Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: September 24, 2006
THE CHURCH IS THE EKKLESIA OF GOD
Ben Justice
The term “church” is from the Greek word ekklesia. This word is found a total of
115 times in the NT. Every time the word is used, it is translated “church” (or a
form thereof) with the exception of three locations, where it is translated
“assembly” (Acts 19:32, 39, 41). The word literally means “the called out,” from
ek, meaning “out of,” and klesis (the root word is kaleo, meaning “to call) meaning
“a calling.” Hence, the compound word literally means, “the called out.” Thus,
the term “church” means those who are “called out.”
The word “church” is used in many different senses throughout the NT. Let’s
briefly explore these:
1.) The word “church” is used in universal sense. Jesus said, “. . . I will build
my church . . .” (Matt. 16:18). Jesus was obviously speaking of the church
universal, as opposed to individual local congregations. According to Acts 20:28,
the church was purchased with the blood of Christ. Again, the term “church” is
used in its universal sense. Paul penned, “Unto him by glory in the church by
Christ Jesus throughout all ages world without end. Amen” (Eph. 3:21).
2.) The word “church” is used in a geographical sense. An example of this would
be Gal. 1:2 — “And unto all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of
Galatia.” Paul was speaking about local congregations within a given geographical
area. In this case, it was “the churches of Galatia,” that is, the local
congregations in the Roman province of Galatia. Another example would be the
seven letters written to the “seven churches of Asia” (Rev. 2-3).
3.) The word “church” is used to refer to a local congregation. I Cor. 1:2 says,
“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, . . .” The church at Corinth was a
specific local congregation. Paul wrote to “the church of the Thessalonians” (I
Thess. 1:1). The church at Sullivan would likewise be an example of this.
4.) Sometimes, the Greek word ekklesia doesn’t refer to a congregation at all, but
simply to an “assembly.” Of course, the context must determine what kind of
assembly is under consideration. Examples of this are: Acts 19:32-41 and I Cor.
11:18; 14:19, 34-35. In the Corinthian passages, the word “church” is used to
refer to the worship assembly of the church.
At this point, let’s us study further the implications of this word ekklesia. This
word actually demands some things. Since the word means “called out,” we
must understand what we have been “called out of.” It also logically follows that
if we have been “called out” of something, then we must be “called into or unto”
something.”
First, the Scriptures teach that we are “called” by the Gospel. Paul wrote in 2
Thess. 2:13-14, “But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren
beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation
through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (14) Whereunto he called you
by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The antecedent
of “whereunto” (v. 14) is “salvation” (v. 13). “Whereunto he called you by our
gospel.” Whereunto what? Salvation. How are we called? By the gospel. The
gospel is God’s calling power to salvation (cf. Rom. 1:16). I Cor. 15:1-2 tells us
that the Corinthians’ were saved by the gospel. When one is called by the
gospel, they are called by it to obey it. One does this by first hearing the gospel
message, believing it, repenting of sins, confessing Jesus to be God’s Son, and
by being immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:37-41;
8:37). Acts 2:47 states, “. . . And the Lord added to the church (ekklesia) daily such
as should be saved.” In order to be saved, one must obey the gospel. When a
person does this, the Lord adds that individual to his church.
Second, the Scriptures teach that we are called out of darkness into light. I Pet.
2:9 tells us, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out
of darkness into his marvelous light:” When obeys the gospel, a distinct, 180
degree transformation has occurred in that person’s life. “Darkness” represents
the old sinful life that used to be. Many times in the Bible, the state of sin is
portrayed as darkness (cf. Acts 26:18; I John 1:6; 2:11). The “marvelous light”
represents the new life found in Christ. Paul made the contrast between
darkness and light in Eph. 5:8 — “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye
light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” The same truth is set forth in I Thess.
5:5 — “Ye are all children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night,
nor of darkness.” Paul would ask, “. . . and what communion (lit. fellowship) hath
light and darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14). Of course, the obvious answer is, “None.”
Being called out of darkness and into light by the gospel entails many different
things. Note the following:
—> We are called to be the sons of God (I John 3:1).
—> We are called unto holiness (I Thess. 4:7).
—> We are called to be saints (Rom. 1:7).
—> We are called unto fellowship of Jesus (I Cor. 1:9).
—> We are called into the grace of Christ (Gal. 1:6).
—> We are called to wear a worthy name — the name Christian (James 2:7).
—> We are called to suffer for Christ (I Pet. 2:21).
—> We are called unto eternal life (I Tim. 6:12).
You see, those who make up the church have been called out of a life of sin and
spiritual darkness and into the marvelous light of living the Christian life. Yes
indeed, the church is the ekklesia of God. As Col. 1:13 affirms, we have been
delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s
dear Son. Only until one is called out of the world by the gospel of Christ can
one be a part of the church (the kingdom), who are the called out ones.