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What is... the "church"?

you got admit brother face to face intimacy is much more special then internet connection. I like this place and love the people, but its no whear near the same as face to face fellowship, but I am grateful for thi
Dear Sue,

The place where people come together to worship, is not, the church mentioned in the bible.

The place where people come together to worship is called a church but it is not scriptural. The building people call a church is a kuriakon, now kuriakon is Latin for church building, it was introduced by the RCC around 300-500 A.D.

So from the point of view of what scripture says, kuriakon, church building cannot be considered as it ISNOT in the Bible.

The word for church in the Bible, is ekklesia, which translated is the church, the born again believers.

Now you say you don't look into the true meaning of words in scripture, then you will never find the true meaning, because the translations don't always give the true meaning.

There is only one church, the body of Christ, it is the ekklesia, it is not a building for worship, it is the body of saved souls, worldwide.

It is right to say, the church meets at such a place, because that is the born again from above souls coming together, in fellowship one with another, for prayer worship and to give thanks. But it is not right, according to scripture, to say the building is the church, unless you are happy to quote it in a RCC way, using the none scriptural reference taken from the word kuriakon.

The church our Lord refers to is the worldwide body of saved believers, from the Word ekklesia. The spiritual stones, built up into the Bride of Christ, which our Lord will return in Glory for.

We are born in a country, in a time slot, we are influenced by the way of the time, if we want to be tight with God, if we want to be right with our Saviour and Lord, we will want to know to true meaning of all scripture and when errors are found surely make them known and avoid them.

Shalom
That was well said Brother-Paul :innocent:
 
Is the Church only those who are alive on planet earth today?

Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
 
Is the Church only those who are alive on planet earth today?

Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,


The church, the ekklesia is the called out congregation, it includes all the saints. Those alive and those who are asleep in Christ awaiting His Return in Glory.

Bless you
 
Greeting all,

My heart is a little troubled on the topic 'The Church' so I intend to add 3 posts, [please bear with me as I add them, I have done an extensive study and would like to list all items for us all, and hopefully one after another.

PART 1 or 3 includes all verses from the KJV searching the word 'CHURCH'

Every Word CHURCH is translated from the word 'ekklesia' Which is Strong's Number G1577

77 Occurrences in 76 section

Matthew 16:18 (KJV)
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 18:17 (KJV)
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Acts 2:47 (KJV)
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 5:11 (KJV)
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Acts 7:38 (KJV)
38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

Acts 8:1 (KJV)
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 8:3 (KJV)
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Acts 11:22 (KJV)
22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

Acts 11:26 (KJV)
26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Acts 12:1 (KJV)
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

Acts 12:5 (KJV)
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Acts 13:1 (KJV)
1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Acts 14:23 (KJV)
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Acts 14:27 (KJV)
27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

Acts 15:3 (KJV)
3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

Acts 15:4 (KJV)
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

Acts 15:22 (KJV)
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Acts 18:22 (KJV)
22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

Acts 20:17 (KJV)
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

Acts 20:28 (KJV)
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Romans 16:1 (KJV)
1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

Romans 16:5 (KJV)
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

Romans 16:23 (KJV)
23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

1 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV)
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Corinthians 4:17 (KJV)
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

1 Corinthians 6:4 (KJV)
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

1 Corinthians 10:32 (KJV)
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

1 Corinthians 11:18 (KJV)
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

1 Corinthians 11:22 (KJV)
22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (KJV)
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:4 (KJV)
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1 Corinthians 14:5 (KJV)
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

1 Corinthians 14:12 (KJV)
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

1 Corinthians 14:19 (KJV)
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

1 Corinthians 14:23 (KJV)
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

1 Corinthians 14:28 (KJV)
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

1 Corinthians 14:35 (KJV)
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

1 Corinthians 15:9 (KJV)
9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

1 Corinthians 16:19 (KJV)
19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

2 Corinthians 1:1 (KJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Galatians 1:13 (KJV)
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

Ephesians 1:22 (KJV)
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Ephesians 3:10 (KJV)
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Ephesians 3:21 (KJV)
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 5:23 (KJV)
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Ephesians 5:24 (KJV)
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Ephesians 5:25 (KJV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it

Ephesians 5:27 (KJV)
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:29 (KJV)
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Ephesians 5:32 (KJV)
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Philippians 3:6 (KJV)
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Philippians 4:15 (KJV)
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

