Understanding Our Identity As the Church - The Ekklesia
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly (panegyris) and church (ekklesia) of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.”.........Hebrews 12:22-24
Over the next few weeks we are going to be unveiling the deep truths found in God’s Word as it relates to His “Called Out ones” the Church of the Firstborn. During this time of deep study and mediation on God’s Word ask Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and discernment into the deep things of God. Many today use terms that they are unfamiliar with, or are misinformed on, or perhaps even misguided in their understanding of. This term” ekklesia” is being used across many denominational lines, as well as in varies movements within “Christian” circles. It would be wisdom on our part to know exactly what God’s Word has to say on the matter if we are to fully comprehend our identity as The Church in God’s eternal plan of salvation and restoration of all things in Christ Jesus.
As we cover the points below on our prayer calls over the next few weeks, please incorporate the scriptures cited to give clarity and insights to what Father God is teaching us as His “called out ones “ for a special purpose. Take bite size portions and chew on them. Release the meat of the Word into your spirits and let it fill you with faith as Father God unfolds these revelations.
The above scripture indicated the depth of Father’s God eternal plan and high-lites His multi-dimensional household, made up of varies groups of which we are a part of. This material will call for focus, prayer, and great discernment as your faith meets with God’s faith in the unfolding revelation of Divine mysteries from the pages of His written Word and Holy Spirit.
Each week we will be considering specific questions as regards the material below. Please do not just go with previous concepts or doctrines you may had heard, let’s “Look Anew” at what the Word of God is teaching us through Holy Spirit. You will may find there are doctrines or concepts you have known in the past, things that have been changed in order to mislead or deceive, or you may just find a refreshed understanding that will give you greater insights as to your calling. Allow Holy Spirit to speak to you in both asking and answering needed questions for the Body of Christ during this season of refinement.
QUESTIONS:
1. What does the word ekklesia mean?
2. Textually what does it most often indicate?
3. How many times is ekklesia used in the Greek text?
4. How has it been translated in modern Bibles?
REFERENCE MATERIALS *
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".
Strong’s Definitions
ἐκκλησία ekklēsía, ek-klay-see'-ah; from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):—assembly, church.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1577: ἐκκλησία
ἐκκλησία, ἐκκλεσιας, ἡ (from ἔκκλητος called out or forth, and this fromἐκκαλέω); properly, a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place; an assembly; so used
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.
2. in the Sept. often equivalent to ÷ÈäÈì, the assembly of the Israelites, Judges 21:8; 1 Chronicles 29:1, etc., especially when gathered for sacred purposes, Deuteronomy 31:30 (Deuteronomy 32:1); Joshua 8:35 (Joshua 9:8), etc.; in the N. T. thus in Acts 7:38; Hebrews 2:12.
3. any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance or tumultuously: Acts 19:32, 41.
4. in the Christian sense,
a. an assembly of Christians gathered for worship: ἐν ἐκκλησία, in the religious meeting, 1 Corinthians 14:19, 35; ἐν ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις, 1 Corinthians 14:34;συνέρχεσθαι ἐν ἐκκλησία, 1 Corinthians 11:18; cf. Winers Grammar, § 50, 4a.
b. a company of Christians, or of those who, hoping for eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake; aa. those who anywhere, in city or village, constitute such a company and are united into one body: Acts 5:11; Acts 8:3; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 6:4; Philippians 4:15; 3 John 1:6 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 122 (116)); with specification of place, Acts 8:1; Acts 11:22; Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 6:4; Revelation 2:1, 8, etc.; Θεσσαλονικέων, 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; Λαοδικέων, Colossians 4:16; with the genitive of the possessor, τοῦ Θεοῦ (equivalent to éÀäåÈä ÷ÂäÇì, Numbers 16:3; Numbers 20:4), 1 Corinthians 11:22; and mention of the place, 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1. Plural, αἱ ἐκκλησίαι: Acts 15:41; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 2 Corinthians 8:19; Revelation 1:4; Revelation 3:6, etc.; with τοῦ Θεοῦ added, 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; τοῦ Χριστοῦ, Romans 16:16; with mention of the place, as τῆς Ἀσίας, Γαλατίας, etc.: 1 Corinthians 16:1, 19; 2 Corinthians 8:1; Galatians 1:2; τῆς Ἰουδαίας ταῖς ἐν Χριστῷ, joined to Christ (see ἐν, I. 6b.), i. e. Christian assemblies, in contrast with those of the Jews, Galatians 1:22;ἐκκλησίαι τῶν ἐθνῶν, gathered from the Gentiles, Romans 16:4; τῶν ἁγίων, composed of the saints, 1 Corinthians 14:33. ἡ ἐκκλησία κατ' οἶκον τίνος, the church in one's house, i. e. the company of Christians belonging to a person's family; others less aptly understand the phrase of the Christians accustomed to meet for worship in the house of someone (for as appears from 1 Corinthians 14:23, the whole Corinthian church was accustomed to assemble in one and the same place; (but see Lightfoot on Colossians 4:15)): Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2. The name ἡ ἐκκλησία is used even by Christ while on earth of the company of his adherents in any city or village: Matthew 18:17. bb. the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth; collectively, all who worship and honor God and Christ in whatever place they may be: Matthew 16:18 (where perhaps the Evangelist employs τήν ἐκκλησίανalthough Christ may have said τήν βασιλείαν μου); 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 5:23ff,27,29,32; Philippians 3:6; Colossians 1:18, 24; with the genitive of the possessor: τοῦ κυρίου, Acts 20:28 (R Tr marginal reading WH τοῦ Θεοῦ); τοῦ Θεοῦ, Galatians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 15:9; 1 Timothy 3:15. cc. the name is transferred to the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven: Hebrews 12:23 (on this passage see in ἀπογράφω, b. and πρωτότοκος, at the end). (In general, see Trench, § 1, and B. D. under the word , especially American edition; and for patristic usage Sophocles Lexicon, under the word.)
