- 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.
- 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?
JJ
February 12, 2017
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