Ekklesia is the Greek word that’s usually translated as “church” in the New Testament. It’s first used by Jesus in Matthew 16:18 when Jesus proclaims: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” The word translated for us as church in Matthew 16:18 is ekklesia.
We should be aware that ekklesia is not always translated as “church” in the New Testament. Elsewhere we see ekklesia translated as a general assembly of people in Acts 19:32. Conversely, Hebrews 2:12 also translates ekklesia as assembly, but in the sense of a gathering of the people of God (or a congregation). Sometimes when ekklesia is translated as church it refers to a particular group of Christians at a certain location, like in Acts 8:1. Other times, like in Matthew 16:18, ekklesia is translated simply as a group of people who believe that Jesus is the Christ, like Ephesians 1:22.
Ekklesia is a word made from the common Greek prefix “ek” which means “out from” and the Greek word “kaleo” which means “to call.” In other words: the ekklesia is “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, [God’s] own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).” In this verse kaleo and ek are translated as “called you out.” This verse helps us to understand what and who the ekklesia is all about. The ekklesia is made up of those “called out” of sin and now saved and heaven bound. In other words, the ekklesia is the community of believers, the body of Christ, called out from the world to follow Jesus.
In this brief examination of ekklesia we can conclude that the church is made up of those called out of sin into salvation, who assemble together in certain locations as congregations to worship God.
Clearly the church is the community of believers and not a physical building. Yet, as the body of Christ, in order to gather together and worship together at a particular location (as a congregation) a “church building” is useful.
Looking back at Matthew 16:18, when Jesus said “I will build My church” He was talking about establishing a new assembly of people, gathered in His Name. He was talking about going to the cross and dying for our sins so that those who believe and are baptized into Him could be a part of His church. Here is how Acts 2:36-39 records it: “36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.””
It was on the day these words were preached that the people who obeyed the Gospel began to assemble in His Name. Acts 2:47 tells us about how the saved become a part of the assembly of Christians: “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
The ekklesia is an amazing gift built, blessed, and bestowed to us by Jesus. May we never take such a gift for granted, but instead cherish it as we assemble in His Name to worship Him.
