• The Greek word ekklesia (ἐκκλησία) is a compound word that means “called out.”
  • Acts 19:32, 39, 41
  • The word refers to called out people without regard to who they are, where they are, how many there are, or the circumstances or relationships involved.
  • In regard to God’s people the word refers to called out people without regard to who they are, where they are, how many there are, or the circumstances or relationships involved.
  • Acts 7:38
  • Romans 16:4, 16
  • Acts 14:26 – the church assembled
  • Churches in houses:
    • I Corinthians 16:19 – Remember “church” is called out people, but who they are and their relationship must be determined by context. Were the called out in their house?
      • Old Testament saints?
      • The church universal in their house?
      • A congregation?
      • The church assembled?
      • Saints in a congregation viewed distributively?
      • Saints in their house?
    • Romans 16:5 – All through this context, it is simply groups of saints being talked about.
    • Colossians 4:15 – Did Nympha have another church in his house, or does “church which is in his house” simply refer to the saints in his house?
    • Philemon 1:2 – Were Philemon and Apphia members of one congregation in Colossae and Archippus of another or did Paul address Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the “called out” in his house?
    • The evidence in each case strongly favors the idea that “church in their house” simply refers to the “ekklesia,” i.e., Christians in their house.