This week I want to share another of Rick Renner's lessons from Sparkling Gems From The Greek - Volume 2. This one is all about the Church!
Where Does the Word ‘Church’ Come From?
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest
to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God,
the pillar and ground of the truth. — 1 Timothy 3:15
Today I want us to look at the meaning of the word “church”
as it was understood in the First Century AD when the Church was first
emerging. This teaching goes a little deeper than we usually go — but for
lovers of the New Testament, it will be filled with insight and revelation.
The term that the Holy Spirit chose to describe the newly
emerging Christian community was the Greek word ekklesia. This word is a
compound of the Greek words ek and kaleo. The word ek conveys
the idea of an exit or a separation, and the word kaleo means to
beckon, to call, to invite, or to summon. When these two words
are joined, they form the word ekklesia, which describes those who
are called and separated to a prestigious assembly.
The earliest examples of the word ekklesia is
found in writings about Athens, where it was used to denote a prestigious
assembly of Athenian citizens who regularly met to discuss civil matters. At
these meetings, the distinguished citizens determined laws, debated public
policy, formulated new policies, argued and ruled in judicial matters, elected
the chief magistrates of the land, decided who should be banished, and so on.
To be called out from society and invited to be a member of
this assembly was a great honor.
The reason the Holy Spirit chose the word ekklesia to
describe God’s people becomes more and more evident as one studies this
subject. The New Testament meaning of ekklesia is clear: The
local church is a body of individuals who have been called out, called forth,
and separated for the purposes of God. The church is God’s assembly in
every town and city — composed of people who have been saved and called out to
make eternal decisions that will affect the very atmosphere of their local
region.
God never intended for the local church to be simply a
quiet, hidden body of believers. Rather, He intended for a church to be His
voice and ruling power in each community — a special assembly comprised of
people who have been called out to make decisions that will impact the
atmosphere of their local environment for God.
Therefore, when the New Testament used the word ekklesia to
depict the local church, it is conveying an incredibly important message right
from the start: God’s plan for each congregation was not that they hide and
cower in fear, but rather that they rise to a position of power and influence
in the place where God had called them to fulfill their specific assignment for
their region. The church was intended to be a brilliant beacon of light in the
midst of dark and troubled towns, cities, and regions.
The believers in the early New Testament were suffering
terribly as a direct consequence of persecution. Church meetings had to be
conducted in secret because swift retribution would be brought upon them if their
actions were ever made known. Yet despite the fact that these believers were
suffering immensely and forced to meet in secret, Christ still acknowledged
them for who they were — His ekklesia, called out from the world and
separated to exercise spiritual power over the bleak and seemingly hopeless
atmosphere that surrounded them.
Regardless of how dark and oppressive the situation seemed
to be or how much these believers struggled, it didn’t change Jesus’ view of
them. They were His precious, appointed ekklesia — His governing body
in their respective towns, cities, and regions. And that is still how
Jesus views the local church! Each body of believers has its own specific
assignment, and each believer is assigned to a specific ekklesia! All
local bodies fit within a larger common purpose: that of furthering the Kingdom
of God on this earth by equipping the saints and being an influence of God’s
truth and righteousness to a lost world.
So I encourage you to ask yourself today: Do I know in
my heart that I am planted firmly in my God-ordained company of believers? Am I
positioned in the ekklesia that holds His assignment for this season of my
life? Then renew your commitment to be all God has called you to be to
help the ekklesia to which He has joined you extend its influence. As
that local body extends His voice into the surrounding culture, the spiritual
atmosphere of that region will be changed to the glory of His name!
I REALLY love this! I grew up with so much uncertainty in my life! Knowing how very different I was from everyone in my family, thinking many, many times that maybe I was adopted. Finding out the Truth was so fulfilling to me, even though I had to wait 63 years for it! But one thing that has ALWAYS been SURE for me, without question, is that I was called to The Spoken Word Church! I truly believe that one of the most vital choices we must make is whether or not we will answer HIS calling to the local body of believers that we were assigned to be a part of! I have never even once questioned or regretted this choice! TRUE success is being WHERE God wants us to be, doing WHAT God wants us to do! It is a real blessing to know that you and Kristine have found the place where God wants your family to thrive! My prayer is that every one of my friends, family and loved ones will also find their places to thrive! Here are Hillsong Kids with "We Came To Meet With You":Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
