THE EKKLESIA CENTER
  • Home
  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • Free Resources
  • Learning Center
  • Contact
  • Non-clickable Page
  • Home
  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • Free Resources
  • Learning Center
  • Contact
  • Non-clickable Page

Ekklesia or Church, Hmmm...

8/3/2017

4 Comments

 
Picture
I often say in conversation or in my writings, that ekklesia (pronounced ek klay see ah), is not the original Greek word for church. Yet, I am well aware that anyone can google the word church, and find references that imply church and ekklesia are the same. This of course, this would appear to contradict everything I’ve said.

There is a growing number of writers, and online references that reveal the accurate Greek word for church is kyriakos or kyriakon. On the surface, there are compelling arguments for both for ekklesia to be interpreted as church, and for ekklesia not being the same as church.
​More confusion ensues as even among those who embrace the true understanding of ekklesia as they yet continue to use church and ekklesia interchangeably. Implicit in this practice is that church and ekklesia are the same. Again, I assert that they are not.
​What Difference Does It Make?
​There is no doubt in my mind that we are in the beginning stages of learning exactly what Jesus said and meant when He declared He would build His ekklesia (Matthew 16:18). One group of 
"...we are in the beginning stages of learning exactly what Jesus said and meant when He declared He would build His ekklesia..."
apostolic and prophetic ministers has declared that in 2017, “Many will teach on the “ekklesia” from their pulpits and in their conferences, inspiring the people of God to arise and be the called-out ones”.
All ancient manuscripts are clear on the fact that Jesus said He would build an ekklesia. He had other choices that were more ‘religious’ in their connotations. He could have said He would build His temple, which was the most common religious institution of His day. Likewise, He could have said He would build His synagogue, where the Torah and writing of the prophets were read on discussed. Instead, He said He would build His ekklesia, a secular entity, which was commonly known in that day as an arm of the Roman government.​
Why would Jesus use a term that was understood in secular terms, and that probably had some negative baggage attached to it? 
​Why would Jesus use a term that was understood in secular terms, and that probably had some negative baggage attached to it? The late Dr. Myles Monroe wrote, “The ekklesia was an arm of the Roman government that helped the governor administer the policies of Rome. Their job was to help ensure that the policies and decrees of Rome passed down to them through the governor were enacted and enforced throughout the region of their jurisdiction” (see God’s Big Idea: Reclaiming God’s Original Purpose for Your Life ©2008 Myles Monroe).
​The people in Jesus day not only understood WHO the ekklesia were, but they also understood WHAT they did. The ekklesia could establish policies, legislate, confer or deny citizenship, and elect officials. They were in fact, a called out ruling council.
​By using the word ekklesia, Jesus was declaring that in the same way that the Roman ekklesia was to ensure the policies of the governor of Rome were enacted, His ekklesia would be the arm of the Kingdom of God that would ensure that the polices and decrees of heaven were enacted and enforced in the earth (Matthew 16:19, Mark 16:17-18; John 20:23).
​Where Did Church Come From?
Although most English bibles translate the ekklesia into church, the fact is that church is a mistranslation. What is even more startling, is that this mistranslation was no accident.
​In 1611, King James gathered a team of 47 scholars to produce what is now known to be the King James Bible. The king gave this group of translators fifteen rules they had to follow in their work. It was rule number three that is so revealing. Here is what he instructed them to do:
​The old ecclesiastical words to be kept; as the word church, not to be translated congregation…
Why would he explicitly instruct the translators to incorrectly use the word ‘church’?
​King James had made himself the head of the Church of England that he ruled through bishops he had appointed. He also considered himself to be a god and said it was a crime to argue about what a king can do. This blog cannot cover all the details of King James mindset, but it is clear, that the third rule exposed his intent to insure his rule was not threatened.
​​Here’s The Problem…
We have become defined by a word that Jesus never used. 
Today, most English bibles use the mistranslated word ‘church’. We have become defined by a word that Jesus 
never used. When you think of church, you generally think of the building you go to, or the denomination you belong to. Only as an afterthought are phrases like, “we are the church” or “the church is in me” evoked. Neither of these express the true meaning of ekklesia.
​Make an intentional effort to stop using the word church (Yes, I still slip and use the word church from time to time, but I am working on it). More and more I am using words like ‘congregation’, ‘assembly’, ‘gathering’ and ‘ministry’ to describe local bodies of believers. The ancient Tyndale and Geneva bible used these words, which is in effect more accurate to the original language.
​For a season, as you read scripture, insert the words ‘ruling council’ where ever you see the word ‘church’. Obviously, this is not a perfect translation of the word ekklesia, but this exercise will help you begin to see the Lord’s intent.
​Don’t fear the facts. The implications of understanding ekklesia is enormous for you. It will undoubtedly challenge many religious norms. I believe the Lord is uncovering this truth in this season to empower the Body of Christ.
My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will clear up any confusion regarding ekklesia and church. “…for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the saints” (1Corinthians 14:33 World English Bible).
Jesus is still building His ekklesia with believers like you. Get ready. The best is yet to come!     TLK

