QUESTIONING THE DEPARTING DROVES AND REMAINDERS

QUESTIONING THE DEPARTING DROVES AND THE REMAINDERS

Friday, July 31, 2015

“The word “church,” which is derived from κυριακός, kuriakós, “of or belonging to the Lord,” represents in the English Versions of the Bible of the New Testament the Greek word ἐκκλησία, ekklēsı́a; Latin, ecclesia.” Source: ISBE

1. A house consecrated to the worship of God, among Christians; the Lords house. This seems to be the original meaning of the word. The Greek, to call out or call together, denotes an assembly or collection. But, Lord, a term applied by the early Christians to Jesus Christ; and the house in which they worshipped was named from the title. So church goods, bona ecclesiastica; the Lords day, dies dominica.

2. The collective body of Christians, or of those who profess to believe in Christ, and acknowledge him to be the Savior of mankind. In this sense, the church is sometimes called the Catholic or Universal Church.

3. A particular number of christens, united under one form of ecclesiastical government, in one creed, and using the same ritual and ceremonies; as the English church; the Gallican church; the Presbyterian church; the Romish church; the Greek church.

4. The followers of Christ in a particular city or province; as the church of Ephesus, or of Antioch.

5. The disciples of Christ assembled for worship in a particular place, as in a private house. Col 4.

6. The worshipers of Jehovah or the true God, before the advent of Christ; as the Jewish church.

7. The body of clergy, or ecclesiastics, in distinction from the laity. Hence, ecclesiastical authority.

8. An assembly of sacred rulers convened in Christs name to execute his laws.

9. The collective body of Christians, who have made a public profession of the Christian religion, and who are untied under the same pastor; in distinction from those who belong to the same parish, or ecclesiastical society, but have made no profession of their faith.

Source: Webster 1828 Dictionary

  Yesterday I shared Kevin Shrum’s essay from the Christian Post; 9 Reasons People Leave the Church When the Church Isn’t to Blame.

  Now that you’ve had time to read and think about it, I ask: Considering that we as Christians will all stand before God’s judgment seat, then each answering Christ for the good and bad things done while in the body (Mt.28:18-20; Rom.14:10-12; 2Cor.5:10) – What do we think He will honor as acceptable reason(s) for leaving a congregation, denomination, church?

  Keep in mind when answering that you are not simply remarking. You are teaching as your comments are read by hundreds in the USA and a number in other countries.

  Let us continue to learn as we honor God in discerning and sharing His Truth.

EBB4