What is the Church Talked about in the New Testament?

INTRODUCTION

Church. The very word conveys differing meanings among people. To some, the term means what you go to when you worship God. To other, it means any group claiming alliegiance to Christ. To still others, it means the building where people meet to worship the Lord.
Adding to the confusion are all the different churches. According to Ray Waddle, religious editor for The Tennessean, there are 2,500 different denominations in the United States!
Further confusion is fueled by all the turmoil in these different churches. Tele-evangelists, like Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggert have had their scandals. The Southern Baptist Convention debates over who will serve as its President, a liberal or a conservative.
Meanwhile, quite a few American Catholic churches and clergy differ with Pope John Paul over abortion, homosexuals, and celibacy. Presybterians, splintered for a number of years, debate over songs that speak of Christian warfare.
Major American cults, such as Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Seventh Day Adventists have had their own internal squabbles. The Davidians that burned in Waco broke off from the Seventh Day Adventists.
This list could be made much longer, including turmoil among churches of Christ. How do we make sense of it all? And, what should we mean by "church?"
In this brief tract, we hope to give you a biblical definition of church, what the New Testaments says about her. May the Lord bless you in your search for truth.

--Steve Hale--
--October 31, 1995--

"CHURCH"

The English word church means: "the Lord's house" or "an edifice consecrated for public worship, especially Christian worship" (Webster's New Universal Unabridged, 1983, p. 324). From this definition, it is not uncommon for people to think that this is the emphasis of the New Testament.
The church at Troas worshipped in an upper room (Acts 20:7, 8), while the church at Corinth seemed to center on the houses of Justus (Acts 18:7) and Crispus (Acts 18:8). Paul commonly went to the synagogues and preached Christ (Acts 19:8). The church at Colossae met in the home of Philemon (Phm. 1-2).
The emphasis, then, is not so much the place, but the people. The Greek word commonly translated "church" is ekklesia. Ekklesia means: "assembly, assemblage, gathering, meeting, congregation, church, congregation, or the church or congregation as the totality of Christians living in one place" (Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon Of The New Testament, p. 240).
The original word, then, is not an emphasis of the meeting place, but the people. The church (congregation) is people. These are people who have been called out of the world and into Christ by the gospel (Romans 1:16, 17).
In fact, a closer examination of ekklesia is revealing. Ekklesia comes from "ek," which means "out of," and "klesis," which means "a calling" (An Expository Dictionary Of Biblical Words, p.75-N.T.). Hence, ekklesia refers to "the called-out ones." Christians are called out of the world and into Christ by the gospel.
The building at 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road is where the Mt. Juliet Church of Christ meets. The people who meet there are the church ("the called-out ones"), not the building itself. The English word "church," when properly defined ("the Lord's House"), does not convey the first century meaning of ekklesia.

IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

The term ekklesia occurs in the Greek New Testament over 100 times! This shows it is of great importance to our Lord and the Holy Spirit. Here are just a few reasons it is so important.
1. Christ died for "the called-out ones" (Ephesians 5:25-26). No greater love can be demonstrated that laying down one's life for another (John 15:12-14).
2. Christ wanted all of these disciples to be one (Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4). He prayed that His disciples would all be one (John 17:20-21). There is to be one church, not thousands!
3. Jesus wanted no divisions in His church (I Corinthians 1:10). This precedent was given to a congregation, Corinth, with all kinds of moral and doctrinal problems! Yet, nowhere in either of Paul epistles to the Corinthians does he tell them to divide. In fact, even though diverse in culture and background, he tells them there should be no schism in the body (I Corinthians 12:12-26).
4. These "called-out ones" were added the same way throughout the New Testament. They heard the message about Jesus (Romans 10:17). This overwhelming evidence instilled faith (Hebrews 11:6). This faith demanded godly sorrow, and a genuine change in life (2 Cor. 7:9, 10; Acts 26:18-20). This change was made known both at the time of conversion and throughout one's life (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9, 10). This believer put on Christ by being baptized into Christ. This act of faith,
much like Noah's (I Peter 3:20-21), contacts the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:1-7). The believers sins are washed
away ( Acts 22:16), and he is added to Christ's church (Acts 2:47; I Corinthians 12:13).
5. These "called-out ones" or disciples are simply called "Christians." This was prophesied by Isaiah (62:2), and fulfilled at Antioch of Syria (Acts 11:26). The word "Christian" simply means "one who belongs to Christ."
6. The church has Jesus as her leader. He is head over all things concerning the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). The final authority, then, is Jesus through
the word He gave the Holy Spirit via the inspired writers of the New Testament (John 16:13, 14; II Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:21).
7. The church, when fully organized, has elders and deacons (Philippians 1:1). Elders and deacons are appointed by the qualifications given by the Holy Spirit (Titus 1:5-9; I Timothy 3:1-13). The Divine Ideal is for elders to be appointed in every church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5).
8. The church is a family, a "one another" people (John 13:33-35). The church is a "brotherhood" (I Peter 2:17), "the bride
of Christ" (Ephesians 5:22-33), "the body of Christ" (Ephesians 1:22-23), "the House of God," "the church of the living God," and "the pillar and ground of the truth"
(I Timothy 3:15). Many other descriptive names are given in the New Testament for the same people!
9. The church was not an accident, but in the eternal mind of God since the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4; Matthew 25:34).
10. The church is the fulfillment of Bible prophecy (Daniel 2:38-45; Isaiah 2:1-2; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 9:1; Acts 1:5, 8; 2:1-4). God provided that the church, through the ministry of Jesus, began in the "fulness of time" (Galatians 4:4).

