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What is 'The Church'?
By Apostle Cathryn Ndyabagye
What is 'The Church?
The English word Church is denoted from both the Greek and Hebrew Language.
The modern Greek word for church is - ekklesia (εκκλησία) whereas the modern Hebrew word for church is k'nessiah (כנסיה).
In ancient Greek, Ekklesia meant an assembly, sometimes translated as congregation.
Never did it say that the Building was the Church...
In ancient Greek culture it was not used to refer to a religious assembly but a political one.
From the Greek "ekk" meaning "out" , "kaleo" meaning "called", therefore ekklesia, in the New Testament, could mean a gathering of Christians called out of the Roman or Judean political systems to
unite into a separate civil community. Greek kyriakon "of the Lord" referred to houses of Christian worship, or churches, since about 300 A.D.
There is no Ancient Hebrew word for church, because at the time when Ancient Hebrew was spoken, there were no churches.
In other words, Church in Hebrew means a congregation and not a building.
The Church is the 'body of believers'. We 'are' the Church. We become the Church when we come together as a family of God to offer; thanksgiving and to bring before Him our needs and the needs of the world.
So people come on, stop thinking that going to the building is GOING TO CHURCH. We only become the Church when we assemble in that building. Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
The Bible says in Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
This is exactly what it means as the body of Christ. This is exactly what it means to be the Church.
We can assemble under a tree, out in a field, or in a building. No matter where the Church body decides to gather, or assembly to pray, they will be the Church.
So with that in mind, if you think about it, when you say you are going to Church. That is biblically incorrect.
If we say we are going to assemble to pray or worship as a Church, then this is the correct biblical description for
the Church. This meaning has been distorted over the generations just like many other phrases have. It's good to know the correct meaning of THE CHURCH according to the Word of God.
“In the early days of Christianity, The Church gradually spread through the Roman Empire and outside it, gaining major establishments in cities such as Jerusalem, Antioch, and Edessa.” This statement means the community of believers multiplied in number. The Church grew rapidly until it was finally legalized and then promoted by Emperors Constantine and Theodosius I in the fourth century.
In the times of The Acts of Apostles, many agreed to assemble in places like: their homes or under tress yet they never called such a place The Church.
The New Testament calls the Church--the Believers. They are also called the Bride
of Christ. In a nutshell, the Church refers to Jesus' family, his mother and brothers, and sisters. And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother." Mathew 12:49-50
So, next time you go to your Sunday Service, think twice about saying you are are in the Church. It’s correct to say you are meeting with the Church.
