Ekklesia

Ekklesia
God’s concept of ‘church’ I. Introduction
II. Greek Word Study
III. Scriptures
IV. Observations
V. Final Thoughts
VI. Discussion Questions
VII. References

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.
- Matthew 16:18
I. Introduction II. Greek Word Study
What comes to mind when you read the following word…church? A
building? A choir? A pastor? Worship music? Hypocrisy? An offering Ekklesia
plate? Steeples? Christians? Scandals? Suits and dresses? In our (ek-klay-see’-ah)
current culture, church is very a broad concept that carries many
different meanings to many different people. However, what is
ultimately essential for Christians to embrace is God’s concept of Word Origin
‘church’.
From a compound of Ek (‘out of’) and Kaleo (‘to call’)1
The goal of this study is to strip away our preconceived notions of
‘church’ and build a truly biblical concept of church. This is not to Definition
say that our preconceived notions of church are wrong, but they
should be backed up with Scripture and notions that are not biblical 1. Those who are called out2
should be questioned and possibly discarded if they oppose 2. An assembly of Christians gathered for worship3
Scripture. 3. Those who [regardless of location] are united into one body
4. The whole body of Christians scattered throughout the world
Whenever you see the word ‘church’ in the Scriptures it is 5. The assembly of faithful Christians already dead and
translated from the Greek word Ekklesia which occurs 111 times in received into heaven
the New Testament. There are hundreds of Scriptures that directly 6. The members of the Christian community on earth or saints
and indirectly allude to the Ekklesia; however, this study focuses in heaven or both
only on Scriptures that contain the Greek word Ekklesia. The 7. The Ekkletoi (those called out) constitute the Ekklesia
rationale behind this decision is that this is a Greek word study on a. Ekkletoi derives from Ekkaleo (to call out)
Ekklesia and not a comprehensive topical study on the Body of b. Ekklesia was a common term for a congregation of
Christ (Ekklesia) which is beyond the scope of a Greek Word Study. the Ekkletoi
8. The Christian community was designated for the first time
Section II of this study is an in-depth Greek Word Study of as Ekklesia to differentiate it from the Jewish community
Ekklesia. Section III is a collection of all 111 Scriptures that contain (Sunagoge) in Acts 2:47
the Greek Word Ekklesia. As you study these Scriptures, it is vitally 9. Ekklesia denotes the N.T. community of the redeemed in its
important look them up in your Bible and read the surrounding twofold aspect
context of each. Context will help reveal the true meaning of each a. All called by & to Christ for all times worldwide
Scripture. Section IV is a listing of general observations from the b. A local assembly of believers
Scriptures on Ekklesia. Section V includes the author’s final
thoughts. Section VI is a listing of discussion questions for personal
or group use.

It is the author’s firm belief that as you study the origins and
occurrences of Ekklesia in Scripture you will begin to develop God’s
concept of ‘church.’ Psalm 119:160 tells us that the sum of God’s
Word is truth. So if you allow God’s Word to be your sole source of
information you will have a truly biblical concept of ‘church.’
1
New Testament Greek Lexicon, http://www.biblestudytools.com/Lexicons/NewTestamentGreek/.
2
Zodhiates, Key Word Study Bible.
3
Thayer, Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.
III. Scriptures Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought
him to Antioch. And it came about that
for an entire year they met with
Matthew 16:18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter,
the church, and taught considerable
and upon this rock I will build My church;
numbers; and the disciples were first
and the gates of Hades shall not
called Christians in Antioch.
overpower it.4
Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king laid
Matthew 18:17 "And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it
hands on some who belonged to
to the church; and if he refuses to listen
the church, in order to mistreat them.
even to the church, let him be to you as
a Gentile and a tax-gatherer. Acts 12:5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but
prayer for him was being made fervently
Acts 5:11 And great fear came upon the
by the church to God.
whole church, and upon all who heard of
these things. Acts 13:1 Now there were at Antioch, in
the church that was there, prophets and
Acts 7:38 "This is the one who was in
teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who
the congregation in the wilderness
was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene,
together with the angel who was
and Manaen who had been brought up
speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who
with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
was with our fathers; and he received
living oracles to pass on to you. Acts 14:23 And when they had appointed elders for
them in every church, having prayed with
Acts 8:1 And Saul was in hearty agreement with
fasting, they commended them to the
putting him to death. And on that day a
Lord in whom they had believed.
great persecution arose against
the church in Jerusalem; and they were Acts 14:27 And when they had arrived and gathered
all scattered throughout the regions of the church together, they began to report
Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. all things that God had done with them
and how He had opened a door of faith to
Acts 8:3 But Saul began ravaging the church,
the Gentiles.
entering house after house; and dragging
off men and women, he would put them Acts 15:3 Therefore, being sent on their way by
in prison. the church, they were passing through
both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing
Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and
in detail the conversion of the Gentiles,
Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace,
and were bringing great joy to all the
being built up; and, going on in the fear
brethren.
of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy
Spirit, it continued to increase. Acts 15:4 And when they arrived at Jerusalem,
they were received by the church and the
Acts 11:22 And the news about them reached the
apostles and the elders, and they
ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they
reported all that God had done with
sent Barnabas off to Antioch.
them.

