God and “me” are not the church …
But God and “we” just might be.
Category: Simple Church
“Assembly” is probably the closest English word to “ekklesia,” which is the original ancient Greek word commonly mistranslated as “church” in our English Bibles.
But even “assembly” falls short.
In the common usage of the day when the New Testament was written, “ekklesia” almost always referred to the participatory governing authority in a city …
Made up of local citizens appointed by an overarching empire.
In Israel during Jesus’ time on Earth, the local ekklesia under Roman rule was the Sanhedrin.
Each city or province had their own local ekklesia, appointed by the conquering Roman empire to assemble and manage local affairs through local citizens.
Although it operated under the Emperor’s authority, it nonetheless functioned internally as a democratic and fully participatory assembly.
The idea of Christ building His ekklesia, therefore, was subversive to Roman ears but fully in line with His further teachings on His Kingdom.
Unfortunately, “church” today has little to do – either as to form or function – with what “ekklesia” actually meant when the New Testament was written.
Christ’s ekklesia would be an assembly of those called by Him to gather and participate together …
In exercising His authority and advancing His Kingdom as His representatives in their local community.
To really understand the Bible, we need to learn what it actually said when written, based on the meaning and context of the words used …
Rather than reading back into those words our contrary post-New Testament meanings.
There are only four passages in the entire New Testament which mention singing God’s praises together when we gather as the church.
And in those verses, there is just one reason given for that congregational singing …
And it’s not “worship.”
Rather, it’s to encourage one another.
That’s it.
Nothing else.
In fact, the New Testament never refers to singing or our gatherings as “worship” …
And the Greek words often translated as “worship” have absolutely nothing to do with what we call “worship” these days.
So the popular idea that we go to a “worship service” where we sing and do other things to invoke, experience or encounter God’s presence …
Doesn’t exist in the New Testament.
Nope, not, nada …
Just ain’t there.
Rather, that’s rooted in the Old Testament idea of the temple, where people went to encounter God.
In contrast, under the New Covenant, we have become God’s temple because He now dwells in us and among us.
Thus, we are commanded to sing and participate together for our mutual encouragement – one to another – as we express God’s presence already in us.
Nothing more, nothing less.
So let’s stop distorting Scripture by putting on staged performances designed to make us encounter “God’s presence” …
And calling that “worship.”
It’s not. It’s just carnality masquerading as spirituality to justify the prevailing corrupt practice of turning “church” into a spectator event performed by a few from an elevated stage.
Instead, let’s return to what the New Testament actually commands in our gatherings:
By joyfully participating together as we share and sing God’s praises with each other to express His presence already in us…
For the simple purpose of edifying and mutually building up one another.
Maybe then true worship will start to more fully emerge among us …
As people stop thinking of “worship” as a staged Sunday event and finally start living lives of reverent, sacrificial obedience to Him throughout the rest of the week.
Most of what we call “worship” today …
Is so contrived and manipulative as to be an affront to God.
Most, however, are so unwilling to submit their concept of “worship” to what the New Testament actually says is worship …
That they don’t even care.
Did you know that the English word “church” does not come from the New Testament …
And is a mistranslation of the original New Testament Greek word “ekklesia”?
Instead, “church” derives from an old German word “circe,” denoting gatherings of those engaged in occult practices related to pagan gods …
From which our word “circus” also comes.
Maybe that explains why “church” today looks nothing like the New Testament concept of “ekklesia.”
In contrast, “ekklesia” referred – during the time the New Testament was written – to local governing assemblies of citizens appointed to deliberate, represent and advance the interests of the ruling king and his kingdom in their own communities.
It was a participatory assembly where everyone was actively and equally involved in their gatherings …
Rather than a staged performance by the few.
Maybe it’s time to take a second look at Scripture through the lens of the actual words originally used …
And what they actually meant when selected by the Holy Spirit for use in the New Testament.
Otherwise, we distort the orginal intent of Scripture with contrary, post-New Testament meanings.
Don’t be deceived by cries of “unity” from those who reject God’s plenary authority of Scripture …
While then expecting conformity to a Jesus of their own creation.
There are those who manage the variables.
They talk about process.
Then there are those who change the variables.
They talk about results.
What if you actually studied the New Testament and the original, actual meanings of its original words in their original language …
Utilizing a good comprehensive lexicon that anyone can buy and use?
What if you did it a second time …
And then a third time?
And, after all that, what if you discovered that what you call a “church” or “worship” or the “tithe” or a “pastor” or so much more …
Isn’t?
What if …
Jesus is our Lord who loves us …
Not our lover.
Unfortunately, the words and mood of too many songs that pass for “worship” these days …
Seem to confuse this vital difference.