Archives

August 2017
July 2017
June 2017

4 Comments
Femi Adebayo
8/5/2017 03:44:04 pm

Thanks for this. I appreciate it. My only contribution is to know what does it really takes out of us? Either we use the word 'Church', or 'Assembly', or 'Congregation', or 'Ekklesia', or 'The Body of Christ', in my mind, I honestly meant the same thing. These are words from other people's languages. I want to get it in mine. Once I got it in mine own language, the matter is settled. I know therefore what Jesus is looking for: "A Body NOT divided by anything except by their geographical location. Period!

2. Satan, our adversary is very clever, he may outwit us again if we dwell on non-essentials such as names and nomenclature. The matter before us is grave than to be divided AGAIN because of what we call a thing that we all know. Changing of names of a thing really doesn't change that thing. What left us is not name but LIFE! If you have the life and I got the life, wherever and whenever we meet we know and understand ourselves. Even if we start calling Ekklesia instead of Church, if the life within is not that of Christ, what benefits does that do to us really?

3. I honestly have no problem with any of the names, whichever we adopt as long as we do not denominate again with it and the saints of God do not start quarrelling one with another simply because of preference of names, I will be alright by it. Should we all agree to drop 'Church' and adopt 'Ekklesia' or 'Assembly', for as long as we will maintain Oneness and Unity of spirit, it will be great. The entire creation of God is PRESENTLY waiting for the manifestation of the children of God! If these children are known or called 'Church', or 'Ekklesia', or 'Assembly', the world doesn't really want to know but they are saying to us with one voice: "you people should make haste and give us what you owe us! Let us make haste and respond to their cry.

Thanks
Femi Adebayo.

Reply
Tim Kurtz link
8/5/2017 10:23:45 pm

One of the brothers I submit to said, "It doesn't matter what we call it, if we don't figure out how to live it out in the earth." I agree with you whole heartedly that dwelling on names can be a distraction that the enemy can use against us if we allow it. However, I must also interject that the switch from 'ekklesia' to 'church' literally changed the trajectory of the Body of Christ. What Jesus said and intended, and what we have become are not the same. Like you, I simply want to see satan defeated everywhere he lifts his head.To that end, there is only one Name that is above all names - Jesus! Thanks for your thoughtful response. Blessings!

Reply
Bill Kline
5/13/2023 06:45:39 pm

I am a new student of the ekklesia. I enjoyed your article. Do you have a reference to back up the statement that King James believed he was God. I can find nothing to corroborate this statement. Instead I can find references that state he believed he was appointed by God to rule England and the “church” of which he proclaimed himself the head.
Thanks and blessings,
Bill

Reply
Tim Kurtz link
5/18/2023 08:27:49 am

Thank You for reaching out to us. I am sorry it took so long to get back to you. King James wrote two significant books that revealed his personal beliefs regarding the monarchy. On our website is a link to FREE RESOURCES. There you will find a link to the 4th chapter of my book, LEAVING CHURCH BECOMING EKKLESIA. This may provide the answer you are looking for. Thank you and Blessings!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

Categories

All

About the Author and Founder of The Ekklesia Center

Tim Kurtz has served in traditional ministry for over three decades. He has authored several books, and teaches how the mistranslation of ekklesia into the word church has impacted the Body of Christ. His current assignment is to develop regional networks of house gatherings that reflect the Kingdom values and structure of first century believers. He and his wife Carolyn have been married 46 years and live in Michigan.

SITE MAP

Home
Blog
SHOP
Learning Center
Contact

LINKS

The Ekklesia Center FB
Restore Citizenship
​Ekklesia United
flanderson.com

Mailing Address

The Ekklesia Center
PO Box 283
Albion, MI 49224
Privacy Policy
media@theekklesiacenter.org
© COPYRIGHT 2017 -2022. The Ekklesia Center.