Jesus Christ's called out Congregation (aka The Church)

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Jesus Christ's called out Congregation (aka The Church)

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PREFACE

How important is a word ? The translation of the word "congregation" is so important that, God took a verse containing the word "congregation" and placed that same verse, in both the Old Testament (O.T.) and the New Testament (N.T.). This insured that the translation of the word "congregation" into any language would be the same in both the O.T. and the N.T.

The early English Bibles did exactly this. The word "congregation" was used in this same verse in both the O.T. (see Psalms 22:22 ), and the N.T. (see Hebrews 2:12 ).

The first complete English Bible was the Tyndale Bible in about 1524, and that Bible did not use the word "church" anywhere in its pages, it used the word "congregation."

However, the King James version (KJV) of the Bible in 1611, changed the translation of this word in the N.T. from "congregation" to the word "church." The use of the word "church", in place of God's word "congregation", has caused centuries of confusion within Christianity.

All of this confusion is easily eliminated, by abandoning the use of the word "church", and substituting God's intended word "congregation."

INTRODUCTION

The Hebrew word for "congregation" is correctly translated in the English Old Testament as "congregation." (see Psalms 22:22 )

In the early English New Testaments, the Greek word for "congregation" (ekklesia) was correctly translated in the English New Testament as "congregation." (see Hebrews 2:12, which should accurately quote Psalms 22:22, by using the word "congregation" (not "church") )

However, the Greek word for "congregation" (ekklesia) was later translated to "church" in the English New Testament for political and control purposes. The word "church" is used by many religions, and is derived from the word "circle", where people worship in a circle, such as in the church of satan, or church of wicka.

Under the New Covenant, the "house of God" is the family of God, which is the congregation of the living God (not a church building)

Under the Old Covenant, the "house of God" referred to the temple at Jerusalem (see Mat 12:4, Mar 2:26, Luk 6:4). However, under the New Covenant, the "house of God" is the family of God, which is the congregation of the living God.

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house [in the family [see 1Ti 3:5 ]] of God, which is the church [ the congregation ] of the living God, the pillar and ground [foundation] of the truth. (1Ti 3:15)

And having [since we have] an high [great] priest [Jesus Christ] over the house [family] of God; (Heb 10:21)

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house [his family [more or less related] [see 1Ti 3:5 ]]; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Heb 11:7)

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house [family] of God: and if it first begin at us [the church [ the congregation ] of the living God], what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1Pe 4:17)

The word "church" today typically refers to a building. The New Testament makes no reference to earthly christian buildings. All the ekklesia references are to Jesus Christ's called out congregation of people.

For Christ is not entered into the holy places [sanctuary] made with hands [man-made], which are the figures [only an earthly copy] of the true [one in heaven]; but [Christ entered] into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us [as our heavenly high priest (Christ)]: (Heb 9:24)

The BIBLE describes JESUS CHRIST'S called out CONGREGATION

Jesus Christ views those, who have accepted Him as their Lord and Saviour, as a single congregation of people. (Also known as "the Body of Christ.") (Also known as "the church" when ekklesia is translated to "church", rather than "congregation.")

Jesus said: "I will build my ekklesia [Greek for: I [Jesus Christ] will build my called out congregation]." (Mat 16:18)

Jesus Christ proceeds to build his ekklesia: "And the Lord [Jesus Christ] added to the ekklesia [to his called out congregation] daily such as should be [those who were being] saved [those who were accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, thereby having their sins forgiven, thus being saved from eternity in Hell, and accepting Jesus Christ's free gift of eternity in Heaven]." (Act 2:47)

The Bible contains frequent references to the portion of Jesus Christ's called out congregation that resides in, or at, a particular geographical location.

... And at that time there was a great persecution against the ekklesia [against Jesus Christ's congregation] which was [located] at Jerusalem ... (Act 8:1)

And when he [Barnabas] had found him [Saul], he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they [Barnabas and Saul] assembled themselves with the ekklesia [with Jesus Christ's congregation located in Antioch], and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Act 11:26)

Revelation 2 & 3 gives us 7 more geographical locations used to describe the ekklesia [Jesus Christ's congregation] of Ephesus, in Smyrna, in Pergamos, in Thyatira, in Sardis, in Philadelphia, of the Laodiceans.

We can also find Bible references to multiple congregations in a single geographical region.

Grace be ... unto the ekklesias [Jesus Christ's congregations] of Galatia: (Gal 1:2)

Some congregations in the Bible are described as being within someone's extended family, i.e. in someone's house [in their family [more or less related] [see 1Ti 3:5 ]]

Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus ... Likewise greet the ekklesia [Jesus Christ's congregation] that is in their house [in their family [more or less related]]. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. (Rom 16:3,5)

The churches [congregations] of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the ekklesia [Jesus Christ's congregation] that is in their house [in their family [more or less related]]. (1Co 16:19)

Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the ekklesia [Jesus Christ's congregation] which is in his house [in his family [more or less related]]. (Col 4:15)

And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the ekklesia [Jesus Christ's congregation] in thy house [in thy family [more or less related]]: (Phm 1:2)

When a portion of the congregation is assembled together, the assembled congregation (ekklesia) may be translated as an "assembly." (a portion of the congregation congregates (assembles together) )

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the ekklesia [assembly] was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. (Act 19:32)

But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful ekklesia [assembly]. (Act 19:39)

And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the ekklesia [assembly]. (Act 19:41)

In the Bible Jesus Christ reveals that an assembled congregation may be very small.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name [in the name of Jesus Christ], there am I [Jesus Christ] in the midst of them. (Mat 18:20)

PROVE to YOURSELF that EKKLESIA should be translated to "CONGREGATION", not to "CHURCH"

The first complete English Bible was the Tyndale Bible in about 1524, and that Bible did not use the word "church" anywhere in its pages, it used the word "congregation." Sometime after this Bible, they started replacing the word "congregation" with the word "church."

The comparison below will enable you to prove to yourself that "church" should be translated "congregation.

As God intended, there is an Old Testament verse that is also "quoted" in the New Testament.

In the Bible's Old Testament, Psalms 22:22 reads: I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. (The Hebrew word "qahal" #6951 is translated to "congregation".)

In the Bible's New Testament, Hebrews 2:12 reads: Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. (The Greek word "ekklesia" #1577 is translated here to "church".)

For the quotation in the New Testament to be accurate, the Greek word "ekklesia" should be translated to "congregation", the same as in the Old Testament, (not to "church").

In the Bible's New Testament, Hebrews 2:12 should read: Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the congregation will I sing praise unto thee. (The Greek word "ekklesia" #1577 should be translated here to "congregation".)

Likewise, in 111 other places in the New Testament, the Greek word "ekklesia" should also be translated to "congregation" (not to "church").
CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, whenever you see the word "church" in your Bible, substitute the word "congregation", and the true meaning will become clear.

Using the word congregation (instead of "church"), keeps us focused on the fact that Christ's congregation (the body of Christ) is made up only of its members: Now ye are [collectively] the body of Christ [Christ's congregation], and members in particular (1Co 12:27).

Also remember, the phrase "in his house" refers to: in his house [in his family [more or less related]]. (see 1Ti 3:5)

Likewise, under the New Covenant, the "house of God" is the family of God, which is the congregation of the living God. (not a church building) (1Ti 3:15)

This congregation is Jesus' (Christ's) "my congregation." (Mat 16:18)

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