4
All Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible
Acts 15:22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and
the elders, with the whole church, to
choose men from among them to send to
Antioch with Paul and Barnabas-- Judas
called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men
among the brethren,
Acts 15:41 And he was traveling through Syria and
Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Acts 16:5 So the churches were being strengthened
in the faith, and were increasing in
number daily.
Acts 18:22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, he
went up and greeted thechurch, and
went down to Antioch.
Acts 19:32 So then, some were shouting one thing
and some another, for the assembly was
in confusion, and the majority did not
know for what cause they had come
together.
Acts 19:39 "But if you want anything beyond this, it
shall be settled in the lawful assembly.
Acts 19:40 "For indeed we are in danger of being
accused of a riot in connection with
today's affair, since there is no real cause
for it; and in this connection we shall be
unable to account for this disorderly
gathering."
Acts 19:41 And after saying this he dismissed
the assembly.
Acts 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and
called to him the elders of the church.
Acts 20:28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all
the flock, among which the Holy Spirit
has made you overseers, to shepherd
the church of God which He purchased
with His own blood.
Romans 16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who
is a servant of the church which is at
Cenchrea;
Romans 16:4 Who for my life risked their own necks,
to whom not only do I give thanks, but
also all the churches of the Gentiles;
Romans 16:5 Also greet the church that is in their
house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved,
who is the first convert to Christ from
Asia.
Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All
the churches of Christ greet you.
Romans 16:23 Gaius, host to me and to the
whole church, greets you. Erastus, the
city treasurer greets you, and Quartus,
the brother.
1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth,
to those who have been sanctified in
Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all
who in every place call upon the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and
ours:
1 Corinthians 4:17 For this reason I have sent to you
Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful
child in the Lord, and he will remind you
of my ways which are in Christ, just as I
teach everywhere in every church.
1 Corinthians 6:4 If then you have law courts dealing with
matters of this life, do you appoint them
as judges who are of no account in
the church?
1 Corinthians 7:17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each
one, as God has called each, in this
manner let him walk. And thus I direct in
all the churches.
1 Corinthians 10:32 Give no offense either to Jews or to
Greeks or to the church of God;
1 Corinthians 11:16 But if one is inclined to be contentious,
we have no other practice, nor have
the churches of God.
1 Corinthians 11:18 For, in the first place, when you come
together as a church, I hear that
divisions exist among you; and in part, I
believe it.
1 Corinthians 11:22 What! Do you not have houses in which
to eat and drink? Or do you despise
the church of God, and shame those who
have nothing? What shall I say to you?
Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise
you.
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed in the church,
first apostles, second prophets, third
teachers, then miracles, then gifts of
healings, helps, administrations, various
kinds of tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies
himself; but one who prophesies edifies
the church.
1 Corinthians 14:5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues,
but even more that you would prophesy;
and greater is one who prophesies than
one who speaks in tongues, unless he
interprets, so that the church may
receive edifying.
1 Corinthians 14:12 So also you, since you are zealous of
spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the
edification of the church.
1 Corinthians 14:19 However, in the church I desire to speak
five words with my mind, that I may
instruct others also, rather than ten
thousand words in a tongue.
1 Corinthians 14:23 If therefore the whole church should
assemble together and all speak in
tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers
enter, will they not say that you are
mad?
1 Corinthians 14:28 But if there is no interpreter, let him
keep silent in the church; and let him
speak to himself and to God.
1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of confusion but of
peace, as in all the churches of the
saints.
1 Corinthians 14:34 Let the women keep silent in
the churches; for they are not permitted
to speak, but let them subject
themselves, just as the Law also says.
1 Corinthians 14:35 And if they desire to learn anything, let
them ask their own husbands at home;
for it is improper for a woman to speak in
church.
1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, who
am not fit to be called an apostle,
because I persecuted the church of God.
1 Corinthians 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the
saints, as I directed the churches of
Galatia, so do you also.
