I suppose this is old news to a bunch of Christians who have spent a lot of time in Bible Study. I have to mention it just in case — because I was really surprised when I looked behind the word “church”, knowing what this word really meant startled me, that is probably what started me doing word studies.
To some the difference probably seems minor, even nit picky. I still remember learning about connotations of words in grammar school and have always felt that it was very important, I am not a politician, that is obvious, but I know how they twist meanings by choosing words carefully.
I know that there are many people that hear the word “church” and cringe, I guess I always picture a building, but I imagine that there are those that think of the almost corporate nature of religions in our country today.
G1577
ἐκκλησία
ekklēsia
Thayer Definition:
1) a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly
1a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating
1b) the assembly of the Israelites
1c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously
1d) in a Christian sense
1d1) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting
1d2) a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order’s sake
1d3) those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body
1d4) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth
1d5) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven
Outside of when Jesus is addressing the 7 assemblies in Revelation, He only uses the word “ekklēsia” 3 times”
“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My ekklēsia; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. “
(Matthew 16:18 )“If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the ekklēsia; and if he refuses to listen even to the ekklēsia, let him be to you as a heathen and a tax collector. “
(Matthew 18:17)“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the ekklēsia. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.“
(Revelation 22:16 )
The word church is used 112 times in my NASB and not once are they referring to a building, the word is used to refer a specific group of believers or to believers in general.
The word “ekklēsia” according to the New American Standard Updated Edition Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible is made up of two Greek words ek which means “out” and kaleō which means “called”.
Believers are “called out” – believers are told to come out of the “world” and be separate.
“Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.
(2 Corinthians 6:17-18 NASB)
I am sorry to say, I think that people “fall away” from “churches” and think that they have fallen away from God.
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