|
Church (English) = ekklesía (Greek), the called out, a congregation, an assembly of people, the community of the saved. Since Jesus built His church:
Matt 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
NIV And God bought it with His blood:
Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.
NIV And Paul and Barnabus met with the church, a group called disciples and Christians:
Acts 11:26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
NIV And Jesus is head of the church, His body:
Eph 1:22-23 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
NIV Which is ordained to reveal God's wisdom:
Eph 3:10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
NIV And the church is to be an eternal source of glory to God:
Eph 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
NIV So I am quite glad to belong to the Lord's church, His called out, purchased people, His body.
| 