1 Corinthians 16:19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila
and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord,
with the church that is in their house.
2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the
will of God, and Timothy our brother, to
the church of God which is at Corinth
with all the saints who are throughout
Achaia:
2 Corinthians 8:1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known
to you the grace of God which has been
given in the churches of Macedonia,
2 Corinthians 8:18 And we have sent along with him the
brother whose fame in the things of the
gospel has spread through all
the churches;
2 Corinthians 8:19 And not only this, but he has also been
appointed by the churches to travel with
us in this gracious work, which is being
administered by us for the glory of the
Lord Himself, and to show our readiness,
2 Corinthians 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow
worker among you; as for our brethren,
they are messengers of the churches, a
glory to Christ.
2 Corinthians 8:24 Therefore openly before the churches
show them the proof of your love and of
our reason for boasting about you.
2 Corinthians 11:8 I robbed other churches, taking wages
from them to serve you;
2 Corinthians 11:28 Apart from such external things, there is
the daily pressure upon me of concern
for all the churches.
2 Corinthians 12:13 For in what respect were you treated as
inferior to the rest of the churches,
except that I myself did not become a
burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
Galatians 1:2 And all the brethren who are with me, to
the churches of Galatia:
Galatians 1:13 For you have heard of my former manner
of life in Judaism, how I used to
persecute the church of God beyond
measure, and tried to destroy it;
Galatians 1:22 And I was still unknown by sight to
the churches of Judea which were in
Christ;
Ephesians 1:22 And He put all things in subjection under
His feet, and gave Him as head over all
things to the church,
Ephesians 3:10 In order that the manifold wisdom of God
might now be made known through
the church to the rulers and the
authorities in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 3:21 To Him be the glory in the church and in
Christ Jesus to all generations forever
and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife,
as Christ also is the head of the church,
He Himself being the Savior of the body.
Ephesians 5:24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so
also the wives ought to be to their
husbands in everything.
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ
also loved the church and gave Himself
up for her;
Ephesians 5:27 That He might present to Himself
the church in all her glory, having no
spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but
that she should be holy and blameless.
Ephesians 5:29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but
nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ
also does the church,
Ephesians 5:32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking
with reference to Christ and the church.
Philippians 3:6 As to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as
to the righteousness which is in the Law,
found blameless.
Philippians 4:15 And you yourselves also know,
Philippians, that at the first preaching of
the gospel, after I departed from
Macedonia, no church shared with me in
the matter of giving and receiving but
you alone;
Colossians 1:18 He is also head of the body, the church;
and He is the beginning, the first-born
from the dead; so that He Himself might
come to have first place in everything.
Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your
sake, and in my flesh I do my share on
behalf of His body (which is the church)
in filling up that which is lacking in
Christ's afflictions.
Colossians 4:15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea
and also Nympha and the church that is
in her house.
Colossians 4:16 And when this letter is read among you,
have it also read in the church of the
Laodiceans; and you, for your part read
my letter that is coming from Laodicea.
1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to
the church of the Thessalonians in God
the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace.
1 Thessalonians 2:14 For you, brethren, became imitators of
the churches of God in Christ Jesus that
are in Judea, for you also endured the
same sufferings at the hands of your own
countrymen, even as they did from the
Jews,
2Thessalonians 1:1 Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to
the church of the Thessalonians in God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Thessalonians 1:4 Therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of
you among the churches of God for your
perseverance and faith in the midst of all
your persecutions and afflictions which
you endure.
1 Timothy 3:5 (but if a man does not know how to
manage his own household, how will he
take care of the church of God?);
1 Timothy 3:15 But in case I am delayed, I write so that
you may know how one ought to conduct
himself in the household of God, which is
the church of the living God, the pillar
and support of the truth.
1 Timothy 5:16 If any woman who is a believer has
dependent widows, let her assist them,
and let not the church be burdened, so
that it may assist those who are widows
indeed.
