Jesus only said the word Ekklēsia translated as “church” twice in all of the New Testament. Once in Matthew 16:15-19 and again in Matthew 18:17. These discourses should be concerning considering how much stock Christians put in the building and politics of their local “church”.
Before going further it’s important to note that the word “church” itself is derived from a different Greek word, “kuriakos” which only appears itself twice in the New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 11:20 and Revelation 1:10. It means “the Lord’s”. Ekklēsia on the other hand appears more than 100 times, and NOT just in the New Testament. How could it appear earlier than Christ Himself? Well, that’s the problem. Ekklēsia may not mean what you’ve been led to believe that it means. Instead, it means any formal assembly.
In Matthew 18:16-17 Jesus says: “But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.“
Translating the word Ekklēsia to mean “Christian body of believers” may be technically correct in this context, but only because of the context not because of the word itself. He is simply stating that rather than “one or two others” escalate it to the larger group. He was most likely not endorsing yet another Sanhedrin type of hierarchy. The Sanhedrin was an “Ekklēsia” as well.
The word can be used to represent any assembly, especially civil assemblies of elected officials. In fact, in Matthew 16:18 – the only other time Jesus uses the word – he establishes more specific context for this very purpose: “on this rock I will build my church“. Note the word “my” in there. He does not say “the church” in this instance. Remember that word “kuriakos”? He has essentially specified that the assembly Peter will build is His (“The Lord’s”) because Ekklēsia does not imply it alone.
Translators and the neo-Sanhedrin found it convenient to translate the word as though all mentions of “assembly” meant Jesus’ assembly and then went further to insinuate that the entire “body” of believers could also be defined as such. As you probably already know, it’s this same convenient decision that leads to the Catholic establishment of the Pope as the “only” fleshly “head” of the entire body of believers. The “body” and each “church” were different things in Jesus’ words, yet later people changed them to synonyms.
We’ve discussed before the importance of the later verses of Matthew 20: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” to the proper understanding of what Jesus was establishing. If we must choose just one passage to hang our hierarchical hat on, then Matthew 20 is the less self-aggrandizing of them. Of course, properly interpreted, these scriptures are not in conflict. Jesus did establish an assembly, a flat assembly of brothers of which He is one of us, and God is our Father. This culminates in His being “The King of Kings”, yet our King is also our brother. It’s truly the greatest story ever told.
Later in the New testament as “Ekklēsia” gets repeated in different contexts, Paul does establish designations based around the gifts that Christ doles out (Ephesians 4:11). However, even that is not modeled by institutional assemblies today & did not appear to be hierarchical in Paul’s view. Where are all of the roles? Apostles? Who even knows what that is? Prophets? A large portion of professing believers reject the existence of Prophets at all (of course they do, what modern pastor could tolerate a modern prophet?). The fact is plain to see. If Jesus were actually establishing “church” as we know it today, He would certainly have mentioned it more than twice and He wouldn’t have directly commanded His followers not to establish hierarchies.
What Jesus mentions many more than two times is “Kingdom”. In fact before Pilate He explicitly states: “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” – John 18:36
What kind of madness, idolatry, and abomination have we perpetuated at the behest of power hungry neo-Sadducees? Perhaps an abomination that causes desolation? Have we really watched idly as all of the sins of the Pharisees have been imitated in what we now refer to as “church”? Even Tyndale chose the word “congregation” over “church” because of the danger he foresaw. Please dear brothers and sisters, please consider this last part very carefully.
We are not proposing that everyone quit going to “churches” on Sunday. Only God can guide one to that decision. The world is very confused and opposed to anything that would please God. So God may well call you to work within the “congregations” or as we call them “clubs” to see the gospel preached. Even if you attend the best club you could imagine we simply ask that you do not enter those doors with the belief that you are no longer in the world, rather enter those doors as a way to face the world. Enter those places as “salt & light” and as an opportunity to be such in a place that should encourage such.
When you find that they do not encourage such, take joy in knowing that Jesus’ Kingdom transcends the walls of any building. Remember what Jesus told the Samaritan woman 2000 years ago, and take this to heart. Even if those at your local church oppose you, it doesn’t mean that God opposes you. Persecution comes in many forms, even inside of Christian clubs. The truth has been whittled down century-after-century, so speaking the whole truth today will not be popular, even in “church”. Yet buildings aren’t where Kingdom worship happens. No, Jesus told the Samaritan woman, 2000 years ago:
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” – John 4:23
Be the kind of worshipers our Father seeks despite what people do. Modern churches are imitation kingdoms. Often built to appear like castles themselves they amount to a man-made idol. The imitation kingdom is complete with little kings, little queens, and even court jesters. Many convinced that they are serving God by lording over people. The imitation is meaningless compared to “Spirit and Truth”.
