Today, the word "church" is a distinctly religious word. In today's world, the word "church" is synonymous with the words "Christian religion." Virtually every expression of Christian religion is expressed by its association with a "church." Even independent churches have theological connections with a "church" movement. In this nation (and many others), when people hear the word "church" they automatically think the word "religion." Rarely is the word "church" used in today's world outside of a religious context.
It surprises many to learn that "church" did not begin as a religious word. Originally, it was not a Christian thought and concept. Initially it was a political word in an idolatrous world and had a secular emphasis. It referred to a political gathering of people "called out" to address matters that affected the community or city.
Consider: when Jesus declared, "I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18), he was referring to an understanding/concept the disciples knew. Jesus used the word "church" infrequently. In referring to God's purposes, he more frequently spoke of God's "kingdom." In using the word "church" in Matthew 16, he related his objective to an existing concept. "Just as cities have called out people to deliberate on matters pertaining to the city's interests, I, too, will develop a called out people to deliberate on matters pertaining to God's purposes." Instead of Jesus' called out focusing on political concerns, his called out would focus on God's concerns.
The common usage of the word "church" exists in the original language of the New Testament. Ekklesia is occasionally both translated or not translated when it refers to something besides Jesus' called out. In Acts 19, ekklesia is not translated church when it referred to a pagan assembly. The situation is described in Acts 19:28-41. Demetrius, the silversmith who earned his living by making shrines of Artemis, caused a general uproar in Ephesus. The city was filled with confusion and a large group rushed to the amphitheater (verse 29). Many chanted, "Great is Artemis of Ephesus!" (verse 28). The chant produced the confusion, and the confusion resulted in an assembly. In verse 32 the gathering is called ekklesia and is translated "the assembly" (NAS, KJV, RSV, Philips, NIV, Jerusalem Bible, NEB). The TEV translation uses the words, "the whole meeting." Ekklesia occurs again in verse 41 in the NAS translation and is again translated with the words "the assembly."
The point is not that these are poor translations. The point is that ekklesia was an understood concept in the first century Roman world, a profoundly unchristian world. In its common concept, the word had nothing to do with the Christian movement. It could even be used in reference to a confused, illegal assembly of idol worshippers who advocated loyalty to the idol Artemis. In the amphitheater at Ephesus, those gathered represented the concern of the idolatrous population of the city as a reaction against Christian teachings and influences.
The Christian, Stephen, used ekklesia to refer to the nation of Israel assembled at the foot of Mount Sinai when they received the ten commandments. They were "the church in the wilderness." They were called out of Egypt and then assembled at Sinai to receive directives from the God who called them out of Egypt.
The called out were called from something to something for a specific purpose. Politically, they were an assembly called out of the general population to consider matters concerning the entire population. They were called out to consider matters bigger than themselves. In the same manner, those entering Jesus Christ through God's redemption needed to realize that they left the general population of the enslaved to evil to be God's holy ones. Though they were called out from evil's enslavement, they were concerned for those continuing in evil's enslavement. In Christ, they were about God's purposes, not the purposes of physical desires and lusts that opposed God. As those called out to be God's, they were concerned about matters bigger than themselves.
The common concept of "church" today [held both by many who are Christians and many who are not Christians] is centered: (1) in buildings, (2) in attendance, (3) in membership, and (4) in a religious belief system. To ask, "Where do you go to church?" is often understood to be a question concerning: (1) a location, (2) frequenting that location, (3) membership in the group at that location, and (4) acceptance of a religious belief system declared at that location. In those matters [and more], today's concept of "church" and the first century concept of "church" are quite different.
Interestingly, today's concept often has little or no association with the concept of being Christ and God's called out. A person can "go to church" regularly, be "a member," and affirm acceptance of specific beliefs while living and acting like people who do not "go to church," do not have "membership" in a church, and do not endorse Christian beliefs. We live in a society with a divorce rate of about 50% for first marriages. "Members of the church" have a divorce rate of about 50% for first marriages. An identifiable segment of those who are not Christians nurture addictions to pornography. An identifiable segment of "church members" nurture addictions to pornography. An identifiable segment of those who are not Christians have sexual affairs. And identifiable segment of "church members" have sexual affairs. Lust, greed, dishonesty, and materialism are common expressions among those who are not Christians. Lust, greed, dishonesty, and materialism are common expressions among "church members."
Please note: deep-seated lifestyles among those who do not desire Christian ethics [Christian concepts of right and wrong] or morals [consistently living with one's understanding of right and wrong] will be found among Christ and God's called out. The presence of unethical and immoral practices among the called out is not as significant as the motivations behind unethical and immoral behavior. If the person is growing toward spiritual maturity by learning to depend on God to escape unethical, immoral behavior/thoughts/emotions/practices, his or her journey is godly. If the person wears the external appearance of godliness while condoning personal ungodliness, he or she insults God. Look at 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, 1 Corinthians 6:15-20, Galatians 5:16-24, Ephesians 4:17-32, Philippians 3:17-21, and Colossians 3:1-11. Remember these statements were written to baptized believers. Obviously, they were still learning the meaning of being the called out. That meant more than declaring faith in the risen Jesus Christ as Lord! It also meant changing lifestyles and purpose in life! Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord changes lifestyles. However, that change requires new understandings and continuous growth.
Thought and discussion statement. Discuss the following statement: "Being one of the called out involves what one believes and his or her private and public lifestyle."
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 2