The Greek Word for Church is:Ekklesia—So What?

Eph. 4:1-6

1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Eph. 4:1-6

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Rom. 8:28-30

The Church, A Called Out Assembly

The Church, A Called Out Assembly• No ecclesiastical vocabulary

The Church, A Called Out Assembly• No ecclesiastical vocabulary• Literally means: a called out assembly

The Church, A Called Out Assembly• No ecclesiastical vocabulary• Literally means: a called out assembly• The word church (ekklesia) in the N.T.

The Church, A Called Out Assembly• No ecclesiastical vocabulary• Literally means: a called out assembly• The word church (ekklesia) in the N.T.• Found 115 times in the New Testament

The Church, A Called Out Assembly• No ecclesiastical vocabulary• Literally means: a called out assembly• The word church (ekklesia) in the N.T.• Found 115 times in the New Testament• Four times does not refer to the church

The Church, A Called Out Assembly• No ecclesiastical vocabulary• Literally means: a called out assembly• The word church (ekklesia) in the N.T.• Found 115 times in the New Testament• Four times does not refer to the church

• Study of four times it does not mean church

The Church, A Called Out Assembly• No ecclesiastical vocabulary• Literally means: a called out assembly• The word church (ekklesia) in the N.T.• Found 115 times in the New Testament• Four times does not refer to the church

• Study of four times it does not mean church• Acts 7:38—the church in the wilderness

The Church, A Called Out Assembly• No ecclesiastical vocabulary• Literally means: a called out assembly• The word church (ekklesia) in the N.T.• Found 115 times in the New Testament• Four times does not refer to the church

• Study of four times it does not mean church• Acts 7:38—the church in the wilderness• Acts 19:32, 39, 41

The Church, A Called Out Assembly• No ecclesiastical vocabulary• Literally means: a called out assembly• The word church (ekklesia) in the N.T.• Found 115 times in the New Testament• Four times does not refer to the church

• Study of four times it does not mean church• Acts 7:38—the church in the wilderness• Acts 19:32, 39, 41• It is ordinary word for an assembly

The Church, A Called Out Assembly• No ecclesiastical vocabulary• Literally means: a called out assembly• The word church (ekklesia) in the N.T.• Found 115 times in the New Testament• Four times does not refer to the church

• Study of four times it does not mean church• Acts 7:38—the church in the wilderness• Acts 19:32, 39, 41• It is ordinary word for an assembly

• God gives ordinary words special meaning

Some Verses Describing our Calling

Some Verses Describing our Calling 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Cor. 1:2

Some Verses Describing our Calling 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Cor. 1:2 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Cor. 1:9

Some Verses Describing our Calling 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Cor. 1:2 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Cor. 1:9 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,

Gal. 1:15

Some Verses Describing our Calling 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Cor. 1:2 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Cor. 1:9 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace,

Gal. 1:15 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Gal. 5:13

Some Verses Describing our Calling 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Tim. 6:12

Some Verses Describing our Calling 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Tim. 6:12

9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began . . .

2 Tim. 1:9

Called “Out of” -- Called “into”

Called “Out of” -- Called “into”• Sin

Called “Out of” -- Called “into”• Sin Salvation

Called “Out of” -- Called “into”• Sin Salvation• Sins

Called “Out of” -- Called “into”• Sin Salvation• Sins Sanctification

Called “Out of” -- Called “into”• Sin Salvation• Sins Sanctification• Self

Called “Out of” -- Called “into”• Sin Salvation• Sins Sanctification• Self “Servanthood”

Becoming Part of His Calling

• Believe in Him John 3:16

• Repent—decide to obey Acts 17:30

• Confess Christ Rom. 10:9

• Baptized to be saved Acts 22:16

Added to His Kingdom, His church

Letting God Direct Your Life

• Believe in Him John 3:16

• Repent—decide to obey Acts 17:30

• Confess Christ Rom. 10:9

• Baptized to be saved Acts 22:16

Added to His Kingdom, His church

• Be faithful until death Rev. 2:10