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The Church Of "Church" is translated from the Greek word ekklesia. In looking at the definition I found the following: 1) a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly 1b) the assembly of the Israelites 1c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously 1d) in a Christian sense i) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting ii) 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 manager their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake iii) those who anywhere, in a city, villiage, constitute such a company and are united into one body iv) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth v) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven It is obvious that ekklesia refers to people. In Acts 19 we have a riot in Ephesus. "But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly" (verse 39). Church is used to refer to the people in a geographical region, "To the churches of Galatia" (Galatians 1.2). It is used when speaking of the local congregation, "of the church in Sardis" (Revelation 3.1). Finally, it is used referring to the worship services, "But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church" (1 Corinthians 14.28). "Church" does not refer to the brick and mortar of a building, it refers to the people. In one sense the word ekklesia can be used to refer to any group of people separated from the general population. For instance, a jury is a group of people separated from the general population for a specific purpose; to determine guilt of innocence. A school baseball team is a number of players separated from the student population for the purpose of playing baseball. However, in the New Testament it refers to those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. The word "of" means: from, as, forced by, about, concerning, in, belonging to, related to, or connected with. It is this last definition that we want to notice. When the word "church" is connected with "of" it is saying the people related to, or, the people connected with, or, the people belonging to. Denominations use the term Church of , as religious title, where the phrase Church of is supposed to be a descriptive term. Hence, church of Christ refers to the people belonging to Christ. Recently a question was posed if we should really use the phrase church of Christ? Does having a sign with the phrase make it denominational in attitude and practice? I will readily admit that I wish more places with church of Christ would take down their signs. This made me to think (which is dangerous in and of itself). I saw a sign which read "church of Christ" and below it read, Ministers: each and every member. I like that! What if the sign actually said what the church was like? For instance, the Ephesians may have had a sign that read "church of Christ' but Jesus said it should have read "the church of those who have left their first love" (Revelation 2.4). Smyrna could have had a sign reading "the church of those receiving the crown of life" (Revelation 2.10), Pergamos, "the church of Balaam or the church of the Nicolatians" (Revelation 2.14-15), Thyatira, "the church of Jezebel" (Revelation 2.17) ans Sardis, "the church of the dead" (Revelation 3.1). Of course they did not have signs but that is what Jesus said they were "of". How about today? Could you see a sign reading, "the church of the nagging and complaining?” or "the church of presumptuous people?” or "the church of those that wear good clothes but are hypocrites?” It boggles the mind all the different "the church of" signs we could come up with. How about the church of the backbiting? Members there gossip and tear one another down. A good sermon on Galatians 5.15, "But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another," would be in order or the church of inactivity and laziness. Some congregations are content to keep house and keep the doors open. Nothing else is going on at that kind of place. How about the church of the dead and rigor mortis? I do not have to elaborate on that one or, the church of zeal without knowledge. This is a branch of the one established by those people described in Romans 10.2, "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge." Some places can entertain you with hand clapping, foot stomping music and excitement. They are busy with eating together and recreation. People feel good but they do not have the truth. How about, the church of those trying their best to serve God? They may be small in number but they are doing their best. Those folks are reading the Bible daily. They look for scriptural authority for all they do and teach. They apply 1 Peter 4.11, "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever." or, the church of the humble and sincere or, the church of true love and devotion. They love God enough to keep His commandments, John 14.15. I think you get the idea. If Jesus came today and put a sign that reads, "church of , what would it say here? What kind of a church do you want to be a member of? Remember the church refers to the people and the people are you and I. This is another thought about the church. Since the church is made up of the people and we are the church here. Then the church reflects us and our values. If we are worldly and immature then the church here will be worldly and immature. If we are spiritually minded and loving then the church here will be spiritually minded and loving. When we complain about "those people" or "that group" and we are part of that group or those people then we are really complaining about ourselves. How many times have we wished the church was more . (You can fill in the blank as you deem best.) For the local congregation to be growing its members must be growing. For it to be spreading the Gospel we have to be spreading the Gospel. Since you and I can only control ourselves then for the church to be you and I have to be . Think about it. -- Dennis Tucker |