Church in Disguise
So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together.Acts 19:32 NASB
Assembly – What is the Greek word for “church”? Ah, ekklesia, you say. Everyone knows that. The church is the ekklesia of God. Does that mean that the Greek word ekklesia should always be translated, “church”? Is this Scripture’s special word for the new body of believers God has chosen as a result of the Messiah’s death and resurrection? If you listen to most Christian preaching, you would assume that the “church” began at Pentecost and that ekklesia is the sacred Greek word for this “called out” body of believers.
But then we run into Acts 19:32 (and other verses). Here is the Greek word ekklesia, but it certainly cannot mean “church.” Wouldn’t you agree? The same word—exactly—is used here to describe an unruly mob in confusion (maybe that’s what you experience at church J). Obviously, the word ekklesia cannot mean “church.” It means simply “an assembly, a crowd.” In fact, in Greek it specifically does not mean “a religious assembly.” The apostolic authors confiscated this word from secular Greek in order to distinguish their religious assemblies from those designated by synagoge (a word that does not mean “Jewish religious assembly”). Synagoge means any religious assembly, for Athena, Zeus or YHVH. Jews used this Greek word to translate qahal, the Hebrew word for their religious assemblies. As a result, the word synagoge just migrated into a Jewish term. But just like ekklesia, it wasn’t Jewish to begin with.
What does this mean for translations of Scripture? It means (are you ready?) that there really isn’t a Greek word for “church.” The word “church” in your translated text doesn’t exist as a separate, identifiable, unique word in the Greek text. “Church” is an Old English word (related to both Dutch and German). It is etymologically related to the Greek word kurios, meaning “lord.” There is no special word that means “church” in the Greek text of Scripture (a useful explanation can be found HERE) , although I am not in agreement with all that Anthony writes). Perhaps you already knew this and you’re settled on the fact that “church” is not a biblical word. Perhaps you already realize that the only true Jewish terms are qahal and edah, not even “synagogue.” Of course, languages evolve, so today we typically think of “church” as a Christian place of worship and “synagogue” as a Jewish place of worship. But the point is that no one in the first century thought like this. Yes, synagogue was used for a Jewish religious assembly, but everyone knew that this was a Greek translation of the real Hebrew words qahal and edah. The Jews weren’t confused about this. But we certainly are.
What’s the bottom line? The “church” is what men have made it. It isn’t biblical. It isn’t even Greek. It’s what was invented over the course of human religious worship. That means we have to rethink all those apostolic passages about the “church.” And we have to re-evaluate just what really is the place of worship for most Christians. Now I don’t mean that you should immediately stop attending “church.” Today the word is clearly associated with Christian attempts to honor God. What I mean is that you need to be aware that this is not what the disciples had in mind. Where to worship today is nothing like what they understood in their day. That’s all right, as long as you realize that you are not copying anything like what they were doing. What you experience today in “church” is the product of the Roman world, the influence of a political empire called Catholicism and a sprinkling of “relevance.” Go there if you wish. Give your money if you feel led. Just don’t call it biblical.
Topical Index: church, ekklesia, synagoge, qahal, edah, Acts 19:32
Whether two or three (or two or three hundred) are assembled or congregated in His Name, – there He is- in the midst of them..
And He has said, – His purpose is, The will of the LORD is- “I will build my Bride..”
?
WHERE ARE WE TO WORSHIP?
In the temple!
And where is that?
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that
the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Cor 3:16
“For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” Lk 17:21
We never have far to go to worship the Lord.
Yes, but please don’t ignore all the instructions about the physical Temple as well.
1 Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an royal priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
A Bride Body built of stone!
So would the best sacrifice to offer up be if we all repeated in unison: “I do!”? “Shema!”
It’s A Family Affair
What is the church? – or a “more gooder” question might be – “Who” is the church? The called out ones, the body of Christ? Not a building, but rather the (present) body of Christ, and – His future Bride. The church, the ecclesia, is not an organization, but rather a (rather?) peculiar people, a holy priesthood, an living organism.
