Eschatology and Eschatology and EcclesiologyEcclesiology

““There are words whose history it is peculiarly There are words whose history it is peculiarly interesting to watch, as they obtain a deeper meaning, interesting to watch, as they obtain a deeper meaning, and receive a new consecration, in the Christian Church; and receive a new consecration, in the Christian Church; words which the Church did not invent, but has assumed words which the Church did not invent, but has assumed into its service, and employed in a far loftier sense than into its service, and employed in a far loftier sense than any to which the world has ever put them before. The any to which the world has ever put them before. The very word by which the Church is named is itself an very word by which the Church is named is itself an example – a more illustrious one could scarcely be found example – a more illustrious one could scarcely be found – of this progressive ennobling of a word. For we have – of this progressive ennobling of a word. For we have ekklesia in three distinct stages of meaning – the ekklesia in three distinct stages of meaning – the heathen, the Jewish, and the Christian” (Trench, heathen, the Jewish, and the Christian” (Trench, Synonyms of the New TestamentSynonyms of the New Testament, p. 1)., p. 1).

The Meaning and Uses of the Word “Church”The Meaning and Uses of the Word “Church”

The English Word “Church”The English Word “Church”

The English term The English term churchchurch is derived from the is derived from the Greek Greek kuriakonkuriakon, which is an adjectival form , which is an adjectival form of of kurioskurios (“Lord”). It means “belonging to (“Lord”). It means “belonging to the Lord.”the Lord.”

Initially this term was used to describe the Initially this term was used to describe the place where Christians met together, thus place where Christians met together, thus denoting it as God’s house.denoting it as God’s house.

Because the place had such significance Because the place had such significance only because the people of God met in it, it only because the people of God met in it, it subsequently was applied to the assembly subsequently was applied to the assembly itself.itself.

The Greek Word The Greek Word evkklhsi,aevkklhsi,a

evkklhsi,aevkklhsi,a is a compound word from: is a compound word from: evkevk, “out”, “out” kale,wkale,w,“to call or summon”,“to call or summon”

Thus, “a called out assembly”Thus, “a called out assembly”

Usage of Usage of evkklhsi,aevkklhsi,a Prior to NT Prior to NT TimesTimes

In pre-New Testament times, the term In pre-New Testament times, the term meant “an assembly of citizens summoned meant “an assembly of citizens summoned by the town crier.”by the town crier.”

Eventually, the idea of “summoning” was Eventually, the idea of “summoning” was lost and the word came to mean simply lost and the word came to mean simply “assembly.”“assembly.”

There was no special religious significance There was no special religious significance for the word before the time of the NT.for the word before the time of the NT.

Even in NT times, Even in NT times, evkklhsi,aevkklhsi,a could still be could still be used for an unruly mob (Acts 19:30).used for an unruly mob (Acts 19:30).

Usage of Usage of evkklhsi,aevkklhsi,a in the in the NTNT

Non-technical usages Non-technical usages Acts 7:38Acts 7:38 Hebrews 2:12 (citing Psa 22:22; Hebrews 2:12 (citing Psa 22:22; evkklhsi,aevkklhsi,a

used to translate the Hebrew used to translate the Hebrew qahalqahal)) Acts 19:32-41 (3 occurrences)Acts 19:32-41 (3 occurrences)

Sub-technical usage in earliest epistles (1 Sub-technical usage in earliest epistles (1 Thess 1:1; 2:14; 2 Thess 1:1, 4).Thess 1:1; 2:14; 2 Thess 1:1, 4). Characterized by extensive use of modifying Characterized by extensive use of modifying

phrases that are not found in later epistles.phrases that are not found in later epistles. Technical usage – the term eventually Technical usage – the term eventually

became distinctive of a Christian became distinctive of a Christian assembly, spiritually united in Christ.assembly, spiritually united in Christ. Most of the NT usages have this meaning of a Most of the NT usages have this meaning of a

local, autonomous assembly of believers.local, autonomous assembly of believers.

Beyond the Technical to a Beyond the Technical to a Broader UsageBroader Usage

Example:Example: And He put all things in subjection under His feet, And He put all things in subjection under His feet,

and gave Him as head over all things to the and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all (Eph 1:22-23).fills all in all (Eph 1:22-23).

Of the 13 times that Of the 13 times that evkklhsi,aevkklhsi,a occurs in occurs in Ephesians and Colossians, only 2 (Col 4:14-Ephesians and Colossians, only 2 (Col 4:14-16) employ the technical usage of local 16) employ the technical usage of local church.church.

The other 11 occurrences are always singular The other 11 occurrences are always singular and always with the article, and refer to the and always with the article, and refer to the universal group of believers in Christ.universal group of believers in Christ.

What about What about evkklhsi,aevkklhsi,a in the in the Gospels?Gospels?

