And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, Acts 11:21-23
The word ‘Church’ here is the Greek word ‘ekklesia’ meaning an assembly, congregation, church; the Church, the whole body of Christian believers. We often think that the Church is a ‘place’, or a building, or a time and type of service… but it is NOT! The ekklesia are the PEOPLE who come together under the One Shepherd named Jesus.
Paul even writes to the Corinthians that began to identify their ‘group’ by their leader’s name.
“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
We are NOT to be divided or territorial in our groups that we meet with. The Church in America has become VERY divided. Also… the practice of Sunday or Wednesday or Friday ‘theater’ meetings have become the meaning of “church” – again which is wrong. IT’S NOT the service… it’s the coming together of the people! When you get together with other Christians what do you want to do? Do you want to sit in a big theater and watch a performance, or a lecture? Or do you want to discuss Jesus and what He is doing in each of our lives? Do you want to discuss the Word? Do you want to ask questions and listen to how Jesus and the Holy Spirit are working in people’s lives? Are we told to go to a theater and listen about Jesus or are we called to make disciples? What did Jesus tell us to do?
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
This IS our calling! ALL OF US who believe in Jesus!! Are we to build buildings or make disciples? Just asking for a friend. How do we make disciples? Inviting them to a theater? Or should we talk, live, teach, discuss, confess, forgive, repent, testify, pray, and listen to the Holy Spirit, and fellowship together? Or do we just need to sit in a theater and facing forward and just listen to the single speaker and never ask any questions?
Is that how disciples are made? So… what if we do that every day with others – do I still need to sit in a theater (Church Service) once a week? What rules did Jesus give us about HOW we are to meet?
Are our traditions redefining our understanding of what the Word says?
Too many people think ‘Church’ is the Sunday Service meeting or the meeting that happens in a theater like setting. Yet – that is NOT the scriptural definition. The ekklesia are the people coming together as small as two or three.
Jesus said…
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20
Think of the ekklesia as getting together with other Jesus followers (as small as one or two others) and acknowledging Him in your midst! THIS IS the Church!