Colossians 1:18 (KJV)
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Colossians 1:24 (KJV)
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

Colossians 4:15 (KJV)
15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Colossians 4:16 (KJV)
16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 (KJV)
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:1 (KJV)
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Timothy 3:5 (KJV)
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

1 Timothy 3:15 (KJV)
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

1 Timothy 5:16 (KJV)
16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Philemon 1:2 (KJV)
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

Hebrews 2:12 (KJV)
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

Hebrews 12:23 (KJV)
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

James 5:14 (KJV)
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

1 Peter 5:13 (KJV)
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

3 John 1:6 (KJV)
6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

3 John 1:9 (KJV)
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

3 John 1:10 (KJV)
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

Revelation 2:1 (KJV)
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Revelation 2:8 (KJV)
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

Revelation 2:12 (KJV)
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

Revelation 2:18 (KJV)
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

Revelation 3:1 (KJV)
1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Revelation 3:7 (KJV)
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

Revelation 3:14 (KJV)
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

CHURCH IN EVERY VERSE ABOVE IS FROM THE GREEK G1577

G1577 in each case translated – ekklesia – congregation – called out


A congregation of ‘called out souls
 
PART 2 or 3 includes all verses from the KJV 'searching Strongs G1577' for Church ekklesia

Every Word CHURCH is translated from the word 'ekklesia' Which is Strong's Number G1577

You will immediately notice there are more words referring to Church - ekklesia - called out congregation, lets have a look.

There are 115 Occurrences in 112 sections

Matthew 16:18 (KJV)
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 18:17 (KJV)
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Acts 2:47 (KJV)
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Acts 5:11 (KJV)
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Acts 7:38 (KJV)
38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

Acts 8:1 (KJV)
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 8:3 (KJV)
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Acts 9:31 (KJV)
31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Acts 11:22 (KJV)
22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

Acts 11:26 (KJV)
26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Acts 12:1 (KJV)
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

Acts 12:5 (KJV)
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Acts 13:1 (KJV)
1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Acts 14:23 (KJV)
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

Acts 14:27 (KJV)
27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

Acts 15:3 (KJV)
3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

Acts 15:4 (KJV)
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

Acts 15:22 (KJV)
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

Acts 15:41 (KJV)
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Acts 16:5 (KJV)
5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Acts 18:22 (KJV)
22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

Acts 19:32 (KJV)
32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

Acts 19:39 (KJV)
39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

Acts 19:41 (KJV)
41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Acts 20:17 (KJV)
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

Acts 20:28 (KJV)
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Romans 16:1 (KJV)
1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:

Romans 16:4 (KJV)
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

Romans 16:5 (KJV)
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

Romans 16:16 (KJV)
16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Romans 16:23 (KJV)
23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.

1 Corinthians 1:2 (KJV)
2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Corinthians 4:17 (KJV)
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

1 Corinthians 6:4 (KJV)
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

1 Corinthians 7:17 (KJV)
17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

1 Corinthians 10:32 (KJV)
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

1 Corinthians 11:16 (KJV)
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

1 Corinthians 11:18 (KJV)
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

1 Corinthians 11:22 (KJV)
22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (KJV)
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:4 (KJV)
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1 Corinthians 14:5 (KJV)
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

1 Corinthians 14:12 (KJV)
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

1 Corinthians 14:19 (KJV)
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

1 Corinthians 14:23 (KJV)
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

1 Corinthians 14:28 (KJV)
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

1 Corinthians 14:34 (KJV)
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

1 Corinthians 14:35 (KJV)
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

1 Corinthians 15:9 (KJV)
9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

1 Corinthians 16:1 (KJV)
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

1 Corinthians 16:19 (KJV)
19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

2 Corinthians 1:1 (KJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

2 Corinthians 8:1 (KJV)
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2 Corinthians 8:18 (KJV)
18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

2 Corinthians 8:19 (KJV)
19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

2 Corinthians 8:23 (KJV)
23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

2 Corinthians 8:24 (KJV)
24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

2 Corinthians 11:8 (KJV)
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

2 Corinthians 11:28 (KJV)
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

2 Corinthians 12:13 (KJV)
13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

Galatians 1:2 (KJV)
2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

Galatians 1:13 (KJV)
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

Galatians 1:22 (KJV)
22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

Ephesians 1:22 (KJV)
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Ephesians 3:10 (KJV)
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Ephesians 3:21 (KJV)
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 5:23 (KJV)
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Ephesians 5:24 (KJV)
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Ephesians 5:25 (KJV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Ephesians 5:27 (KJV)
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:29 (KJV)
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Ephesians 5:32 (KJV)
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Philippians 3:6 (KJV)
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Philippians 4:15 (KJV)
15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

