Did you know that the original Greek shows that we’ve translated the word “Church” incorrectly? nt Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:”Cambria Math”; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:””; margin-top:0cm; margin-right:0cm; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:”Calibri”,”sans-serif”; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} .MsoPapDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; margin-bottom:10.0pt; line-height:115%;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –> (Especially in the KJV which was written under King James’ strict direction who had a bias towards a hierarchical and unscriptural form of church government.)
In Matthew 16:18 it says He’ll build His Church… the Greek word is “Ekklesia”. Which actually properly translated means, “Assembly” or “Congregation”.
“Ekklesia” does not refer to a ‘universal’ or ‘invisible church’, it has a limited meaning of referring to a congregation of person assembled together in one geographical location for a specific purpose.
It’s from the root word that means, “Call out” and it is used to refer to a group of persons that are organized together for a particular cause and purpose and who meet together. “An assembly of citizens summoned together by the legislative assembly”.
I found out that this word is mentioned 115 places in the New Testament – make sure you understand that it is not used to refer to secular fellowships in New Testament times.
Paul understands “ekklesia” as the living, assembled congregation (1 Cor 15:4,12,19,23,28). It’s only in the meeting and living together of the members that love described in 1 Cor. 13 as the supreme gift, can be made real, just as it is in this way that the other God-given gifts can be recognized and acknowledged.
It exists in an actual definable geographical location. (Acts 9:31; 1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 1:2; 1 Thess 1:1)
The “ekklesia” that Christ established had organization. It met together, had pastors, prophets, teachers, evangelists and apostles. It took communion and broke bread together (the Lord’s Supper), it baptized new converts into its assembly, it supported missions, administered and edified the members of the church.
It’s a place of accountability, encouragement, hospitality and a place where the truth is modelled. A community. A local family. A geographical place of security. A gathering together of people for one purpose, with unity and compassion and where all contribute to the whole. A place of liberty and freedom. Is there anywhere else your giving results in eternal good?
It’s the last place that we should ignore.
In all of this remember what Christ said in Matthew 16:18, “I also say to you that you Peter (Petros-a piece of rock), and upon this rock (Petra-the huge, main rock – “this” was the belief in Peter’s heart – the revelation – and the confession of his mouth) I will build My church (ekklesia); and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”
The project is Christ’s, “I will build it”. Never stoop to think that you are the key to the church’s continuation. It’s His. He originated it, He is the architect of it and He will sustain it. The church belongs to Him, “My church”. He is its head, Master and He is its security and defence, “the gates of Hell will not provail”. The church will survive whether you like it or not, whether you support it or not. It will never disappear.
I encourage you to raise your level of appreciation for it today!
As a pastor’s family, we’ve gone through this realization. I have had many talks with my sweetie (the pastor guy) about this. If often feels like we’ve gotta get it right, like the whole of what’s happening in the church is on the pastor’s (staff’s) shoulders.
We really had to acknowledge that only Christ could work in people’s hearts, that only Christ could do certain things to move the church forward.
It’s both freeing and a bit weird to acknowledge that. Freeing, because we know its not all about US, and weird because it requires that as a body we’re paying attention to what Christ is telling us to do.
Sometimes there are personal agendas at play in the church – I always pray that they would be laid aside by those who hold strongly to them, and that only the Lord’s purpose would be the focus.
Thanks for this post, Shash!