Jesus’ ekklēsia
The biblical Greek word ‘church’ is defined as ekklēsia. Literally, the term ekklēsia means “those who are called out.” We need to understand how the word ekklēsia was used in the ancient world and its context. The authors of Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth say that “In the ancient world, the ekklēsia referred to a group of citizens who had been “called out” to administrate civic affairs or to defend the community in battle.”[i]
In examining this usage of the term, it is clear that the meaning of the ekklēsia indicates the group of people who are called out to serve for the common good of the country or kingdom. Therefore, ekklēsia is used when people are called to action with a crucial purpose from the authority and for the common good of the kingdom or country.
Surprisingly, the church, ekklēsia, is mentioned only twice by Jesus Christ in the four Gospels. The first usage is a promise from God, and the second usage is a commission for us. Jesus first uses the word ekklēsia in Matthew 16:18, saying, “I will build my church (ekklēsia).” Notice: Who is the builder of God’s Church? God! In this passage God is promising that He will build His church. This promise is why we are confident that no matter the difficulties we face, God will never abandon us.
The second usage of ekklēsia is found in Matthew 18:17 when Jesus instructs the disciples on their obligation to participate in the edification of the church even as they have disagreements with one another. This second usage reminds us that while God is the one who builds the church, we are the ones who should honor God in our relationships to one another.
Although Jesus uses the word ekklēsia only twice, it significantly contributes to understanding the concept of being the church and its purpose, as the first usage refers to the promise and the second usage refers to the community’s obligation and contribution to the common good.
Nowadays, many Christians are busy trying build the church in their own strength, forgetting Jesus’ promise in Matthew 16:18 and the meaning of ekklēsia. Let’s not forget: God is the one who builds the Church. Our part is to simply obey God and cooperate with God in his mission. The church will be built if Jesus’ ekklēsia understands their obligation.
As the Apostle Peter said, “you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). We must recognize that we are Jesus’ ekklēsia because we are called out to live in the light of the lord even while we were once in darkness (Eph. 5:8-9).
As I mentioned above, ekklēsia signifies that a group of people is called to assemble for the purpose of the kingdom. For that reason, we must understand that we are called out from the darkness by Jesus Christ to live not for our own desires, but for the kingdom’s sake. Jesus clearly said that “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). As we are a church, in other words, we are Jesus’ ekklēsia, we must pursue His kingdom and we are being assembled to fulfill our task for the purpose of His kingdom, not to live only for our own desires and personal agendas.
In conclusion, we are called to live with a purpose, contributing to the common good of God’s kingdom. As Jesus’ ekklēsia, the followers of Jesus Christ should not focus solely on building the church, as this is God’s work and not a task assigned to us. The task of being church, ekklēsia, is to extend His kingdom within and beyond Lake County.
[i] John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, eds., Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth, Illustrated edition (Wheaton: Crossway, 2017), 773.
In examining this usage of the term, it is clear that the meaning of the ekklēsia indicates the group of people who are called out to serve for the common good of the country or kingdom. Therefore, ekklēsia is used when people are called to action with a crucial purpose from the authority and for the common good of the kingdom or country.
Surprisingly, the church, ekklēsia, is mentioned only twice by Jesus Christ in the four Gospels. The first usage is a promise from God, and the second usage is a commission for us. Jesus first uses the word ekklēsia in Matthew 16:18, saying, “I will build my church (ekklēsia).” Notice: Who is the builder of God’s Church? God! In this passage God is promising that He will build His church. This promise is why we are confident that no matter the difficulties we face, God will never abandon us.
The second usage of ekklēsia is found in Matthew 18:17 when Jesus instructs the disciples on their obligation to participate in the edification of the church even as they have disagreements with one another. This second usage reminds us that while God is the one who builds the church, we are the ones who should honor God in our relationships to one another.
Although Jesus uses the word ekklēsia only twice, it significantly contributes to understanding the concept of being the church and its purpose, as the first usage refers to the promise and the second usage refers to the community’s obligation and contribution to the common good.
Nowadays, many Christians are busy trying build the church in their own strength, forgetting Jesus’ promise in Matthew 16:18 and the meaning of ekklēsia. Let’s not forget: God is the one who builds the Church. Our part is to simply obey God and cooperate with God in his mission. The church will be built if Jesus’ ekklēsia understands their obligation.
As the Apostle Peter said, “you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). We must recognize that we are Jesus’ ekklēsia because we are called out to live in the light of the lord even while we were once in darkness (Eph. 5:8-9).
As I mentioned above, ekklēsia signifies that a group of people is called to assemble for the purpose of the kingdom. For that reason, we must understand that we are called out from the darkness by Jesus Christ to live not for our own desires, but for the kingdom’s sake. Jesus clearly said that “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). As we are a church, in other words, we are Jesus’ ekklēsia, we must pursue His kingdom and we are being assembled to fulfill our task for the purpose of His kingdom, not to live only for our own desires and personal agendas.
In conclusion, we are called to live with a purpose, contributing to the common good of God’s kingdom. As Jesus’ ekklēsia, the followers of Jesus Christ should not focus solely on building the church, as this is God’s work and not a task assigned to us. The task of being church, ekklēsia, is to extend His kingdom within and beyond Lake County.
[i] John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue, eds., Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth, Illustrated edition (Wheaton: Crossway, 2017), 773.
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