God’s into plumblines …
Not pendulums.
“Assembly” is probably the closest English word to “ekklesia,” which is the Greek word commonly mistranslated as “church” in our English Bibles.
But even “assembly” falls short.
When the New Testament was written, every city or province normally would have had its own ekklesia.
Each was a participatory assembly of local citizens, typically selected by the Emperor, who represented their communities and helped oversee local affairs under Roman authority.
For example, in Israel during Jesus’ time on Earth the local ekklesia under Roman rule was the Sanhedrin.
The internal function of each ekklesia, in their own locale, was democratic – with full participation and input by each member – just like a State assembly or town council today.
The idea of Christ building His ekklesia, therefore, was subversive to Roman ears, but fully in line with His further teachings on His Kingdom.
Unfortunately, “church” today has little to do – either as to form or function – with what “ekklesia” actually meant when the New Testament was written.
To really understand the Bible, we need to learn what it actually said when written, based on the meaning and context of the words used at the time …
Rather than reading back into those words our conflicting post-New Testament traditions and understandings.
There are many “Christian” idols in our churches these days.
For example, what most churches call “worship” …
Is mostly a contrived, manipulative affront to God.
And I’m not talking about styles of music …
But about turning “worship” into a “church service” rather than living lives of reverent obedience and sacrificial service to God.
Unfortunately, those unwilling to submit to how the New Testament actually defines worship and the focus of our gatherings …
Seldom even care.
And so they’ve elevated their own notions of worship above God Himself and what His Word actually says …
Thus ensnaring many in perpetual immaturity and carnality.
Until we discard the filter of “church” as we’ve come to know it …
We will never see church as the New Testament actually shows it.
In the New Testament, you can’t find – by command, precept, or example – what many call “church” these days.
Nope, not, nada …
Just ain’t there.
Instead, you see smaller, intentional, participatory fellowships which relate together in their own home towns as part of the local Body of Christ, with throughout-the-week community.
Continue readingWhile a true encounter with God will invoke intense emotions …
Many “churches” today try to invoke intense emotions then call it a true encounter with God.
It’s not.
It’s just fleshly manipulation masquerading as “worship.”
Big difference!
When the “Gospel” is reduced to a “decision” without repentance …
It, and anything that promotes it, is a lie.
Including “church.”
The greatest scandal with “church” these days …
Is preaching the “Gospel” of a Jesus who wants what you want.
Worship.
People keep using that word.
But what they mean …
Is not what the New Testament means.
Which means they elevate their own understanding over God’s direct revelation …
And worship “worship” more than God Himself.
If Christians started giving how the New Testament says we should give …
To what the New Testament says we should give …
It’s doubtful that what we call “church” today would survive.
So you want the authenticity of simple, participatory church?
Then consider humbly going where it’s least expected …
Among those of whom the least is expected.
Just like Jesus did.
If you can’t keep it real …
It’s not really “church”.
Rows upon rows of spectator seating …
Have nothing to do with church in the New Testament.
I may have an ability or perspective that you lack.
But I have yet to meet anyone – and I mean anyone – who does not exceed me in some aspect of their own abilities and perspectives.
Likewise, no church or ministry will be healthy if it pulls into itself or thinks itself beyond everyone else.
This is true also with our different sub-cultures, theological “tribes,” and the often unexamined presumptions and perceptions of our own community of like-minded friends.
Unity through diversity with humility, rather than uniformity through control with hierarchy, is God’s intent among those who love Him and heed His Word …
As we learn to submit to one another and together become the multi-gifted, multi-functional, multi-part Body of Christ.
I’m often asked, “Where do I find simple, relational, participatory church?”
Why not start with hospitality …
And see what God can do?
Because it’s easier to share Christ together …
When we share life together.
So let’s open our homes and open our lives …
And be the church once again.
I’d routinely ask men who gave their lives to the Lord in the jail and I mentored there, why it was so hard for them to become part of a church when they got out.
I’d then follow up by asking whether, after being released, they were ever invited into someone’s home for a meal and fellowship from any church they visited.
The answer? Never.
I’ve asked this hundreds of times, not just of men trying to put their lives back together after jail, but also of others living in the woods or in homeless shelters.
The answer was always the same.
In twenty years, I saw no exceptions.
We all love arms-length “ministries” and “programs” that make us feel good about helping “those people,” so long as it’s not too close and personal.
I guess most “churches” are look-alike religious social clubs for cookie-cutter “believers” …
Rather than real Christian communities where imperfect people relate and build up one another to become mature disciples.
How tragic.
In the meantime, our house remains a place of hospitality, friendship and fellowship …
And our lives continue to be enriched beyond measure as real church and community just naturally happens because of it.
Plumbline Faith 