Ephesians 1 is a great introduction of the book as it deals with the scheme of redemption and the product of God’s design being the ekklesia, the called-out people of God. Also, it describes the role of the Holy Spirit. The longest single sentence in our English translations is Ephesians 1:3-15. It is significant to…
Our English word “church” is derived from the Greek word “kuriakos,” meaning “belonging to the Lord” or “pertaining to the Lord. It is used in the expression, “the Lord’s supper” in 1 Corinthians 11:20. It is the supper belonging to the Lord. While “kuriakos” can be translated “church,” “ekklesia” should not be translated “church.” Granted,…
In the absence of local church organizations, there is still a distinction between individual action and a plurality of other individual saints in the same community. The principle of autonomy, i.e., independent accountability, is biblically applied to the individuals that together make up the body, not to local church organizations. For the sake of illustration,…
1. The Effect of your teaching is Isolation From Brethen Someone may have the idea that this writing may lead to disjointed individuals who may or may not be joined together. This is a typical response of an institutionalized person. It is certain that no member of the human body can function if it is…
Another human production of using unsound words that corresponds with the unscriptural practices is the use of the word “church”. First, let us be reminded as to the personal accountability to sound words and to Paul’s charge not to teach a different doctrine (1 Tim. 1:3-4). It is within the same context that Paul identifies…
Denominations from the Protestant reformation have inherited a mindset from the Mother of all churches that God is pleased with the formation of local church organizations composed of bishops or an equivalent rank who rule over the people. Some traditions make the clergy/laity distinction more pronounced than others. Yet, the effect is the same –…
To further distinguish between the biblical concept of ekklesia and the modern concept of the church, consider the example of education. The education of children starts with the father. God placed the care of children in his hands, which includes education (cf. Eph. 6:1). Of course, our culture has placed education within the jurisdiction of…