A Pew Words on the Church by Gene Filio

What is the Church?

The word translated “church” in the English Bible is ekklesia. This word is the Greek words kaleo (to call), with the prefix ek (out). Thus, the word means “the called out ones.” However, the English word “church” does not come from ekklesia but from the word kuriakon, which means “dedicated to the Lord.” This word was commonly used to refer to a holy place or temple. By the time of Jerome’s translation of the New Testament from Greek to Latin, it was customary to use a derivative of kuriakon to translate ekklesia. Therefore, the word church is a poor translation of the word ekklesia since it implies a sacred building, or temple. A more accurate translation would be “assembly” because the term ekklesia was used to refer to a group of people who had been called out to a meeting. It was also used as a synonym for the word synagogue, which also means to “come together,” i.e. a gathering. “Body of Christ” Since believers have been united with Christ through spiritual baptism, they are sometimes corporately referred to as the body of Christ. (Rom. l2:4-5; 1 Cor. l2:11,13,l8,27; Col. l:l8; Eph. 5:30) The church therefore means an assembly of believers gathered together as a worshipping community dedicated in worship and service to God and as a witnessing community to preach the gospel and to make disciples of all nations.

The Reinvented Church

The church has a crisis of identity. It has become a Reactive Church. The emphasis of churches today can be summed up in the following concepts:

First, the church is saying to itself, “God in me. God in you”. The church is reacting to the stimulus of human experiences in shaping its agenda and purpose.

Second, the church is looked at in, “God in socio-political-cultural perspective”. The church is being determined by sincere socio-political-cultural experiences in developing its agenda and purpose.

Third, the church is molded in, “God in tradition and heritage”. The church is being caged by Regulative Principles from a very commendable ecclesiastical era.

Reclaiming the Church

The church was built upon the foundation of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said to his disciples, who do you say I am? Peter answered saying, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God”. And Jesus said, “…upon this rock. I will build my church.”

The church is a worshipping community dedicated in worship and service to God. The duty, ministry and mission/missions of the church were committed and intended for the glorification of God and in the proclamation of the Gospel.

In the prayer of Jesus in John 17:13 he said, “Now this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God and Jesus whom you have sent.”

The church is a witnessing community empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 states, “And you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Great Commission is the impetus that moves the church to action.

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, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I will be with you until the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)

The Bible is the Word of God it is the only source and basis of the church faith and practices.

Tole, Lege