In order to even talk about this subject, we must begin with introducing a very important Greek word. The Greek word ekklésia is translated into English as “church.” But ekklésia is not the church.
Definition of Church
First, let’s look at the definition of the English word church. From Proto-Germanic kirika, which thought to be borrowed from Greek kyriakon doma, “the Lord’s (house).” Oxford English Dictionary gives these definitions:
- a building used for public Christian worship
- a particular Christian organization, typically one with its own clergy, buildings, and distinctive doctrines
- (the Church)
the hierarchy of clergy of a Christian organization, especially the Roman Catholic Church or the Church of England- institutionalized religion as a political or social force
Definition of Ekklésia
Second, let’s look at the definition of the Greek word ekklésia. Derived from the Greek preposition ἐκ (ek, “out of”) and the verb καλέω (kaleō, “to call”). Therefore, ekklésia means “called out ones.” Thayer’s Greek Lexicon gives these definitions:
- among the Greeks… an assembly of the people convened at the public place of council for the purpose of deliberating
- in the Sept…. the assembly of the Israelites… especially when gathered for sacred purposes
- any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance or tumultuously
- in the Christian sense, a. an assembly of Christians gathered for worship…. b. a company of Christians, or of those who, hoping for eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ…. used even by Christ while on earth of the company of his adherents in any city or village…. the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth; collectively, all who worship and honor God and Christ in whatever place they may be…. the name is transferred to the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven
The Fundamental Error
The fundamental error that still persists is most denominations is the confusion between the church as an organization and the church as an organism. The Roman Catholic Church believes that its organization is the “church”. But the Roman Catholic Church is not the ekklésia. It contains many who are a part of the ekklésia. The same is true of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
You don’t go to the ekklésia, you are the ekklésia. The ekklésia is not an organization, it is not an institution, it is not a building or place. It is “the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth.” When you are baptized, you don’t join an organization, you join a spiritual community. The organization can recognize it, but they do not create it. God alone does.
An Example
When you read the Bible, and you come across the word church, substitute the phrase called-out-ones and see if the passage doesn’t make more sense. For example, look at 1 Corinthians 14:12 with the the word church replaced with called-out-ones:
“Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the called-out-ones that you seek to excel.” For a building or organization cannot be edified, only people can.
There are many other examples. May God open the eyes of your understanding.