Philemon 1:2 And to Apphia our sister, and to
Archippus our fellow soldier, and to
the church in your house:
Hebrews 2:12 Saying, "I will proclaim Thy name to My
brethren, In the midst of
the CONGREGATION I will sing Thy
praise."
Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of
the first-born who are enrolled in heaven,
and to God, the Judge of all, and to the
spirits of righteous men made perfect,
James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call
for the elders of the church, and let them
pray over him, anointing him with oil in
the name of the Lord;
3 John 1:6 And they bear witness to your love
before the church; and you will do well to
send them on their way in a manner
worthy of God.
3 John 1:9 I wrote something to the church; but
Diotrephes, who loves to be first among
them, does not accept what we say.
3 John 1:10 For this reason, if I come, I will call
attention to his deeds which he does,
unjustly accusing us with wicked words;
and not satisfied with this, neither does
he himself receive the brethren, and he
forbids those who desire to do so, and
puts them out of the church.
Revelation 1:4 John to the seven churches that are in
Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him
who is and who was and who is to come;
and from the seven Spirits who are
before His throne;
Revelation 1:11 Saying, "Write in a book what you see,
and send it to the seven churches: to
Ephesus and to Smyrna and to
Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis
and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."
Revelation 1:20 "As for the mystery of the seven stars
which you saw in My right hand, and the
seven golden lampstands: the seven
stars are the angels of the
seven churches, and the seven
lampstands are the seven churches.
Revelation 2:1 "To the angel of the church in Ephesus
write: The One who holds the seven stars
in His right hand, the One who walks
among the seven golden lampstands,
says this:
Revelation 2:7 'He who has an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit says to the churches. To him
who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the
tree of life, which is in the Paradise of
God.'
Revelation 2:8 "And to the angel of the church in
Smyrna write: The first and the last, who
was dead, and has come to life, says
this:
Revelation 2:11 'He who has an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit says to the churches. He who
overcomes shall not be hurt by the
second death.'
Revelation 2:12 "And to the angel of the church in
Pergamum write: The One who has the
sharp two-edged sword says this:
Revelation 2:17 'He who has an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit says to the churches. To him
who overcomes, to him I will give some
of the hidden manna, and I will give him
a white stone, and a new name written
on the stone which no one knows but he
who receives it.'
Revelation 2:18 "And to the angel of the church in
Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has
eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are
like burnished bronze, says this:
Revelation 2:23 'And I will kill her children with
pestilence; and all the churches will know
that I am He who searches the minds
and hearts; and I will give to each one of
you according to your deeds.
Revelation 2:29 'He who has an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit says to the churches.'
Revelation 3:1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis
write: He who has the seven Spirits of
God, and the seven stars, says this: 'I
know your deeds, that you have a name
that you are alive, but you are dead.
Revelation 3:6 'He who has an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit says to the churches.'
Revelation 3:7 "And to the angel of the church in
Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is
true, who has the key of David, who
opens and no one will shut, and who
shuts and no one opens, says this:
Revelation 3:13 'He who has an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit says to the churches.'
Revelation 3:14 "And to the angel of the church in
Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful
and true Witness, the Beginning of the
creation of God, says this:
Revelation 3:22 'He who has an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit says to the churches.'"
Revelation 22:16 "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to
you these things for the churches. I am
the root and the offspring of David, the
bright morning star."
IV. Observations
o Hell cannot overpower the Ekklesia (Mt. 16:18)
o The Ekklesia is to engage in corporate discipline as needed
(Mt. 18:17; 3 John 1:9-10)
o Total honesty is essential within the Ekklesia (Acts 5:11)
o The Israelites in the wilderness are referred to as the
Ekklesia (Acts 7:38)
o The Ekklesia is persecuted (Acts 8:1,3; 12:1; 1 Cor. 15:9;
Gal. 1:13; Phil. 3:6; 1 Thes. 2:14; 3 John 1:10; Rev. 2:9)
o The Ekklesia grows as it goes forward in the fear of the Lord
and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31)
o The early Ekklesia was centered in Jerusalem (Acts 11:22)
o The Ekklesia is to be discipled (Acts 11:26)
o The Ekklesia prays fervently for its brothers and sisters
(Acts 12:5)
o In the Ekklesia there are prophets and teachers (Acts 13:1)
o Apostles appointed elders in the Ekklesia through prayer
and fasting (Acts 14:23)
