1 "CHURCH" IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Biblical Eldership

Shepherd the Flock of God Among You

1

What Does "Church" Refer to

in the New Testament?

The Word "Church"

"Church" comes from the Anglo Saxon "circe" (Kirk) which, in turn, comes from the Greek kyriakon which means "belonging to the Lord." So one could think of "church" as the people or the building "belonging to the Lord." But in the English New Testament, the word "church" translates the Greek ekklesia which means "assembly" or "congregation" and never refers to a building. Therefore, the "church" is the people who belong to the Lord Jesus.

The Universal Church of All Believers of All Time

Eph_1:22

And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church.

All the Believers in an Area

Act_9:31

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

All the Believers in a City

Act_8:1

And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem.

The Believers Gathered in a House-Congregation

1Co_16:19

Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

Autor: John Piper