WORD USED FOR ASSEMBLY #3831 in Hebrews 12:22 -23 contrasting the use of Church #1577
*Strong’s #3831
Outline of Biblical Usage
a festal gathering of the whole people to celebrate public games or other solemnities a public festal assembly
Strong’s Definitions
πανήγυρις panḗgyris, pan-ay'-goo-ris; from G3956 and a derivative of G58; a mass-meeting, i.e. (figuratively)
universal companionship:—general assembly.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3831: πανήγυρις
πανήγυρις, πανηγυρισεως, ἡ (from πᾶς and ἄγυρις from ἀγείρω), from Herodotus and Pindar down;
a. a festal gathering of the whole people to celebrate public games or other solemnities.
b. universally, a public festal assembly; so in Hebrews 12:22(23) where the word is to be connected with ἀγγέλων (so G L Tr (Tdf.); yet see the commentaries). (The Sept. for îåòÅã, Ezekiel 46:11; Hosea 2:11 (Hosea 2:13); Hosea 9:5; òÂöÈøÈä, Amos 5:21.) (Cf. Trench, § i.)
*Above reference are from:THAYER’S GREEK LEXICON, Electronic Database.
Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011 by Biblesoft, Inc.
All rights reserved. Used by permission. BibleSoft.com
“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly (panegyris) and church (ekklesia) of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.”.........Hebrews 12:22-24
Over the next few weeks we are going to be unveiling the deep truths found in God’s Word as it relates to His “Called Out ones” the Church of the Firstborn. During this time of deep study and mediation on God’s Word ask Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and discernment into the deep things of God. Many today use terms that they are unfamiliar with, or are misinformed on, or perhaps even misguided in their understanding of. This term” ekklesia” is being used across many denominational lines, as well as in varies movements within “Christian” circles. It would be wisdom on our part to know exactly what God’s Word has to say on the matter if we are to fully comprehend our identity as The Church in God’s eternal plan of salvation and restoration of all things in Christ Jesus.
As we cover the points below on our prayer calls over the next few weeks, please incorporate the scriptures cited to give clarity and insights to what Father God is teaching us as His “called out ones “ for a special purpose. Take bite size portions and chew on them. Release the meat of the Word into your spirits and let it fill you with faith as Father God unfolds these revelations.
The above scripture indicated the depth of Father’s God eternal plan and high-lites His multi-dimensional household, made up of varies groups of which we are a part of. This material will call for focus, prayer, and great discernment as your faith meets with God’s faith in the unfolding revelation of Divine mysteries from the pages of His written Word and Holy Spirit.
Each week we will be considering specific questions as regards the material below. Please do not just go with previous concepts or doctrines you may had heard, let’s “Look Anew” at what the Word of God is teaching us through Holy Spirit. You will may find there are doctrines or concepts you have known in the past, things that have been changed in order to mislead or deceive, or you may just find a refreshed understanding that will give you greater insights as to your calling. Allow Holy Spirit to speak to you in both asking and answering needed questions for the Body of Christ during this season of refinement.
QUESTIONS:
1. What does the word ekklesia mean?
2. Textually what does it most often indicate?
3. How many times is ekklesia used in the Greek text?
4. How has it been translated in modern Bibles?
REFERENCE MATERIALS *
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".
Strong’s Definitions
ἐκκλησία ekklēsía, ek-klay-see'-ah; from a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):—assembly, church.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1577: ἐκκλησία
ἐκκλησία, ἐκκλεσιας, ἡ (from ἔκκλητος called out or forth, and this fromἐκκαλέω); properly, a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place; an assembly; so used
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.