o The Ekklesia regularly hears reports of what God is doing in
believer’s lives (Acts 14:27; 15:3-4; 3 John 1:6)
o The Ekklesia sends out apostles (Acts 15:3)
o The Ekklesia makes decisions through consensus (Acts
15:22)
o Ekklesia’s are strengthened in faith through traveling
apostles (Acts 15:41; 16:5; 18:22)
o The Ekklesia grows daily (Acts 16:5)
o Apostles may convene elders from local Ekklesias (Acts
20:17)
o Idolatry causes confusion in the Ekklesia (Acts 19:32)
o The Ekklesia is to settle disputes among believers (Acts
19:39-41)
o The elders are to oversee and shepherd the Ekklesia (Acts
20:28)
o Women are important in the Ekklesia (Romans 16:1,4)
o The Ekklesias met in homes (Romans 16:5, 23; 1 Cor.
16:19; Col. 4:15; Phil. 1:2)
o Traveling apostles frequent the Ekklesia (Romans 16:23; 1
Cor. 4:17; 2 Cor. 8:18)
o The Ekklesia is sanctified and filled with saints (1 Cor. 1:2)
o The Ekklesia is a place of reconciliation (1 Cor. 6:4)
o Believers in the Ekklesia ought to continue leading the life
the Lord assigned them (1 Cor. 7:17)
o Judgment has no place in the Ekklesia (1 Cor. 10:32)
o Unity in the Ekklesia is paramount (1 Cor. 11:16, 18, 22) o Elders must know how to oversee their own household
o A multitude of gifts are present in the Ekklesia (1 Cor. before overseeing a Ekklesia (1 Tim. 3:5)
12:28) o Apostles help guide Ekklesias in how they ought to behave
o The gifts – prophecy, interpreted tongues, etc. - edify the (1 Tim. 3:15)
Ekklesia (1 Cor. 14:4, 5, 12) o If possible, believers should meet the needs of their own
o Instruction occurs in the Ekklesia (1 Cor. 14:19) families so that they will not overburden the Ekklesia. This
o There is peace & order in gatherings of the Ekklesia (1 Cor. allows the Ekklesia to help those who have no one to help
14:23, 33) them (1 Tim. 5:15-16)
o There is no single leader in local Ekklesias, all are able to o The elders of the Ekklesia are to pray over the sick,
freely participate in gatherings (1 Cor. 14:26-28) anointing them with oil (James 5:14)
o Tongues need to be interpreted in the Ekklesia (1 Cor. o Seven angels oversaw the seven Ekklesias in the book of
14:28) Revelation (Rev. 1:20)
o Women were to keep silent in the Ekklesia in Corinth (1 Cor. o The Ekklesia is to test the authenticity of apostles (Rev.
14:34-35) 2:2)
o The Ekklesia is to take up collections for the saints (1 Cor. o The Ekklesia is to steadfastly follow Jesus (Rev. 2:4-5)
16:1) o The conquering Ekklesia will be in Heaven (Rev. 2:7; 2:11;
o The Ekklesias received letters from apostles (2 Cor. 1:1; 2:17; 3:5; 3:12)
Gal. 1:2; 1 Thes. 1:1; 2 Thes. 1:1; Rev. 1:4,11) o The Ekklesia will be tested (Rev. 2:10)
o God gives his grace to the Ekklesia (2 Cor. 8:1) o Jesus reproves and disciplines the Ekklesia because He
o The Ekklesia appoints apostles (2 Cor. 8:19) loves the Ekklesia (Rev. 3:19)
o Apostles receive contributions from local Ekklesias to
minister at other local Ekklesias (2 Cor. 11:8) o Miscellaneous References: Romans 16:16; [Romans 16:27];
o Apostles have a deep burden in their hearts for the 2 Cor. 8:18; 2 Cor. 8:23; 2 Cor. 8:24; Gal. 1:22; [2 Tim.
Ekklesias that they visit (2 Cor. 11:28) 4:22]; [Titus 3:15]; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 22:16
o Apostles can receive contributions from Ekklesias (2 Cor.  Scripture references in brackets come from the KJV
12:13; Phil. 5:15) and the authenticity of these particular passages is
o Christ is the head of the Ekklesia (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18) questioned
o God’s wisdom is to be seen through the Ekklesia (Eph.
3:10)
o Christ is to be glorified in the Ekklesia (Eph. 3:21)
o Christ is the Lord and Savior of the Ekklesia (Eph. 5:23)
o The Ekklesia is subject to Christ (Eph. 5:24)
o Christ loves and died for the Ekklesia (Eph 5:25)
o The Ekklesia is to be holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:27)
o Christ nourishes and cherishes the Ekklesia (Eph. 5:29)
o Christ and the Ekklesia are one flesh (Eph. 5:32; Heb. 2:12)
o Ekklesias help support travelling apostles (Phil. 4:15; 3 John
1:6)
o Apostles are willing to suffer for the Ekklesia (Col. 1:24)
o Letters from apostles are read in gatherings and shared
among other local Ekklesias (Col. 4:16)
o When apostles visited local Ekklesias they would bring
stories of God’s movement in other local Ekklesiaes (2 Thes.
1:4)
V. Final Thoughts VI. Discussion Questions
The first English translation of the Bible (Tyndale’s Translation circa Based on the Scriptures and observations provided, how would you
1524) accurately translated the Greek word Ekklesia as define Ekklesia?
‘congregation’ or ‘assembly’. However, most modern translations of
the Bible translate Ekklesia as ‘church.’ This is done out of out of
convenience to the readers since ‘church’ is the common cultural
word used for an assembly of believers. However, this does not Which observation(s) of Ekklesia surprised you the most? Why?
mean it is an accurate translation of Ekklesia. Webster’s Dictionary
defines church as ‘a building for public and especially Christian
worship’. However, not one Scripture reference in the Bible
connects Ekklesia with a building for worship. Unfortunately, when How are your preconceived notions of ‘church’ equivalent with
we hear the word ‘church’ our mind often paints a picture filled Scripture? How are they different or opposed?
with unbiblical characteristics.