Colossians 1:18 (KJV)
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Colossians 1:24 (KJV)
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

Colossians 4:15 (KJV)
15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

Colossians 4:16 (KJV)
16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 (KJV)
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:14 (KJV)
14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

2 Thessalonians 1:1 (KJV)
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Thessalonians 1:4 (KJV)
4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

1 Timothy 3:5 (KJV)
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

1 Timothy 3:15 (KJV)
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

1 Timothy 5:16 (KJV)
16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.

Philemon 1:2 (KJV)
2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

Hebrews 2:12 (KJV)
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

Hebrews 12:23 (KJV)
23 To the general assembly <G3831 general assembly, mass meeting> and church <G1577> of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

James 5:14 (KJV)
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

3 John 1:6 (KJV)
6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

3 John 1:9 (KJV)
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

3 John 1:10 (KJV)
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

Revelation 1:4 (KJV)
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Revelation 1:11 (KJV)
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Revelation 1:20 (KJV)
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Revelation 2:1 (KJV)
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Revelation 2:7 (KJV)
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:8 (KJV)
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

Revelation 2:11 (KJV)
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Revelation 2:12 (KJV)
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

Revelation 2:17 (KJV)
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 2:18 (KJV)
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

Revelation 2:23 (KJV)
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Revelation 2:29 (KJV)
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:1 (KJV)
1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Revelation 3:6 (KJV)
6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:7 (KJV)
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

Revelation 3:13 (KJV)
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:14 (KJV)
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Revelation 3:22 (KJV)
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 22:16 (KJV)
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

All these verses have the words church, churches, assembly, and all are translated from G1577 ekklesia – ‘called out’ congregation

115 references to ekklesia, The Church, all with the same meaning, all translated from ekklesia
 
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PART 3 or 3 a summing up of the 115 references to Church, the ekklesia

All these verses have the words church, churches, assembly, and all are translated from G1577 ekklesia – ‘called out’ congregation

The first reference we have is Matthew 16:18 where our Lord makes clear ‘I will build MY Church


We do not have a church, the church, the ekklesia, is Christ’s alone.

The most common statement is the church but these can vary for example

And the Lord added to the church daily Acts 2:47

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. Romans 16:16

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, 1 Cor 1:2

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 1 Cor 10:32

Also 1 Cor 11:16 The Church is God’s it is our Lord’s

The next verse can give a wrong impression, together in the church, this is not in the building, this is referring to the ekklesia, as all these verses are, the called out congregation. So it is saying when ye come together in the ‘called-out’ congregation, when ye come together with other saved souls ye are in the church, ye are all in the church, because the meaning is ekklesia, the church, the called out souls. God calls us we do not call Him.

1 Corinthians 11:18 (KJV)
For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.


Below we read God hath set various members of the called out church, the ekklesia. The church is always God’s always our Lord’s, always called out saved souls, all translated from ekklesia.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (KJV)
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.


Paul tells us he would rather speak words of understanding to the church, the called out congregation, the church, the ekklesia in every verse refers to God’s church of called out souls.

1 Corinthians 14:19 (KJV)
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.


The cross is foolish to those who are perishing. The Word is folly to those who are not saved.

1 Corinthians 14:23 (KJV)
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?


Here is further confirmation ‘the church’ the ekklesia, the called out, congregation is the church, the saints are the church.

1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.


1 Corinthians 16:1 (KJV)
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.


The church never was and never will be building, the church is the saints of God.

2 Corinthians 8:19 (KJV)
19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:


2 Corinthians 8:23 (KJV)
23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.


The church, the ekklesia are the called out souls ‘which were in Christ’

Galatians 1:22 (KJV)
22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:


Colossians 1:24 (KJV)
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:


The church, the ekklesia, through out all ages world without end.

The OT does not mention the church, the OT times had the Temple and synagogues, the church is only in the above verses in the NT.

Ephesians 3:21 (KJV)
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.


Christ is The Head, of His Church, the additional verses here are the ones including ekklesia, called out congregation.

Ephesians 5 (KJV)
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.


