Today we will be considering specific questions as regards “ecclesiology”, the doctrine of the church. This is one of those foundational subjects we must know as we understand our Identity as The Church. Please don’t go by preconceived concepts or doctrines, let’s “Look Anew” at what the Word of God is teaching us through Holy Spirit, as we reason from the scriptures to receive God's thoughts on every matter.
Allow Holy Spirit to speak to you in both asking and answering needed questions for the Body of Christ during this season of great deception and apostasy even within main stream churches and “Christian” movements. We are examining all things in light of the scriptures in order to clear up any misleading or false concepts being released by so many voices of well known leaders today. It has been stated; “one’s eschatology will affect his ecclesiology ". May we be clear in our understanding of our Identity as the Church, so it leads us to an accurate knowledge of the end times and eschatology.
As we are considering the foundational understanding of who and what we are as His called out ones. We will be also examining the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, the Messianic Kingdom, and many aspected related to God’s purposes in the earth and heaven. We will understand the importance of using precise terms, as some confusion has come in using similar terms or references when they have difference in meaning or purpose. Thus, this can lead to error in interpretation or application.
Our God is a God of order and not confusion, so let us rightfully divide the WORD.
“The roots of the word ecclesiology come from the Greek ἐκκλησία, ekklēsia (Latin: ecclesia) meaning "congregation, church"[notes 1] and -λογία, -logia, meaning "words", "knowledge", or "logic", a combining term used in the names of sciences or bodies of knowledge.
In Christian theology, ecclesiology is the study of the Christian Church, the origins of Christianity, its relationship to Jesus, its role in salvation, its polity, its discipline, its destiny, and its leadership. Ecclesiology is, therefore, the study of the Church as a thing in itself, and of the Church's self-understanding of its mission and role.” * Wikipedia
Answers to last weeks Questions:
This weeks Questions:
PLEASE USE REFERENCE MATERIAL AND SCRIPTURES AS OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE SOUND BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING AND PRAY WITH ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD OF TRUTH.
Wisdom Key: Always use several translations of the Bible in your study as well as Bible Dictionaries, Lexicons and Strong’s Concordance. Not all Bibles are translations, many new versions are paraphrases and not very accurate for study purposes. Some have been textually changed to met the author’s viewpoint or particular doctrine.
Allow Holy Spirit to speak to you in both asking and answering needed questions for the Body of Christ during this season of great deception and apostasy even within main stream churches and “Christian” movements. We are examining all things in light of the scriptures in order to clear up any misleading or false concepts being released by so many voices of well known leaders today. It has been stated; “one’s eschatology will affect his ecclesiology ". May we be clear in our understanding of our Identity as the Church, so it leads us to an accurate knowledge of the end times and eschatology.
As we are considering the foundational understanding of who and what we are as His called out ones. We will be also examining the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Heaven, the Messianic Kingdom, and many aspected related to God’s purposes in the earth and heaven. We will understand the importance of using precise terms, as some confusion has come in using similar terms or references when they have difference in meaning or purpose. Thus, this can lead to error in interpretation or application.
Our God is a God of order and not confusion, so let us rightfully divide the WORD.
“The roots of the word ecclesiology come from the Greek ἐκκλησία, ekklēsia (Latin: ecclesia) meaning "congregation, church"[notes 1] and -λογία, -logia, meaning "words", "knowledge", or "logic", a combining term used in the names of sciences or bodies of knowledge.
In Christian theology, ecclesiology is the study of the Christian Church, the origins of Christianity, its relationship to Jesus, its role in salvation, its polity, its discipline, its destiny, and its leadership. Ecclesiology is, therefore, the study of the Church as a thing in itself, and of the Church's self-understanding of its mission and role.” * Wikipedia
Answers to last weeks Questions:
- What does the word ekklesia mean? The word does not connote any special power or authority. It basically and simply means “called out ones”, indicating purpose. “Ecclesia (or Ekklesia) in Christian theology means both: a particular body of faithful people, and the whole body of the faithful. Latin ecclesia, from Greek ekklesia had an original meaning of "assembly, congregation, council", literally “convocation”. This is the PRECISE MEANING.
- Textually what does it most often indicate? Most often it pertains to either a Jewish and Christian group of individuals called out with a purpose of assembly, congregation, council", literally “convocation” for religious or sacred purposes.
- How many times is ekklesia used in the Greek text? Used 115 times………… A special note is that only twice does it reference none believers, Pagan Gentiles****see “ Thayer's Greek Lexicon # 1. among the Greeks from Thucydides (cf. Herodotus 3, 142) down, an assembly of the people convened at the public place of council for the purpose of deliberating: Acts 19:39. ***And then … see Lexicon # 3. any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance or tumultuously: Acts 19:32, 41." These two references in context DO NOT REFER TO BELIEVERS! Therefore, any reference to the word “ekklesia” as a governing body with legislative authority for the Believer is not contextually sound in this instance. While the scriptures do indicate and reference the authority of the Believer, it is not in reference to governing over individuals or governmental agencies. And only used in a positional delegated authority in covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ. ( Matthew 28:18-20, Note context: Matthew 18:15-20, Ephesians Chapter 1 and 6:10-20; do your own research and always consider context, who is speaking and who are being spoken to.CONTEXT<CONTEXT<CONTEXT)
- How has it been translated in modern Bibles? It is often translated as “church” however, this is not to imply a building were individuals were to meet. As early believers met in synagogues and personal homes. The word indicating a synagogue - (the meeting or the place) is Strong’s # G4864.
This weeks Questions:
- As a “called out one” what was the first century believer’s concept of the church’s purpose, function and role in the earth?
- Who was the leader or Lord of first century believers, both Jew and Gentile?
- What had He called them out to do?
- What form governance was in place for the early church body? Or was there one?
- Did the first century church indicate in anyway they were to take dominion or authority over the governments of the earth before Christ’s return to setup His Messianic Kingdom?
PLEASE USE REFERENCE MATERIAL AND SCRIPTURES AS OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE SOUND BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING AND PRAY WITH ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORD OF TRUTH.
Wisdom Key: Always use several translations of the Bible in your study as well as Bible Dictionaries, Lexicons and Strong’s Concordance. Not all Bibles are translations, many new versions are paraphrases and not very accurate for study purposes. Some have been textually changed to met the author’s viewpoint or particular doctrine.