There are only 3 occurrences of There are only 3 occurrences of evkklhsi,aevkklhsi,a in in the Gospels, 1 in Matt 16:18 and 2 in Matt the Gospels, 1 in Matt 16:18 and 2 in Matt 18:17.18:17. ““And I also say to you that you are Peter, and And I also say to you that you are Peter, and

upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it” (Matt 16:18).of Hades shall not overpower it” (Matt 16:18).

From the standpoint of the hearers, the term From the standpoint of the hearers, the term here has not yet reached the technical here has not yet reached the technical meaning it will have later. Here it simply meaning it will have later. Here it simply means “assembly.” More revelation will be means “assembly.” More revelation will be needed, especially that given through the needed, especially that given through the Apostle Paul, to fully understand the Apostle Paul, to fully understand the character of this assembly.character of this assembly.

The Nature of the ChurchThe Nature of the Church(from (from The Church in God’s The Church in God’s

ProgramProgram)) A Divine Assembly (1 Cor 1:2)A Divine Assembly (1 Cor 1:2)

““The church is God’s assembly; its beginning, The church is God’s assembly; its beginning, its history and its glorious destiny all rest upon its history and its glorious destiny all rest upon the initiative and power of divine grace. It is a the initiative and power of divine grace. It is a people called forth by God, incorporated into people called forth by God, incorporated into Christ, and indwelt by the Spirit” (p. 19).Christ, and indwelt by the Spirit” (p. 19).

A Responsible Assembly (Acts 2:44)A Responsible Assembly (Acts 2:44) ““If the New Testament portrays the church as a If the New Testament portrays the church as a

people formed by divine initiative, it also people formed by divine initiative, it also pictures that assembly as one responding to pictures that assembly as one responding to the Convener” (p. 22).the Convener” (p. 22).

The Nature of the ChurchThe Nature of the Church (from (from The Church in God’s The Church in God’s

ProgramProgram)) The Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)The Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

““The apostle Paul’s favorite description The apostle Paul’s favorite description of the church is the metaphor of the of the church is the metaphor of the head and the body. Christ is the Head head and the body. Christ is the Head of the body which is His church” (p. 24).of the body which is His church” (p. 24).

This analogy expresses the This analogy expresses the unityunity, , diversitydiversity, and , and mutual cooperationmutual cooperation that that make up the church.make up the church.

The Nature of the ChurchThe Nature of the Church (from (from The Church in God’s The Church in God’s

ProgramProgram)) The Temple of God (Eph 2:19-22)The Temple of God (Eph 2:19-22)

The church is described as a temple building, The church is described as a temple building, with each member a living stone and the whole with each member a living stone and the whole built upon the foundation of the apostles and built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. This prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. This temple is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.temple is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

A Priesthood (1 Pet 2:4-5)A Priesthood (1 Pet 2:4-5) ““As Israel was formed by God to be a priestly As Israel was formed by God to be a priestly

nation, so now, following her setting aside nation, so now, following her setting aside during this age, the church functions as God’s during this age, the church functions as God’s mediatorial people” (pp. 38-39).mediatorial people” (pp. 38-39).

The Bride of Christ (Eph 5:22-23)The Bride of Christ (Eph 5:22-23) ““As human marriage involves the intimacy of As human marriage involves the intimacy of

oneness, so members of the church are united oneness, so members of the church are united to Christ as ‘members of his body...’ (v. 30)” to Christ as ‘members of his body...’ (v. 30)” (p. 45).(p. 45).

The Nature of the ChurchThe Nature of the Church (from (from The Church in God’s The Church in God’s

ProgramProgram)) Two Other MetaphorsTwo Other Metaphors

Flock (John 10:16, 27)Flock (John 10:16, 27) ““The church as God’s people in the New as The church as God’s people in the New as

in the Old Testament is the ‘flock of God’ (1 in the Old Testament is the ‘flock of God’ (1 Pe 5:2). But something new is added; it is Pe 5:2). But something new is added; it is also Christ’s flock” (p. 50).also Christ’s flock” (p. 50).

Vine and Branches (John 15:5)Vine and Branches (John 15:5) ““Repeatedly Israel is symbolized by a vine Repeatedly Israel is symbolized by a vine

which God has planted, but it has failed to which God has planted, but it has failed to bear the desired fruit...Against this failure of bear the desired fruit...Against this failure of the Old Testament vine, Jesus comes as the the Old Testament vine, Jesus comes as the ‘true vine’ (Jn. 15:1) who does bring forth ‘true vine’ (Jn. 15:1) who does bring forth fruit through the branches abiding in Him, fruit through the branches abiding in Him, namely, His disciples of the New Testament namely, His disciples of the New Testament church” (p. 53).church” (p. 53).

Next Week: The Inauguration Next Week: The Inauguration of the Churchof the Church

Syllabus pp. 84-93Syllabus pp. 84-93

Saucy pp. 57-68Saucy pp. 57-68