Matthew 16:13-18 “When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, ‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’ So they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’…”

Matthew 16:13-18 “…Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.’”

The Concept of the “Church” in the New Testament I. The General Meaning of Ekklesia. A. Literal meaning – “called-out” (2 Thess. 2:13-14). B. Greek Usage (Acts 19:32-41). C. Use in the Greek Old Testament (Deut. 9:7-10; 2 Chron. 30:1-5; Deut. 23:1-3).

The Concept of the “Church” in the New Testament II. The Lord’s Church. A. Its Universal Sense (Heb 12:18-24). 1. Over this assembly, this “church,” Christ is the only head (Col. 1:18). 2. It is to this congregation, to this “church” that God adds a person upon his or her obedience to the gospel (Acts 2:47 KJV, NKJV).

The Concept of the “Church” in the New Testament II. The Lord’s Church. B. Its Local Sense (1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1; Rev. 2:8; 2:12; 3:1). The “church” is Christ’s “body” (Eph. 1:22-23). There is only “one body” (Eph. 4:4). Yet, Paul addressed “the churches of Galatia” (Gal. 1:2). “Church (ekklesia)” is used here to speak of local assemblies of Christians in a specific place.

The Concept of the “Church” in the New Testament II. The Lord’s Church. B. Its Local Sense (1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1; Rev. 2:8; 2:12; 3:1). Christians identify with a faithful church, God adds one to the church universal. In this local sense, there are to be appointed human leaders over local churches (Titus 1:5; Acts 20:28).

The Concept of the “Church” in the New Testament II. The Lord’s Church. C. The Church Assembled (Matt. 18:15-17). Assembling “as a church” (1 Cor. 11:17-18). Women are to be silent “in the church” ( 1 Cor. 14:34-35; Acts 18:26). Cf. Modern concept of being “in congress.” Issues of scriptural authority for collective activities (Eph. 6:4; Heb. 12:3-11; Gal. 6:10; 1 Cor. 16:1).