Of course, many might argue against “organized” religion, but then again, on second thought, what would we prefer? – “unorganized” religion? ~ Let all things be done decently and in order! ~ And are we not commanded in the N.T. scriptures “not” to forsake the assembling of ourselves together? (Hebrews 10.25)
And if (better, “since”) God is our Father, may I then call you my brother? – or my sister?
Where are we to meet? By the side of the road under an old brush arbor? If we meet there to do business with God,- will He -would His Presence be “there” among us? No, the church is not the building (though the Carpenter is building His church!) – it is His current “body” – and His future Bride. The (future) Good News in all of this balderdash will be the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The Bride of our “Heavenly Boaz” will be there- and all have been invited to attend. You have received your “RSVP,”- for the scriptures plainly state: ~ Whosoever will, may come! ~ What will be our (glad) response? Here are His words once again..
~ Enter into the joy of your LORD! ~ Wow! – What a day that will be!
It’s funny that you posted this today. Just a few hours ago, I was listening to a podcast of you teaching about anti-semitism in the NT, and it made me 100% sold on purchasing some of your other audio and books. 🙂 ANYWAY, I was thinking as I listened about how I long for that mixed-crowd synagogue experience as you described it – different viewpoints all coming together with the common ground of the Tanakh and debating and discussing and disagreeing, even. But fleshing it all out and sharpening each other. And LEARNING. I have been on a church-search for a little over a year and I have been disappointed everywhere I have gone. I have considered trying a Messianic congregation, (although I now live in a place where the closest one is 2+ hours away) I have thought about attending the local Jewish congregation, but haven’t yet, mostly because I know it’s not 100% what I’m looking for either.
I want to worship as part of a community, and I can’t find one. It’s disheartening. Church leaves me empty. It’s incomplete. I find myself arguing with the pastor in my mind throughout the sermon. I find the music and sermons shallow and repetitive. I feel guilty saying this. I have wondered what is “wrong” with me, when so many Christians I know absolutely love church. But since I have stumbled into this path of bringing my life into alignment with Torah and seeing the Bible through a different paradigm… church is even less fulfilling than it was before, if that is possible.
What to do?
Hi Alicia – I know exactly what you are talking about. The longer I travel this new path – the sweeter it is – but I do need fellowship and the church where I attend is exactly as you describe it. I sit through the sermons saying, “no, that is not the whole truth – have you considered this passage….or do you know that word in Gk/Hebrew…. ” My husband said I am not allowed to shake my head ‘no’ during the message anymore! 🙂 (But it is shaking on the inside!) Just to write to say you are not the only one in this dilemma…. thanks for sharing!
Hi Alice
You are not alone. Where do you live? Maybe there are others nearby
Hi Alicia, I too know very well of how you feel and what you have experienced! My husband and I left the non-denominational church 4 years ago when YHWH put us on this journey. We tried to stay but found ourselves thinking the same things as you! My husband would sit there reading a full chapter of the verse the pastor tried to connect dots to. We contacted an associate pastor that we had a good relationship with and asked questions only to get the standard answers. We have since attended 2 Messianic congregations, one is only 5 minutes from our home! Needless to say and to keep it short, the teacher told us he only wants KJV read and discussed because all other versions are “garbage”. He even told us a gentleman came in for the second time with a different version and he threw the bible across the room and said for him not to come back with that “garbage!”. The other congregation meets every other week which is okay and we may meet with them, however, it feels a lot like Sunday church all over again, that is, go, sing worship songs, hear a teaching, eat nice desserts and go home until the next two weeks. I suppose this is better than nothing. There are two Messianic Judaism congregations that specifically say that “gentiles don’t have to follow all of Torah”. So….we are here, at home until The Lord shows us otherwise. All that to say, you are not alone and it can be discouraging, however, The Lord knows what He is doing! Maybe we aren’t ready to be in community yet and have things in us that must be worked out. We aren’t perfect and aren’t looking for a perfect congregation, just solid truth with others who are trying to be obedient.
Hi Alicia,
You are defiantly not alone. I struggled with the stuff in the UMC for about 3 years and would leave in such a foul mood my husband would ask why are you going. I thought it was so I could be a light but I was so unlight like. Lol.
