The Greek word “ekklesia” in the New Testament

  • Israel in the wilderness (Acts 7:38)
  • Riotous mob (Acts 19:32, 40-41)
  • Legal court (Acts 19:38-39)
  • Here’s the first place we find it in the New Testament: Matthew 16:18
    • “I will build my church” (singular)
    • Matthew 4:4; Ephesians 1:22-23
  • Here’s the last place we find it: Revelation 22:16
    • “the churches” (plural)
    • Acts 15:41
    • Romans 16:16

Salvation

“church”

  • Membership is equivalent to salvation
  • Ephesians 5:23-29
  • Hebrews 12:22-24
  • Matthew 16:13-20

“churches”

  • Members are not necessarily saved (I Corinthians 5), and the saved are not necessarily members.
  • Acts 8:38-39 – The eunuch was not a member of any local church (yet), but he was in a saved relationship with God.
  • Revelation 1:9

Important note

  • The universal church is not composed of local churches. It’s composed of individual Christians.