Colossians 1:18 (KJV)
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.


Next we have John’s letter to the seven churches, in seven countries, church here as elsewhere translated from ekklesia, called out congregations. Then finally scripture concludes with…

Revelation 3:22 (KJV)
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.


Revelation 22:16 (KJV)
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.


The words, church, churches and assembly from the above verses, 115 occurrences all come from G1577, from the word ekklesia, the called out congregation.

Not a building Church never mentions a building in scripture.

Not a mixture of saved and unsaved souls, no, the ekklesia, the one true church is the saints, the born again believers called by God, that is what the scriptures tell us.

May the Lord open our hearts to the Truth in The Word. May He Bless us, guide us and protect us.

May God be Glorified, through Jesus, through His One True Church, the living born again from above souls, all of the saints.

In Jesus Name Amen.
 
Again, you've imported the concept of 'saved souls', but it's not clear where from. It's not embedded in the meaning of 'ekklesia', which has a secular use as well as religious.

I haven't dug out the data on this yet. I have a hunch that the Old Testament that most people in the 1st century - the Greek translation or Septuagint -- used 'ekklesia' to refer to the assembly of God's people at the time of the Exodus and desert wanderings.
 
PART 3 or 3 a summing up of the 115 references to Church, the ekklesia

All these verses have the words church, churches, assembly, and all are translated from G1577 ekklesia – ‘called out’ congregation

The first reference we have is Matthew 16:18 where our Lord makes clear ‘I will build MY Church


We do not have a church, the church, the ekklesia, is Christ’s alone.

The most common statement is the church but these can vary for example

And the Lord added to the church daily Acts 2:47

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. Romans 16:16

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, 1 Cor 1:2

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 1 Cor 10:32

Also 1 Cor 11:16 The Church is God’s it is our Lord’s

The next verse can give a wrong impression, together in the church, this is not in the building, this is referring to the ekklesia, as all these verses are, the called out congregation. So it is saying when ye come together in the ‘called-out’ congregation, when ye come together with other saved souls ye are in the church, ye are all in the church, because the meaning is ekklesia, the church, the called out souls. God calls us we do not call Him.

1 Corinthians 11:18 (KJV)
For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

Below we read God hath set various members of the called out church, the ekklesia. The church is always God’s always our Lord’s, always called out saved souls, all translated from ekklesia.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (KJV)
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Paul tells us he would rather speak words of understanding to the church, the called out congregation, the church, the ekklesia in every verse refers to God’s church of called out souls.

1 Corinthians 14:19 (KJV)
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

The cross is foolish to those who are perishing. The Word is folly to those who are not saved.

1 Corinthians 14:23 (KJV)
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

Here is further confirmation ‘the church’ the ekklesia, the called out, congregation is the church, the saints are the church.

1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV)
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

1 Corinthians 16:1 (KJV)
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

The church never was and never will be building, the church is the saints of God.

2 Corinthians 8:19 (KJV)
19 And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

2 Corinthians 8:23 (KJV)
23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

The church, the ekklesia are the called out souls ‘which were in Christ’

Galatians 1:22 (KJV)
22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:

Colossians 1:24 (KJV)
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

The church, the ekklesia, through out all ages world without end.

The OT does not mention the church, the OT times had the Temple and synagogues, the church is only in the above verses in the NT.

Ephesians 3:21 (KJV)
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Christ is The Head, of His Church, the additional verses here are the ones including ekklesia, called out congregation.

Ephesians 5 (KJV)
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.


Colossians 1:18 (KJV)
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Next we have John’s letter to the seven churches, in seven countries, church here as elsewhere translated from ekklesia, called out congregations. Then finally scripture concludes with…

Revelation 3:22 (KJV)
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 22:16 (KJV)
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

The words, church, churches and assembly from the above verses, 115 occurrences all come from G1577, from the word ekklesia, the called out congregation.

Not a building Church never mentions a building in scripture.

Not a mixture of saved and unsaved souls, no, the ekklesia, the one true church is the saints, the born again believers called by God, that is what the scriptures tell us.

May the Lord open our hearts to the Truth in The Word. May He Bless us, guide us and protect us.

May God be Glorified, through Jesus, through His One True Church, the living born again from above souls, all of the saints.

In Jesus Name Amen.
Amen x
 
All the verses quoted are clear, all the verses are only from the word CHURCH, all translated from the Greek G1577, so all mean the same.