The hardest place to walk is the loss of true fellowship but there will be links like this to give you a little.
My son who was the first to introduce the truth to me shared a verse from Isaiah 8:20, To the Torah and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. It is my plumb line now. Hang in there sister, I live in North Carolina if you are close let me know.
Where in NC?
I live in Lenoir, North Carolina. I am outside of boone and blowing rock well at the bottom of the mountian.
I’m in Florence, South Carolina. You can’t throw a rock without hitting a church here, but nothing like what I’m looking for. Feels like that saying… how does it go? “Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink.” 😉
This might be worth looking into : http://119ministries.com/hebrew-roots-map
Yeah, I have checked that a few times. Nothing and no one within an hour or more of me. :/ I will add my contact info though.
Churches are certainly NOT places of YHWH worship, but a religious assembly, yes, often of religious men-worship which is idolatry.
And so too are many Hebrew roots assemblies that are not Biblically sound carrying, hanging on to various doctrines/practices from various denominations.
I am a ethnic Chinese (1st generation) (naturalized) American Christian (since 1967). I think I can understand the feeling of newly saved Jewish believer of Jehoshua about where to find a ‘church’
and how to grow in the faith within the context of being in a ‘fellowship’ of fellow believers, which could
mean very different things to people with different ethnic or cultural back grounds. We all feel more comfortable to relate to, communicate deeper thoughts/needs or share things in life with people who are similar to ourselves. But the faith in Christ brings us to a realization that we must set new priority in our life, as well as accepting the new identity of being an adopted child of God. An African American lady (trained as a lawyer) had written a book titled “More Christian than African American” to explain her
spiritual process and choice after being saved into God’s family or church. She realized that her priority and loyalty is no longer what concerned her most previously but rather is what Jesus her Lord is most concerned and wanted her to be or do.
In Chinese the word ‘church’s is translated and written as ‘教会’, which literally means ‘religion’ and ‘assembly’, respectively. To many Chinese Christians who have been taught about it, the understanding that in the Greek text, ‘教会’ (or church) was referred to as ekklēsía, as “out from and to” and “to call”, and kyriakos, as “belonging to the Lord” (kyrios). This understanding, combined with other terms such as Body of Christ and Bride of Christ, has been sufficient to know the real meaning of church, whether used locally in daily life, or referring to the universal body of believers through the centuries. What is most important is to recognized that Christ has redeemed us and the Triune GOD (YHWH) is to be the center and utmost person in our life, not contingent on whether we can or cannot ‘do’ it but based on His mercy and selection of us into His Kingdom. This new ‘position’ in Christ supersedes (not ‘replacing’) all other relations we may have in this life.
I have been involved with evangelical ministry to Chinese students attending our city’s university and I often hear them asking the question “If Jesus is Jewish, why the Jewish people do not believer in him?”. In other words, why should they even consider the Christian faith for their life. To this end, a devoted, mature Jewish Christian can go a long way in being a witness and explaining the gospel of Jesus to such people, to any people of non-white, non-protestant back ground. I personally know a Jewish believer who actually later heard the call to minister to Chinese people and he went to Taiwan to learn Chinese, then attended seminary there, then returned to the U.S. and is serving as senior pastor of a Chinese Church in Rochester, NY. I am certainly not saying that there is anything wrong with wanting to find a thriving vigorous Jewish Christian congregation or church and to grow, to worship, to serve, to enjoy fellowship and to be a witness to both Jews and Gentiles in your environment. If God happen to be not providing such a congregation for you, just like any minority group Christians in this or other country, God is still with you and me and our purpose in life is to love Him, serve Him, enjoy Him and glorify Him.
I have never heard the name of Skip Moen till yesterday when I visited and attended the church which my daughter and her husband attend in Maryland. The pastor quoted him in his sermon about work, serve and worship, referring to Skip’s teaching about the word “Avad”. It was a great exposition of God’s word and God apparently spoke to the (large, mostly white) congregation. I decide to look further into this and to learn more about the subject, which is why I kind of ‘bump into’ this discussion. I guess what I am saying is that God has been building His ‘church’ for more than 2000 years and many are called and used by Him. A Jewish believer can be a special blessing and instrument in His hand, whether to the vast number of non-Jewish or Jewish non-believers, or minister to fellow Jewish Christians.