So go out as “sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” This is not truth that those attending religiously will want to hear. Yet if we are patient and shrewd the chains of religion can fall away and better yet, we can assist new believers in avoiding those chains. You will have enemies, many are invested far too deeply in their model of Christianity to admit these problems. They won’t want people set free after all that’s been invested in installing those chains. We ourselves often don’t want to be set free once we’ve “tried so hard” to be “part of something“. Yet the only thing we are part of that matters is Christ, we cannot add anything to that but lies.
Hi,
I came across a comment of yours on a Blaze article about a baby left in a car. I applaud your pragmatism; indeed, it is refreshing and rare in this late hour.
I laughed at the pop-up in your website- a reference to the remnant and a warning, of sorts, that non-elect wouldn’t care for the articles. Only the elect ‘get it’.
Having said that, as we near the finality of Daniel’s 70th week, the elect are on the lookout for fellow sheep (many are disguised as goats, but are, in fact, sheep). When I come across posters like yourself, my curiosity is piqued, and I wonder, ‘Have I found one?’
In the same vein as your pop-up warning, I offer you the same. A link to a true, remnant Bible teacher who teaches no opinions or vain traditions. But, goats won’t like him. Only the sheep will hear (akuou: hear and obey). The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them. God causes His sheep to hear and obey when He sees fit.
In the spirit of this article, a fair warning- the churches today are whitened sepulchers full of dead men’s bones. Opinions and emotions reign supreme and only a very *few* want the Truth. Christ warned there were two Jesus’. The professing ‘Christian’ world wonders after the false Christ and rabidly hates those who preach the true Jesus. One says: God wants you happy, ‘accept’ Jesus, God wants you to be healthy and wealthy, and to be accepting and tolerant of anything and everything, and that God loves everyone. The other Jesus says: Death to ‘self’, carry your daily cross, Christians are appointed to persecution, Christmas and Easter are pagan, and God does not love (agape) everyone, only His wife, the Church. (Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for *her*!! Not for every single individual in this world.)
The website is Graceandtruth.net
May the Lord’s will (thelema: determination) be done.
‘Have I found one?’ – I’ll tell you this about at least some of the folks here, we will never attempt to burn you, or the modern-American equivalent (assassinate your character), if we disagree on trivial things. I think most would find our estimate of the importance of matters of doctrine (those things that we deem trivial) completely out-of-sync with most church attendees. We frankly only care where you worship in cases where their notorious doctrinal excesses overshadow Christ himself, such as is the case with JWs and many Mormons. We frankly don’t mind if you appreciate an artist’s rendition of Mary, but if you think that someone must kiss that statue to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we will not be more hopeful for your soul than for someone currently lost in Islam. We are not interested in traditions, distortions, or abominations. We observe communion because Christ said to, and for us it is a meal of fellowship, NOT a magic cookie and tiny plastic cup. We sing because Christ Himself did, and we still consider David’s example before Michal to epitomize his status as a “man after God’s own heart.” We observe and encourage Baptism beyond the age of accountability and tolerate christening as a form of dedication similar to Samuel’s dedication by Hannah. We DO NOT attribute any power at all to the water, to the “Eucharist”, nor to any image. God is Spirit, and those who Worship Him do so in Spirit and in Truth.
My family personally observes Saturday Sabbath as a personal act of worship and obedience. I have no intention of declaring anyone “anathema” for choosing otherwise. I believe the whole Bible can be summed up precisely the way Jesus said: “Love the Lord your God with everything you have.” Or as Keith Green said: be “bananas for Jesus.” I love to consider the signs of the times, ponder them, and discuss them as I look expectantly for the return of my Lord and Savior Jesus who I trust so completely that I need nothing more than what He left me, especially The Helper.
I could go on and on about titles and positions and ambitions and preferences but Jesus is King, the rest is distraction. If people get caught up in trivial things and try to force others to do the same upon penalty of their gossip and hate, then I believe those people are wolves, and again can only hope that they will come to the Lord. Hence thesis #11 among others.
I love to meet new brothers, and I do hope you are one.
Those were my comments you saw. Les really went into detail about the problem with gubment intrusion into the family and the many excuses they find to do it in this post:
http://reformation20.org/2015/07/carrots-shelves-and-foster-care/
I’ll look into your site, and I bet the other guys here will too. A lot of articles and comments here mention seeking out the remnant and fellowship with them no matter where they may be.
Thank you.
You have struck the nail properly. KNOW YOUR ENEMY!
Come out from her….. Babylon. Religion is her name….. separation from Christ and the Father is her game. Oh Father, let them see, for she is of old. He put emnity between His seed and the serpent. The Great Liar can transform into an angel of light and uses religion to separate man from Christ.
http://biblehub.com/kjv/revelation/12.htm
1And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
5And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 6And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
The War in Heaven
7And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
The Dragon Persecutes the Woman
13And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 14And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 15And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Satan waited for the man child to be born of her, in Judaism. The twelve stars are the tribes of Jacob. But the King, our brother ascended into heaven.
let me just say OUCH! this is so right but also so difficult to hear. I appreciate that you do not tell anyone to stop going to church.