembly or congregation is more biblical.
   1. An accurate translation of ekklesia would be either assembly or congregation as it refers to the gathering of people not a building.
      Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done …
   2. Translating the word as “church” may not be evil, but we must remember what it truly means.

The Uses of Ekklesia in the New Testament

1. An ekklesia is a local congregation
   1. The word implies a local gathering. It cannot be a “called out assembly” without it being in a local place.
   2. Nearly all the 115 references to ekklesia in the New Testament clearly refer to a local congregation. For example:
      Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, …
      Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, …
      Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, …
      Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; …
      Acts 15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
      1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
      2 Corinthians 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
      Galatians 1:22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
2. An ekklesia is at times a representation of all ekklesia
   1. Sometimes the word ekklesia represents any local assembly. It speaks of no particular church, but it refers to any church or every church.
   2. This representation usage is common with many different words. For example:
      Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, …
      1. As used in this verse, marriage represents any and every marriage.
         Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
      2. As used in this verse, heart represents anyone’s and everyone’s heart.
   3. Here are a few examples of ekklesia used in this way.
      Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
      1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
      Philippians 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
      1 Timothy 3:5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
3. Some uses of ekklesia may be local or representative
   Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. [the local Ephesian church or any local church]
   Ephesians 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
   Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
   Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
   Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
   1. Ekklesia in these verses is often mistakenly called a “universal church”.
      1. This is a popular teaching. While this might sound nice, it does not fit the meaning of the word ekklesia.
         1. A universal, invisible church never assembles.
         2. It does not have a pastor or deacons.
         3. It never gathers for preaching, singing, or prayer.
         4. It never receives tithes or offerings nor supports missions.
      2. Verses thought to support this idea better describe the local or representation use of ekklesia.
   2. We must remember that Paul was writing to a local church. The word means a local called out assembly. How would the Ephesians know in what way Christ was the head of an invisible church, or how He loved an invisible church, or how marriage represents an invisible church? The typology is useless unless they applied it to their local congregation.
4. Once ekklesia speaks of a local church in heaven
   Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Conclusion: Tonight we have simply defined “church” or ekklesia as “a local called out assembly of believers.” It is always a local congregation or a representative of all local congregations. It is not a building. Trying to make ekklesia mean an invisible, universal church, does not fit the definition. Instead, it creates two different kinds of church and causes much confusion. If this is new to your thinking, ask God to help you understand it.

Song: I Have Decided – 397

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A Biblical Church Defined

20 October 2013 PM – Matthew 16:18 – Biblical Church – Scott Childs