WHAT IS THE "CHURCH"?
(The Church — God's Masterpiece Pt. 2)
by Pastor-teacher Dennis Rokser
If someone were to mention to you the word "church," what would you think of? Perhaps you would visualize a brick building on a street corner where the pastor matches, batches and dispatches people. Or you might think of a denominational group that has the same doctrines, organization, or history like… the "Lutheran Church"… or the "Methodist Church." But when the Bible employs the term "church," what does it mean?
THE FIRST MENTION OF THE "CHURCH"
In Matthew chapter 16, we are introduced to the very first mention of the word "church" in the Bible.
"When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:13-18)
Understanding the historical context relative to the book of Matthew is very helpful in grasping the significance of these statements. The theme of the book of Matthew is to present the Lord Jesus Christ as "the King of the Jews."
It is important to note that after the rejection of the unbelieving Jewish spiritual leaders in the "blaspheming against the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 12), there is a definite shift in Christ's ministry. Unlike Matthew 3:2, 4:17, and 10:7, no longer is the kingdom of heaven said to be "at hand." Matthew 13 underscores that the kingdom then would be in mystery form. For the first time in Matthew's account Jesus Christ specifically announces His death and resurrection.
"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Mt. 12:40)
"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day." (Mt. 16:21)
Also for the first time our Lord predicts the building of His "church" (ekklesia).
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)
WHAT IS THE "EKKLESIA"?
In Matthew 16:18 we observe from the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ something new and foreign to His disciples. "I will build my church (ekklesia)" is something entirely new to Christ's teaching and God's revealed program for the ages. Can you imagine seeing these disciples scratching their theological heads saying, "you will build your what?" So exactly what did Jesus Christ mean when He uttered this word "ekklesia"?
"Ekklesia" is derived from the Greek preposition/prefix "ek" which means "out or out from," and the verb "kaleo" which means "to call." Literally the word "ekklesia" means "the called-out from ones." The Greek history of ekklesia is insightful to its meaning. Ancient Greece was comprised of self-governing city-states such as Athens and Sparta. When city-related business needed to be addressed, a herald would declare in the market square… "The Ekklesia is in session in one hour." In doing so, the people were being called out of the marketplace or out of their stores. They then were to make their way to the Areopagus where they would be involved as an assembly in governing the city-state. This group of people who were called out of their places of work in order to assemble together as a group were called "the ekklesia."1 By the way, there were those who refused to close their stores and gather together with the rest. These were called the "idiotes."
What is an "ekklesia" in a general sense? It is a summoned, autonomous, assembly of people, regardless of its nature. This is supported by its non-biblical Greek usage referring to an army, judges, religious groups, or political assemblies.2
Dr. Earl Radmacher comments regarding the definition of ekklesia:
"The Greek background and the Hebrew background are both in agreement with regard to the root meaning, namely, an assembly; an autonomous, self-governing assembly."3
THE NEW TESTAMENT USAGE OF "EKKLESIA"
As one traces the biblical usage of the word "ekklesia," three distinguishable uses are found.
Ekklesia used in a GENERAL SENSE
In a very generic sense, ekklesia is used in the Bible of a Diana-worshipping assembly of craftsmen and people that were in a confused uproar over the inroads of the Gospel of Grace at Ephesus.
"And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly." (Acts 19:28-41)
Ekklesia was also used in a general sense of a court of law in Acts 19:39.
"But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly." (Acts 19:39)
Furthermore, the martyr Stephen employs ekklesia in a non-technical sense to refer to the nation of Israel during its past wilderness wanderings.
"This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us." (Acts 7:35-38)
Highlighting an important dispensational distinction, the Scofield Reference Bible comments,
"Israel in the land is never called a church. In the wilderness Israel was a true church (Gr. Ecclesia = called-out assembly), but in striking contrast with the N.T. ecclesia (Mt. 18:18), an assembly of called-out ones. The word is used of any assembly; the word itself implies no more, as e.g., the town meeting at Ephesus (Acts 19:39), and Israel, called out of Egypt and assembled in the wilderness (Acts 7:.38). Israel was a true "church," but not in any sense the N.T. church — the only point of similarity being that both were "called out" and by the same God. All else is contrast."4
Ekklesia used of the LOCAL CHURCH
As one studies the book of Acts, along with the Epistles and Revelation, they can not help but notice that ekklesia normally takes on a consistent technical meaning. It is used repeatedly of a local assembly of professing believers in Christ.
"Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch." (Acts 11:22)
"Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." (Acts 13:1)
"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours." (1 Cor. 1:2)
"I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church." (3 John 1:9-10)
"John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne." (Revelation 1:4)
Ekklesia used of the UNIVERSAL CHURCH
Less frequently than used for the local church, ekklesia is used to refer to the universal body of believers in Christ made up of saved Jews and Gentiles from the Day of Pentecost to the Rapture.
"And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1:22-23)
"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby." (Ephesians 2:14-16)
"Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel." (Ephesians 3:5-6)
"To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God." (Ephesians 3:10)
So what is the church? The church is a summoned, autonomous, assembly of people, whether it is used in a general way (Ephesian mob, court of law, Israel in the wilderness), or in a technical sense (the local or universal church).
THE CONTENT OF MATTHEW 16:18
What then did Christ mean in Matthew 16:18?
