The Definition of the Church Part 2 Ecclesiology The Definition of the Church Part 2

The English word, church, is taken from the Greek word kuriakos which means “belonging to the Lord. “ This adjective occurs only twice in the New Testament: It is used of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:20) and the Lord’s Day (Rev. 1:10).

ekklhsia Ek – “out” Kalew – “to call or summon”

Ekklhsia was not created to define the church Ekklhsia was not created to define the church. It actually meant an assembly and of the many times it is used in the New Testament it was used that way, especially when referring to gatherings of non-believers. (Acts 7:38; 19:32, 39) In time the word came to have a technical meaning at least within the context of the New Testament Church. It was certainly a distinction from the Jewish synagogue. In New Testament times the synagogue was a place or a building. The early church had no buildings and was always an assembly of people where ever they were enabled to gather.

The technical use of the word ekklhsia came to be defined by the words of Acts 15:14. Saved people are ever called out of sin and out from the world to walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4) There are two aspects of this calling. The first is general in the sense that all believers from Pentecost to the Rapture are part of the body of Christ. Some have tendency to call this the church universal and inappropriately call it the church invisible.

The Body of Christ There are several allusions to the body of Christ. (Rom. 12;4,5; 1 Cor. 12;12,13; Eph. 1;22,23; Eph. 4;4; 5:23; Col. 1;18-24) Hence, the general aspect of the church is the sum of all regenerated people, living and dead and prospective until the Rapture, when the Church will be removed from the earth.

Truths Relative to the Body of Christ Hell cannot withstand it – Matt. 16:18 Christ gave Himself for it – Eph. 5;25 Christ is head over the it – Eph. 1:22; 3:10; Col. 1;18 It will occupy the New Jerusalem – Heb. 12:22,23 All members are regenerated – Rom. 6; 1 Cor. 12

Other designations for the same body are the Bride of Christ (Revelation 21:9; the flock of God (1 Peter 5:2), the living temple of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:21, 22). It is profoundly important to recognize the implications of the Reformed emphasis upon the “universal church” as opposed to the emphasis of dispensationalists upon the local church. Reformed Theology does not require regeneration for local church membership. With a greater emphasis upon the “universal church” comes a propensity to ecumenism and the resultant dalliance with apostasy.

Nearly everything that can be said about the body of Christ can be applied in principle to the local church. Of the 114 references to the church in the New Testament the majority of the uses refer directly to the local manifestation of the body of Christ (a local church). Understanding this fact is critical to understanding the nature and mission of the church in this dispensation.

The church is an assembly of regenerated people which congregate in a geographical location for the purpose of obedience to the ordinances (baptism and the Lord’s Supper), evangelism (at home and abroad), edification, and fellowship. This includes the process of worship, instruction from the Word of God, and equipping believers for active ministry in the church and in the community as representatives of the church. The local church is God’s plan for this age. The church is primarily responsible for the dissemination of the truth of God’s Word to an unbelieving world. (1 Tim. 3:15)

A number of terms are used with reference to the church most of which are never used in the Old Testament concerning Israel. These include, “my church,” “my sheep,” and “those whom thou hast given me.” The church is composed of Christians, saints, believers, the elect, the body of Christ, brethren, his own, disciples, witnesses, ambassadors, strangers and pilgrims, the household of faith, and the children of God.