CONCLUSION

Much more could be said! It is hoped that this brief introduction about the New Testament church will be helpful, though it is by no means exhaustive.
Jesus does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The church is His means to call people out of the world unto Him!
Many people say Jesus, yes, the church no. However, the church is "the called-out ones." The church, then, are the saved, and the saved are the church! Won't you be a part of His church (Revelation 22:17)?

Order Additional Tracts From:
Mt. Juliet Church of Christ
P.O. Box #248
Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
Phone: (615) 758-2274

October 31, 1995

Related Articles:

Church of Christ -Jan 31, 1999
Are We Just Another Denomination? -Jun 30, 1996
What is the Restoration Movement? -Feb 05, 1995
The Danger of Denominationalism -Sep 04, 1994
Does the Church of Christ Believe It is the Only One Going to Heaven? -Jan 25, 1990

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Discuss this Article

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What is the Church Talked about in the New Testament? by Steve Hale INTRODUCTION Church. The very word conveys differing meanings among people. To some, the term means what you go to when you worship God. To other, it means any group claiming alliegiance to Christ. To still others, it means the building where people meet to worship the Lord. Adding to the confusion are all the different churches. According to Ray Waddle, religious editor for The Tennessean, there are 2,500 different denominations in the United States! Further confusion is fueled by all the turmoil in these different churches. Tele-evangelists, like Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggert have had their scandals. The Southern Baptist Convention debates over who will serve as its President, a liberal or a conservative. Meanwhile, quite a few American Catholic churches and clergy differ with Pope John Paul over abortion, homosexuals, and celibacy. Presybterians, splintered for a number of years, debate over songs that speak of Christian warfare. Major American cults, such as Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Seventh Day Adventists have had their own internal squabbles. The Davidians that burned in Waco broke off from the Seventh Day Adventists. This list could be made much longer, including turmoil among churches of Christ. How do we make sense of it all? And, what should we mean by "church?" In this brief tract, we hope to give you a biblical definition of church, what the New Testaments says about her. May the Lord bless you in your search for truth. --Steve Hale-- --October 31, 1995-- "CHURCH" The English word church means: "the Lord's house" or "an edifice consecrated for public worship, especially Christian worship" (Webster's New Universal Unabridged, 1983, p. 324). From this definition, it is not uncommon for people to think that this is the emphasis of the New Testament. The church at Troas worshipped in an upper room (Acts 20:7, 8), while the church at Corinth seemed to center on the houses of Justus (Acts 18:7) and Crispus (Acts 18:8). Paul commonly went to the synagogues and preached Christ (Acts 19:8). The church at Colossae met in the home of Philemon (Phm. 1-2). The emphasis, then, is not so much the place, but the people. The Greek word commonly translated "church" is ekklesia. Ekklesia means: "assembly, assemblage, gathering, meeting, congregation, church, congregation, or the church or congregation as the totality of Christians living in one place" (Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon Of The New Testament, p. 240). The original word, then, is not an emphasis of the meeting place, but the people. The church (congregation) is people. These are people who have been called out of the world and into Christ by the gospel (Romans 1:16, 17). In fact, a closer examination of ekklesia is revealing. Ekklesia comes from "ek," which means "out of," and "klesis," which means "a calling" (An Expository Dictionary Of Biblical Words, p.75-N.T.). Hence, ekklesia refers to "the called-out ones." Christians are called out of the world and into Christ by the gospel. The building at 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road is where the Mt. Juliet Church of Christ meets. The people who meet there are the church ("the called-out ones"), not the building itself. The English word "church," when properly defined ("the Lord's House"), does not convey the first century meaning of ekklesia. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT The term ekklesia occurs in the Greek New Testament over 100 times! This shows it is of great importance to our Lord and the Holy Spirit. Here are just a few reasons it is so important. 1. Christ died for "the called-out ones" (Ephesians 5:25-26). No greater love can be demonstrated that laying down one's life for another (John 15:12-14). 2. Christ wanted all of these disciples to be one (Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:4). He prayed that His disciples would all be one (John 17:20-21). There is to be one church, not thousands! 3. Jesus wanted no divisions in His church (I Corinthians 1:10). This precedent was given to a congregation, Corinth, with all kinds of moral and doctrinal problems! Yet, nowhere in either of Paul epistles to the Corinthians does he tell them to divide. In fact, even though diverse in culture and background, he tells them there should be no schism in the body (I Corinthians 12:12-26). 4. These "called-out ones" were added the same way throughout the New Testament. They heard the message about Jesus (Romans 10:17). This overwhelming evidence instilled faith (Hebrews 11:6). This faith demanded godly sorrow, and a genuine change in life (2 Cor. 7:9, 10; Acts 26:18-20). This change was made known both at the time of conversion and throughout one's life (Matthew 10:32-33; Romans 10:9, 10). This believer put on Christ by being baptized into Christ. This act of faith, much like Noah's (I Peter 3:20-21), contacts the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:1-7). The believers sins are washed away ( Acts 22:16), and he is added to Christ's church (Acts 2:47; I Corinthians 12:13). 5. These "called-out ones" or disciples are simply called "Christians." This was prophesied by Isaiah (62:2), and fulfilled at Antioch of Syria (Acts 11:26). The word "Christian" simply means "one who belongs to Christ." 6. The church has Jesus as her leader. He is head over all things concerning the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). The final authority, then, is Jesus through the word He gave the Holy Spirit via the inspired writers of the New Testament (John 16:13, 14; II Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:21). 7. The church, when fully organized, has elders and deacons (Philippians 1:1). Elders and deacons are appointed by the qualifications given by the Holy Spirit (Titus 1:5-9; I Timothy 3:1-13). The Divine Ideal is for elders to be appointed in every church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). 8. The church is a family, a "one another" people (John 13:33-35). The church is a "brotherhood" (I Peter 2:17), "the bride of Christ" (Ephesians 5:22-33), "the body of Christ" (Ephesians 1:22-23), "the House of God," "the church of the living God," and "the pillar and ground of the truth" (I Timothy 3:15). Many other descriptive names are given in the New Testament for the same people! 9. The church was not an accident, but in the eternal mind of God since the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4; Matthew 25:34). 10. The church is the fulfillment of Bible prophecy (Daniel 2:38-45; Isaiah 2:1-2; Joel 2:28-32; Mark 9:1; Acts 1:5, 8; 2:1-4). God provided that the church, through the ministry of Jesus, began in the "fulness of time" (Galatians 4:4). CONCLUSION Much more could be said! It is hoped that this brief introduction about the New Testament church will be helpful, though it is by no means exhaustive. Jesus does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The church is His means to call people out of the world unto Him! Many people say Jesus, yes, the church no. However, the church is "the called-out ones." The church, then, are the saved, and the saved are the church! Won't you be a part of His church (Revelation 22:17)? Order Additional Tracts From: Mt. Juliet Church of Christ P.O. Box #248 Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 Phone: (615) 758-2274 October 31, 1995 Related Articles: Church of Christ -Jan 31, 1999 Are We Just Another Denomination? -Jun 30, 1996 What is the Restoration Movement? -Feb 05, 1995 The Danger of Denominationalism -Sep 04, 1994 Does the Church of Christ Believe It is the Only One Going to Heaven? -Jan 25, 1990 Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM