What is “Church-Speak”?
The word “church” has a very religious sound to it. Though a bit redundant, the word “church” is what may be called “church-speak”, which can be loosely defined as the unique vocabulary or definitions used within Christianity that is not normally used by the society at large. Though some would argue that having a distinct language from that of “the world” separates it from “the world”, the confusion and lack of clarity of such a vocabulary greatly hinders God’s students. The original books of The Bible, whether written in Hebrew or Greek, were written in the plain language of the time. Even if not particularly religious, those who heard or read the original scriptures had a much better understanding of the meaning of those words.
What is The Meaning of “Church”?
There are a few Hebrew words and one Greek word in The Bible that are translated into the word “church”. Since the Christian concept of church was established in the New Testament, let’s begin there.
The Greek word for church in the New Testament is “Εκκλησία”, which simply means “The called-out (ones)”.
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The anglicized Greek word for “church” is “Ekklisía” or “Ecclesia”. The Greek “Ecc” means “out of”, “from”, “by”, or “away from”; A derivation of “kaleo”, means “call”. So, Ecclesia is a compound word which simply means “The called-out (ones)”. Though not quite as transliteral, “assembly” or “congregation” would convey more meaning to most people than the word “church”. How The Bible came to translate the Greek word “Ekklisia” to “church” is another story in itself.
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Clearly, “Called Out Ones” carries much more meaning than the word “church”, especially in light of so many other scriptures.
…Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:4 (KJV)
And
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV)
Sanctification, another church-speak term, simply means “set apart”, which is clearly connected with “Called Out Ones”. Of course, when God sets something apart, He does so for a holy use.
…Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:16 (KJV)
Now let’s take a cursory view of the Hebrew words for church used in the Old Testament. They are sometimes translated into English as “assembly” or “congregation”, but the Septuagint, a Greek version of the Old Testament, often translates these words into “ecclesia”. And this is supported in the New Testament:
This is he, that was in the church [ecclesia] in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us. Acts 7:38 (KJV)
One or Two Churches?
So is the Old Testament nation of Israel “church” the one and same church of the New Testament?
And I tell you that you are Peter [pebble], and on this rock [boulder] I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18 (NIV)
Notice, Jesus said that He would build His church. This new church would be different than the “church in the wilderness”. Why?
The Lord said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. Jeremiah 3:6-8 (KJV)
Israel was the wife of God and due to her continued adultery, He finally, after much patience, divorced her.
Who is The Bride of Christ?
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:31-33 (ESV)
And
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:7-9 (ESV)
How Do We Identify The True Church?
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. Romans 8:14 (NIV)
And
There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ. We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit. And so we are formed into one body. It didn’t matter whether we were Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free people. We were all given the same Spirit to drink. So the body is not made up of just one part. It has many parts.
Suppose the foot says, “I am not a hand. So I don’t belong to the body.” By saying this, it cannot stop being part of the body. And suppose the ear says, “I am not an eye. So I don’t belong to the body.” By saying this, it cannot stop being part of the body.If the whole body were an eye, how could it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how could it smell?God has placed each part in the body just as he wanted it to be.If all the parts were the same, how could there be a body?As it is, there are many parts. But there is only one body.
The eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”In fact, it is just the opposite. The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are the ones we can’t do without.The parts that we think are less important we treat with special honor. The private parts aren’t shown. But they are treated with special care.The parts that can be shown don’t need special care. But God has put together all the parts of the body. And he has given more honor to the parts that didn’t have any.In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of one another. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy.
You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (NIRV)
The True Church of God is not a building or a legal corporation. It is a spiritual organism comprised of those members who are led by God’s spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
We can recognize members of God’s True Church by these fruits of the spirit. Are we displaying these traits? Are we overcoming to make these virtues a reality? Are we making ourselves ready for the Marriage Supper of The Lamb?