The FOUNDATION of the Church
"Thou art Peter (petros) and upon this rock (petra) I will build my church…"
Again the Scofield Reference Bible proves helpful.
"There is in the Greek a play upon the words, thou art Peter [petros — literally, 'a little rock'], and upon this rock [Petra] I will build my church." He does not promise to build His church upon Peter, but Himself, as Peter himself is careful to tell us."5
"To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." (1 Peter 2:4-9)
The Foundation of the church would be nothing less than the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Cor. 3:11)
Remember that Christ's pronouncement of this future church follows on the heels of Peter's declaration,
"Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God alone is viewed as the Rock; it is never a man
¾ including Peter. (Deut. 32:3-4; Ps. 18:31, 28:1; Acts 4:10-12; Rom. 9:30-33; 1 Cor. 10:4)Since the person and work of Jesus Christ alone forms the foundation of the church, should it surprise us to read just three verses later…
"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day." (Mt. 16:21)
For anyone who finds it difficult to relinquish Peter as not being the rock, the Holy Spirit directed Matthew to write these words in the very next verse.
"Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." (Matthew 16:22)
So much for Peter being the rock!
The BUILDER of the Church
"I will build my church"
Jesus Christ is not only the Foundation of the church, He is the Builder of it. When people forget this, they inevitably design their own blueprint for building the church. In doing so, they actually compete with Jesus Christ and ultimately get in the way of Christ building His church, His way.
The BEGINNING of the Church
"I will build my church"
The Greek word "oikodomeso" (will build) is a future, active, indicative verb. His ekklesia would be built at some time future to this statement (future tense) by Christ (active voice) and this is a fact (indicative mood). This important statement demolishes several false concepts regarding the origin of the church. It indicates that the church did not begin with…
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:28)
Jesus Christ did not tell His disciples, "I have been building my church," nor "I am building my church," but "I WILL BUILD my church."
The OWNER of the Church
"I will build my church"
The church belongs to Jesus Christ alone, not to some pastor; not to some church board; neither to some denomination. It is the church of Jesus Christ, and pastors and boards do well to remember this! Peter himself underscores this when he told some elders in the church…
"Feed the flock of God which is among you." (1 Peter 5:2a)
The DURABILITY of the Church
"I will build my church, and the gates of hell (hades) shall not prevail against it."
This is a wonderful guarantee by Christ Himself regarding the durability of His church. But it seems best to understand this relative to the universal church, not the local church. Church history and personal experience attest to the destruction of many local churches. Furthermore, Jesus Christ did not say, "I will build my churches (plural), but rather "I will build my church (singular)."
So what did our Lord predict in Matthew 16:18? Jesus Christ prophesied that He alone would be the Builder, Owner, and Foundation of His future, universal church whose durability was so secure and guaranteed that even the gates of hades would not prevail against it.
WHAT THE CHURCH IS NOT
Having observed from the Scriptures what the church is, let us now clarify what it is not.
The Church is never referred to as a physical BUILDING.
The church is not where you go, but what you are part of. The church never refers to a building, though it may meet in a building.
"Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house." (Colossians 4:15)
The Church is never referred to as a DENOMINATION
You will find no denominations ever mentioned in the Bible. Why? Because a church by its very definition is under the headship of Christ and autonomous. This is why each of the seven churches of Asia Minor were personally evaluated and either commended or critiqued by our Lord (Revelation 2 & 3).
The Church is not a different name for ISRAEL.
Do you know what "Israel" means when you find it in the Bible, even in the New Testament? Israel! And while there are some commonalties between Israel and the Church, you must also carefully note their differences (an upcoming article). Follow the example of Paul!
"Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God." (1 Corinthians 10:32)
The Church is not synonymous with the MESSIANIC KINGDOM
While the church is presently being built up (Ephesians 4:12, 16), the earthly millennial kingdom in the future will be set up (Revelation 20:1-6). The church is not synonymous with the earthly, messianic, political, millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ.
The Church is not the same as CHRISTENDOM
The true church consists only of real believers in the Lord Jesus Christ regardless of what kind of local church they may or may not be a part of. Unless someone has been born again through faith alone in Christ alone, they may have churchianity, but they do not have Christianity. Christianity is not a religion, but a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Dear reader, which do you have? Are you a member in the universal ekklesia of our Lord Jesus Christ? Or are you simply a religious "idiotes"?
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Eph. 2:8-10)
In the next article in this series, we will consider the development of the church as it relates to the great commission of Christ and the book of Acts. Look for it!
Footnotes:
1 Trench, Richard C., "Synonyms of the New Testament" (pg. 1-2). This is supported further by J.C. Lambert, "Church" in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
2
Radmacher, Dr. Earl D., Video lectures which are part of a correspondence course from Western Seminary on "Ecclesiology" (p. 16)3
Ibid4
Scofield Reference Bible (p. 1158)5
Ibid (p. 1021)6
Kuiper R. B., "The Glorious Body of Christ" (p. 21-22)7
Hodge, Charles, "Systematic Theology" (p. 3:549)8
Carroll, "The Trail of Blood"9
Clearwaters, Richard V., "The Local Church" (p. 26)
Dennis Rokser has been involved with the Duluth Bible Church for the last 17 years, serving as pastor-teacher for the last thirteen years.
.