2. in the Sept. often equivalent to ÷ÈäÈì, the assembly of the Israelites, Judges 21:8; 1 Chronicles 29:1, etc., especially when gathered for sacred purposes, Deuteronomy 31:30 (Deuteronomy 32:1); Joshua 8:35 (Joshua 9:8), etc.; in the N. T. thus in Acts 7:38; Hebrews 2:12.
3. any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance or tumultuously: Acts 19:32, 41.
4. in the Christian sense,
a. an assembly of Christians gathered for worship: ἐν ἐκκλησία, in the religious meeting, 1 Corinthians 14:19, 35; ἐν ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις, 1 Corinthians 14:34;συνέρχεσθαι ἐν ἐκκλησία, 1 Corinthians 11:18; cf. Winers Grammar, § 50, 4a.
b. a company of Christians, or of those who, hoping for eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake; aa. those who anywhere, in city or village, constitute such a company and are united into one body: Acts 5:11; Acts 8:3; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 6:4; Philippians 4:15; 3 John 1:6 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 122 (116)); with specification of place, Acts 8:1; Acts 11:22; Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 6:4; Revelation 2:1, 8, etc.; Θεσσαλονικέων, 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; Λαοδικέων, Colossians 4:16; with the genitive of the possessor, τοῦ Θεοῦ (equivalent to éÀäåÈä ÷ÂäÇì, Numbers 16:3; Numbers 20:4), 1 Corinthians 11:22; and mention of the place, 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1. Plural, αἱ ἐκκλησίαι: Acts 15:41; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 2 Corinthians 8:19; Revelation 1:4; Revelation 3:6, etc.; with τοῦ Θεοῦ added, 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; τοῦ Χριστοῦ, Romans 16:16; with mention of the place, as τῆς Ἀσίας, Γαλατίας, etc.: 1 Corinthians 16:1, 19; 2 Corinthians 8:1; Galatians 1:2; τῆς Ἰουδαίας ταῖς ἐν Χριστῷ, joined to Christ (see ἐν, I. 6b.), i. e. Christian assemblies, in contrast with those of the Jews, Galatians 1:22;ἐκκλησίαι τῶν ἐθνῶν, gathered from the Gentiles, Romans 16:4; τῶν ἁγίων, composed of the saints, 1 Corinthians 14:33. ἡ ἐκκλησία κατ' οἶκον τίνος, the church in one's house, i. e. the company of Christians belonging to a person's family; others less aptly understand the phrase of the Christians accustomed to meet for worship in the house of someone (for as appears from 1 Corinthians 14:23, the whole Corinthian church was accustomed to assemble in one and the same place; (but see Lightfoot on Colossians 4:15)): Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2. The name ἡ ἐκκλησία is used even by Christ while on earth of the company of his adherents in any city or village: Matthew 18:17. bb. the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth; collectively, all who worship and honor God and Christ in whatever place they may be: Matthew 16:18 (where perhaps the Evangelist employs τήν ἐκκλησίανalthough Christ may have said τήν βασιλείαν μου); 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 5:23ff,27,29,32; Philippians 3:6; Colossians 1:18, 24; with the genitive of the possessor: τοῦ κυρίου, Acts 20:28 (R Tr marginal reading WH τοῦ Θεοῦ); τοῦ Θεοῦ, Galatians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 15:9; 1 Timothy 3:15. cc. the name is transferred to the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven: Hebrews 12:23 (on this passage see in ἀπογράφω, b. and πρωτότοκος, at the end). (In general, see Trench, § 1, and B. D. under the word , especially American edition; and for patristic usage Sophocles Lexicon, under the word.)
WORD USED FOR ASSEMBLY #3831 in Hebrews 12:22 -23 contrasting the use of Church #1577
*Strong’s #3831
Outline of Biblical Usage
a festal gathering of the whole people to celebrate public games or other solemnities a public festal assembly
Strong’s Definitions
πανήγυρις panḗgyris, pan-ay'-goo-ris; from G3956 and a derivative of G58; a mass-meeting, i.e. (figuratively)
universal companionship:—general assembly.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3831: πανήγυρις
πανήγυρις, πανηγυρισεως, ἡ (from πᾶς and ἄγυρις from ἀγείρω), from Herodotus and Pindar down;
a. a festal gathering of the whole people to celebrate public games or other solemnities.
b. universally, a public festal assembly; so in Hebrews 12:22(23) where the word is to be connected with ἀγγέλων (so G L Tr (Tdf.); yet see the commentaries). (The Sept. for îåòÅã, Ezekiel 46:11; Hosea 2:11 (Hosea 2:13); Hosea 9:5; òÂöÈøÈä, Amos 5:21.) (Cf. Trench, § i.)
*Above reference are from:THAYER’S GREEK LEXICON, Electronic Database.
Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2006, 2011 by Biblesoft, Inc.
All rights reserved. Used by permission. BibleSoft.com