The Mystery of His Body (Introduction)

Devotion

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

What is the Ekklesia?

Ekklesia - “assembly.”

The church meeting is for the purpose of reassembling Jesus Christ on the earth.

The first-century church meeting was a fluid gathering.

It was not a ritual. And it was often unpredictable, unlike what we see in a modern church service.

The church meeting is for the purpose of reassembling Jesus Christ on the earth.

The first recorded use of the word ekklesia to refer to a Christian meeting place was penned around AD 190 by Clement of Alexandria (150–215).

Clement was also the first person to use the phrase “go to church.”

The phrase “go to church”—which would have been a foreign thought to the first-century believers.

You cannot go to something you are!

The English word church is derived from the Greek word kuriakon, which means “belonging to the Lord.” In time, it took on the meaning of “God’s house” and referred to a building.

Matthew 18:20 (ESV) - For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”