Now when I search G1577 I got all the words that meant the same as CHURCH, these were church, churches and assembly.

All three words mean exactly the same, they all come from ekklesia. There are no others. The OT and the Temple and synagogues only the NT has the church, the ekklesia, which is 'The Body of Christ'

Now it doesn't matter if there was a secular use of a word and a biblical use of the word, (I don't do religion), the secular has its own meaning, The Bible tells us as God, says it, as God means it, aged plans it. That is why the study above was from scripture only, that is why it looks directly at the original meaning that has been translated. That is why I look not just at the word church, I went deeper into the ekklesia from G1577 from the original Greek meaning.

Read the scriptures that relate to CHURCH, CHURCHES and ASSEMBLIES from G1577 Only. What does it say?

Don't mix things up with one scriptural items brother, God gave us The Word, The Word is Truth, it is all we need. But in it's original meaning not from translations.

I have mention this before, but it seems right to include it now. Of all the place of worship notice boards and signs I have read, only one got it Spot on for Church as we are discussing here. The notice outside the Baptist place of worship said. 'The church meets here at these times on these dates' I tell you brother my heart jumped for joy and I rejoiced there and then, they understood everything scripture tells us here. The church, the ekklesia,is not a building, it never has been. It is the born again from above souls,locally, nationally, worldwide.

Christ is the head of His church. His church are the saved souls, those born again from above, a congregation of called out souls, scripture tells us this so clearly. Christ will return in glory for His Church, His ekklesia, His sheep, the called out one, called by God.

If a place of worship consists of saved and unsaved souls, that is not a church, only the saved souls are the church brother, only the saved souls are the ekklesia.

Read every verse in the list of 115 references to Church, Churches, Assembly,that come from the Greek ekklesia, there are no others in scripture that come from the original word, referenced G1577. That's it, every word from God, in the case of something so important we have 115 references confirming The Truth.
 
ADDITIONAL NOTES:

There is only one verse in the NT, in all the passages mentioned above, that refers to a type of ekklesia in the OT – Note: Mount Sinai

Acts 7:38 (NKJV)
38 This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai

To give a fuller picture of the verse...

Acts 7:37-39 (NKJV)
37 "This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.'
38 This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us,
39 whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt

The Hebrew almost equivalent of ekklesia is the word qahal (קהל).<H6951>
It is translated in most occurrences as an assembly.
The first mention of qahal is in the following by Moses…

Deuteronomy 18:15-18 (KJV)
15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
16 According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
17 And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

Hebrew Strong’s Number H6951
Hebrew Word:
‏קָהָל‎
Transliteration: qāhāl
Phonetic Pronunciation:kaw-hawl'
Root: from <H6950>
A congregation or assembly, a gathering.

Points to note:

  • Mose’s or Moshe, stated that a Prophet will be raised up, who will be of your brethren. According to Deuteronomy 18:15, this Prophet was also like Mose’s.
  • This Prophet ye shall hear.
  • Mose’s the prophet was with Jesus, Yeshua, in the wilderness at Mt. Sinai. The Hebrew text doesn’t tell us that but Stephen does, so we know qahal – the Hebrew almost equivalent of ekklesia was at Mt. Sinai.

Stephen tells us that their fathers would not obey Mose’s. What was Mose’s telling them?
He was giving them YHVH's instructions, His commands, His teaching, His laws. But they were not obeying.
So, YHVH says He will raise up a Prophet like unto Mose’s and Him we will hear. Him we will hear!

So what Stephen was telling us is there was, a type of church, at Sinai, it included Yeshua and Moshe, Jesus and Mose’s and an assembly.

So what is the difference between the OT and NT positions from the translations?

Hebrew OT - Strong’s Number H6951
Transliteration:
qāhāl
Is a congregation or assembly, a gathering.

Greek NT – Stongs Number G1577

Transliteration: ekklesia
Is a called-out congregation, or assembly

It is a called out congregation, a congregation of born again from above, saved souls, who are the body of Christ the ekklesia, the church.

The OT is a shadow of the New, Yeshua was in the wilderness at Mount Sinai, with Moshe. We are told in v18
I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

The Church, the ekklesia, was born at Pentecost, the true Church, the Body of Christ of which our Lord is the Head, WAS BORN at Pentecost.

What happened with Moses at Sinai, when YHWY was present in the wilderness that Stephen tells us about, was the shadow of things to come. The prophesy of Yeshua and His Church.

