​5 Ways Ekklesia Is Rejected

​Ekklesia will be a disrupter. When Christians discover the historical facts surrounding what Jesus actually said, they will have to take a good look at how we have veered so far off course!

​In my book, Leaving Church Becoming Ekklesia, and in other writings, I list six types of people and their responses to learning about ekklesia. In this post, I want to somewhat expand on that list to include five reasons why some are rejecting this teaching. These are not theoretical or hypothetical reasons. Each reflects actual beliefs I have encountered since I began sharing and teaching about ekklesia.

​Before I outline this list, I want you to know that I am not solely focused on the negative and apprehensive responses I’ve heard. I have encountered many more people who have been liberated and empowered by learning about ekklesia. I simply share this in hopes that some who read it will avoid falling into the subtle traps satan uses to keep us from discovering what God has for us.
Here are the five top reasons people use to reject ekklesia.

​1. RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS
Clearly our religious traditions top the list. Apostle Paul’s teaching that the Gentiles were fellow heirs drew harsh push back from the religious elite of his day. Such teaching was as radical in that era as ekklesia is to some today.

​A few have implied that learning about ekklesia will not do anything for their relationship with Christ. I doubt that it will impact their love for the Lord, or His love for them. But the mindset that accompanies the ‘church system’ is completely different from the intent Jesus had when He said He would build His ekklesia.

Traditions are a safe place ‘not’ to grow spiritually. Traditions reward you for being able to articulate and live out the repetitiveness of the status quo. ​

​2. MISINTERPRETING SCRIPTURE
Acts 17:11 has become one of my favorite passages of scripture. Those in Berea would search the scriptures daily to see if what they had been taught was accurate. Too often scripture has been misinterpreted because of the lack of study and investigation.

​You won’t find the word ‘ekklesia’ in most English bibles. You will find the word ‘church’ well over a hundred times. Therefore, it could be easy to conclude that church and all of its baggage historical an otherwise is the accurate word to use. We have used the word church so much, that using any other word seems out of place. But church is a misinterpretation, and a willful mistranslation of ekklesia.

Not only is the word misinterpreted and mistranslated, but also what it means to us is totally misinterpreted. We cannot become what we don't know! ​

​3. FEAR OF LOSS
There are those who understand ekklesia, but they see their prestige and hierarchal positions threatened. This may be one of the reasons King James had this word mistranslated.

Several religious leaders wanted to get rid of Jesus. One reason was to keep from losing their status with the Romans (John 11:47-48). Simply put, some aren’t willing to pay the price to follow Jesus. Who they consider themselves to be, outweighs who He can be in them.

Simply put, some aren't willing to pay the price to follow Jesus

4. IGNORANCE
It's one thing not to know about a subject, but it's worse when you refuse to learn. I have had people literally walk away because they did not want to know anything about this thing called ekklesia. This may turn out to be a case of ‘what you don't know may actually hurt you’. It can keep you from becoming everything God intended you to be.

​People are destroyed for lack of knowledge. To be clear, they're destroyed for the willful neglect of knowledge. Willful ignorance results in generational consequences (Hosea 4:6).

​5. THEY DISLIKE THE MESSENGER
John the Baptist was rejected because he did not fit the profile of a prophet in that day (Luke 7:24-31). There was even a time when Jesus was despised and rejected by men because He did not look like the deliverer people expected (Isaiah 53:3).

It is sad when people reject the message simply because they do not like the messenger. People follow their favorite preacher and will accept anything they say. Yet, others will come preaching the truth and be rejected because they don't fit the stereotypical profile. It is a sad thing to miss truth simply because the vessel God chose has been rejected. 

​​My purpose for writing this was to show you there are barriers to understanding what the Lord is doing in this age. You may be able to add to this list. The Ekklesia Center is committed to helping you align with the word of God.

​We strive to help you place your religious traditions in their proper place. We help you to accurately interpret the Word of God. We stand with you when you feel you are losing things dear to your heart. We unapologetically will provoke you to learn and discover for yourself. And finally, we help you to discern truth, even when it comes through people who you are not used to hearing. 

Like The Ekklesia Center Facebook page where fresh content is added nearly everyday. Click here!

We are in exciting new times. Jesus is still building today with believers like you. 

PS. For a limited time, you can download a FREE copy of my book, 7 Facts Why Jesus Didn't Say He Would Build A Church CLICK HERE