I am reading this post on November 1, 2015, more than a year after it was posted. I don’t know whether my question will ever be answered but I will still ask. Do you know the name of the church where you heard the message that looked into the Hebrew meaning of words? I am looking for a church that honors the Lord and that is open to examining the Scriptures for what they really say. We attended the Fourth Presbyterian Church, with Rob Norris as a pastor, for about 17 years. I was the one who made sure the family went to church on Sundays but when the Lord revealed to me the truth in His Word (about a year ago), I stopped going, and now nobody in the family goes. I have been reading, listening, thinking but pretty much on my own, and I miss the fellowship and long to be part of the body of Christ, to love and serve others. I long for my family to attend so that they would hear the Word. Where do I go? I have heard about a home-based Hebrew-Roots congregation meeting on Saturday evenings in a city nearby but I am afraid to go there as it would be more radical than what my family (my husband and our two adult sons who live with us) are prepared to handle. They are already worried about me “turning Jewish” (learning Hebrew, eating Kosher, and keeping the Sabbath), and so I must tread gently. I would appreciate information. We live in Rockville, MD.
Unfortunately I don’t know any assemblies near Rockville, MD and since I don’t keep track of my readers I have no way to finding this out. Maybe one of them will read this and respond.
Thank you for responding, Skip. I’ll be checking back to see if someone else might know. It would be so nice if your readers knew whether there are others who follow the Jewish Messiah living close by and willing to be connected. 🙂
We are all in the diaspora. Here, there and everywhere.
I’m new to this dialog, but have been following Skip’s messages on ‘studylight’ daily emails. I’m also at a place of wanting – needing – ‘church’ fellowship, and feel that I’m not being ‘fed’ at Sunday services, weekly home group, or men’s Bible Study. Maybe some one like the man from China, or perhaps African Americans, have something to teach people like us – disconnected, searching, separated. Many of them have felt alone, ‘outnumbered’, being away from their culture or people of the same ethnicity as themselves – maybe even have been discriminated against. I suspect they persevere by recognizing that their need for connection, and maybe recognition, is okay, then by taking steps to patiently change their situation – as enormous a task as it might seem. I think Christians like us are the product of our time – an extended period of major change and realignment of ‘church’ – or as Skip has eluded to, even redefinition. No doubt that our Lord knows our lonesome struggle, and has even led us to this dialog. So where do we go from here? I think we need to speak out, with prayer and humility, to our pastors, teachers, and leaders for what we need from ‘church’ and Christian fellowship. It absolutely has to be done, but only in a clearly loving, humble, uncritical way. If those still in the closet will also speak out, I believe the Body of Christ on earth, guided by the Holy Spirit, will not disintegrate, but change – maybe all too slowly for us, but humbly get closer to the spiritual track that Jesus set for His Church. Obviously there’s a danger of the church inadvertently fitting the ‘world’ rather than vice versa. I think the secret to changing toward our Lord and the common needs of His followers is to keep our ego from getting in the way, and not try to head up a new ‘Christian movement’. P.S. Skip, I really appreciate your pertinent letter of April 2, 2015, subject; Numbers 10:3 NASB, “congregation”. Thanks.
Jesus the Jew what did he do… Fisher of men. Not followers for those standing for their personal conviction… Yeshua calls you as Carl said to gather two or more in His name. Nothing more the first step is the hardest and remember a true prophet is never honoured in his own city.
Go to the religious bookstores find a book you like reading or referencing too. Soon someone will reach out and buy it… You have a point to start a discussion, use it and soon 1 from the first 10 you tried to communicate with will start responding…
Be the one to ask what can we do to become part of God’s calling… Gathered in His name He will enlighten the hearts as needed. Just be humble enough to be willing to be a witness of Christ in flesh.
May God bless you in your creation of a worthy assembly.