It is time that Christians reclaim and proclaim a truly biblical

concept of Ekklesia. Scripture confirms over and over again that an Do you regularly experience biblical Ekklesia? If so, how? If not,
Ekklesia is a gathering of those who are called out of sin and called why not? How can you begin to experience Ekklesia more often?
to Christ. Many of our modern concepts of ‘church’ are simply not
found in Scripture and some even oppose Scripture. So how do we
even begin to develop a biblical concept of ‘church’? We must allow
God’s Word to define ‘church’ and consider all other sources How can you promote and encourage a lifestyle of Ekklesia to
secondary. When God’s Word is supreme we will begin to see an those around you?
image of church emerge that is impossible to resist!

When believers gather as a biblical Ekklesia…

 Christ will be the head of the church and He will draw the Based on all the Scriptures and observations of Ekklesia, how do
believers into the manifest presence of God. you envision the ‘perfect’ Ekklesia? (Keep in mind that perfection
 The body of Christ will truly unite and mature as one. includes all the messiness, sinfulness & brokenness of humanity)
 The church will be so contagious that each day there will
be people observing it that will be drawn in and
incorporated into the body of Christ.
 Believers will find abundant & fulfilling relationships with Is the term ‘church’ salvageable or should we discard it for a more
God and other believers. accurate translation of Ekklesia? What word would you use?
 Every Scripture in God’s Holy Word related to the Ekklesia
will bear itself out in fullness and glory.

How did Jesus live out Ekklesia during his earthly ministry?

What one thing can you begin to do this week that will draw you
into deeper Ekklesia with other believers?
VII. References
Holy Bible, New American Standard Bible. La Habra, CA: The
Lockman Foundation, 2005.

Key Word Study Bible, editor: Spiros Zodhiates. Canon City, CO:
AMG Publishers, 2008.

New Testament Greek Lexicon.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/Lexicons/NewTestamentGreek/.

Thayer, Joseph. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New

Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1996.