Both the OT and the New include assembly in their translation, the OT shows a type of ekklesia through the Hebrew word, qāhāl,.

Only in the NT Greek does it tell us the congregation or assembly is those called-out, called by God, born again.

Only in the NT can these things be possible,
  • Christ had to ascend to heaven for the Spiritual Church, the ekklesia, to be born.
  • The Church was then born at Pentecost.
All this fits in with what was listed earlier today.

Shalom
 
You've done it again -- shoehorned 'saved souls' into the definition. Its not part the meanimy of ekklesia.

The English words "fellowship", "congregation", "assembly" are all good words to describe a church meeting. But they describe things besides the church -- a civic assembly, for example. Ekklesia is the same.
 
ADDITIONAL NOTES:

There is only one verse in the NT, in all the passages mentioned above, that refers to a type of ekklesia in the OT – Note: Mount Sinai

Acts 7:38 (NKJV)
38 This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai

To give a fuller picture of the verse...

Acts 7:37-39 (NKJV)
37 "This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.'
38 This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us,
39 whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt

The Hebrew almost equivalent of ekklesia is the word qahal (קהל).<H6951>
It is translated in most occurrences as an assembly.
The first mention of qahal is in the following by Moses…

Deuteronomy 18:15-18 (KJV)
15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
16 According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.
17 And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.
18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

Hebrew Strong’s Number H6951
Hebrew Word:
‏קָהָל‎
Transliteration: qāhāl
Phonetic Pronunciation:kaw-hawl'
Root: from <H6950>
A congregation or assembly, a gathering.

Points to note:

  • Mose’s or Moshe, stated that a Prophet will be raised up, who will be of your brethren. According to Deuteronomy 18:15, this Prophet was also like Mose’s.
  • This Prophet ye shall hear.
  • Mose’s the prophet was with Jesus, Yeshua, in the wilderness at Mt. Sinai. The Hebrew text doesn’t tell us that but Stephen does, so we know qahal – the Hebrew almost equivalent of ekklesia was at Mt. Sinai.

Stephen tells us that their fathers would not obey Mose’s. What was Mose’s telling them?
He was giving them YHVH's instructions, His commands, His teaching, His laws. But they were not obeying.
So, YHVH says He will raise up a Prophet like unto Mose’s and Him we will hear. Him we will hear!

So what Stephen was telling us is there was, a type of church, at Sinai, it included Yeshua and Moshe, Jesus and Mose’s and an assembly.

So what is the difference between the OT and NT positions from the translations?

Hebrew OT - Strong’s Number H6951
Transliteration:
qāhāl
Is a congregation or assembly, a gathering.

Greek NT – Stongs Number G1577

Transliteration: ekklesia
Is a called-out congregation, or assembly

It is a called out congregation, a congregation of born again from above, saved souls, who are the body of Christ the ekklesia, the church.

The OT is a shadow of the New, Yeshua was in the wilderness at Mount Sinai, with Moshe. We are told in v18
I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

The Church, the ekklesia, was born at Pentecost, the true Church, the Body of Christ of which our Lord is the Head, WAS BORN at Pentecost.

What happened with Moses at Sinai, when YHWY was present in the wilderness that Stephen tells us about, was the shadow of things to come. The prophesy of Yeshua and His Church.

Both the OT and the New include assembly in their translation, the OT shows a type of ekklesia through the Hebrew word, qāhāl,.

Only in the NT Greek does it tell us the congregation or assembly is those called-out, called by God, born again.

Only in the NT can these things be possible,
  • Christ had to ascend to heaven for the Spiritual Church, the ekklesia, to be born.
  • The Church was then born at Pentecost.
All this fits in with what was listed earlier today.

Shalom
Brother -Paul, Hekuran is not going to get it. just give it up, God has to be the one opening his eyes.

New International Version
Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

New Living Translation
Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.

and now you might understand i don't even like the word church. I speak of the "Institutionalize church" and then I try to use words like: The body of Christ, The child of God, "born from above", The congregation of the Lord, Nominal christians, true Christians, i try to make it clear who i am talking about. But that word "church" has cause so much confusion. And our God is not a God of Confusion.

New International Version
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace--as in all the congregations of the Lord's people.

New Living Translation
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.

English Standard Version
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

Berean Study Bible
For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints,

Berean Literal Bible
For He is not the God of disorder, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
 
New International Version
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace--as in all the congregations of the Lord's people.

New Living Translation
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.

English Standard Version
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

Berean Study Bible
For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints,

Berean Literal Bible
For He is not the God of disorder, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

These are great verses, but they don't have anything to do with who is in the church.
 
But Ray what I wrote from an in depth study, and printed on here for all to see, nothing hidden, nothing added that was not included, even the verse from Stephen that no one appeared to pick up on.

It is clear, yet some see their church as the church, I am not going to repeat what I have clearly laid our, all I can do us pray the good lord will reveal the truth to al who cannot see it On Jesus Name Amen
 
You've done it again -- shoehorned 'saved souls' into the definition. Its not part the meanimy of ekklesia.

The English words "fellowship", "congregation", "assembly" are all good words to describe a church meeting. But they describe things besides the church -- a civic assembly, for example. Ekklesia is the same.


Greetings brother

I would like to thank you for your input, and if I was where you are now I would buy you an ice cream cornet, I would buy two, they would be the same, except one may have chocolate chips on top.

Which would you prefer?

As I said, they are both the same, both ice cream cornets, one has chocolate chips on top.


Old Testament
Hebrew Word - qāhāl H6951

Is a congregation or assembly,

New Testament
Greek Word - ekklesia G1577

Is a congregation, or assembly, called-out


You see this is similar, but not ice cream or chocolate, sorry, I would love to buy you one though.

Both these look the same, the only difference is the NT one includes called out, the OT does not.

Why would that be?

Only in the NT can these things be possible,
  • Christ had to ascend to heaven for the Spiritual Church, the ekklesia, to be born.
  • The Church, the ekklesia, was then born at Pentecost.
Those who are born again from above, born anew are 'called-out'

For the full details see post 70 above.

The English words "fellowship", "congregation", "assembly" are all good words to describe a church meeting. But they describe things besides the church -- a civic assembly, for example. Ekklesia is the same.


They may be good words, but are they from scripture in the right context, are they included in any of the 115 verses for CHURCH, CHURCHES, ASSEMBLY I listed early, the only verses in the Bible that refer to the ekklesia, the Church?

Only these words translate as shown

Old Testament
Hebrew Word - qāhāl H6951

Is a congregation or assembly,

New Testament
Greek Word - ekklesia G1577

Is a congregation, or assembly, called-out
 
The "Church" which is the "Body of Christ" was NOT known or understood by anyone until Jesus revealed it directly to the Apostle Paul which in turn the other apostles heard about it from him for the first time!

Eph 3:1 I, Paul, am a prisoner because of Christ Jesus. I am in prison because of my work among you who are not Jews.
Eph 3:2 I am sure you have heard that God appointed me to share his grace with you.
Eph 3:3 I'm talking about the mystery God showed me. I have already written a little about it.
Eph 3:4 By reading it you will be able to understand what I know about the mystery of Christ.
Eph 3:5 The mystery was not made known to people of other times. But now the Holy Spirit has made it known to God's holy apostles and prophets.
Eph 3:6 Here is the mystery. Because of the good news, God's promises are for non-Jews as well as for Jews. Both groups are parts of one body. They share in the promise. It belongs to them because they belong to Christ Jesus.
Eph 3:7 I now serve the good news because God gave me his grace. His power is at work in me.
Eph 3:8 I am by far the least important of all of God's people. But he gave me the grace to preach to the non-Jews about the wonderful riches that Christ gives.
Eph 3:9 God told me to make clear to everyone how the mystery came about. In times past it was kept hidden in the mind of God, who created all things.
Eph 3:10 He wanted the rulers and authorities in the heavenly world to come to know his great wisdom. The church would make it known to them.
Eph 3:11 That was God's plan from the beginning. He has worked it out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Eph 3:12 Through him and through faith in him we can approach God. We can come to him freely. We can come without fear.
Eph 3:13 So here is what I'm asking you to do. Don't lose hope because I am suffering for you. It will lead to the time when God will give you his glory.

The Church is one body made up of many members who are never separated from each other no matter if they are physically alive or not, in Heaven or on earth!

Paul said to the Church.....

Php 1:7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
 
If you search for information on ancient Greek democracy such as here Ancient Greek Democracy you'll see that there's no special spiritual significance in the word, or in being "called out".

Its best not to cloud our understanding of the meaning of words with imported concepts.
 
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