This Is the Way: A 30-Day Journey Through the Book of ActsSample

The Ekklesia

By Jelani Lewis

The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. —Acts 19:32 (NIV)

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “church”? For me, I think about the place where I grew up—literally. My mother was a worship leader for several different churches, so we were always in church. We were in Sunday school, Sunday service, evening services, Bible studies, revivals, retreats, camps, and choir rehearsals. You name it, we were there. In fact, I’m pretty sure we outlasted Jesus a couple of Sundays!

What about you? Maybe you think of songs, sermons, and sanctuaries. Maybe you think of felt boards and fun games. Or maybe you think of buildings full of people . . . weird, wonderful, and broken people. Ultimately, we all think of something.

The first time the word “church” is used in the Bible is in the Gospel of Matthew. In response to Peter’s revelation that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus says, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18–19 NIV).

From these verses, it’s clear that the Church is something Jesus will build. What He builds will not be overcome by hell, and it includes a gift of keys for kingdom influence. Additionally, the Greek word we get “church” from in this verse is the word ekklesia. This is not a religious term but a term used to describe a gathering of people for a specific purpose. It’s an assembly of “called-out ones.”

In fact, Luke uses the word ekklesia in Acts chapter 19 three times, and it’s completely unrelated to a traditional church. In one reference, he describes rioters in Ephesus who are upset with Paul for preaching the gospel, writing, “The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there” (Acts 19:32 NIV). The word “assembly” is the word ekklesia, a gathering of people Luke describes as confused and uncertain as to why they’re even there. I don’t know about you, but there have been times I’ve been in a church and felt like that. And I don’t think that’s at all what the good Lord intended.

So why are we here? Why do we as believers gather together? Well, expressions have changed over the centuries, but I believe there are some essentials. In reference to worship gatherings, Paul writes, “But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God exclaiming, ‘God is really among you!’” (1 Corinthians 14:24–25 NIV).

Notice first that Paul says after the conviction of the Holy Spirit, an unbeliever will worship God. Why? Because that’s what everyone else would be doing at the assembly—worshiping. Therefore, church is first a place of corporate worship and exaltation of God. Second, the verse begins by addressing unbelievers as if the apostle expects lost people to show up at the gatherings and encounter the Lord. This means Paul saw ekklesiae as places for evangelism. Additionally, Paul writes, “Everything must be done so that the church may be built up” (1 Corinthians 14:26 NIV). This means the Word, fellowship, communion, and prayer were a part of edifying the body of believers (see Acts 2:42–47).

Finally, in Acts 19:38 and 41, Luke uses the word ekklesia twice, and it’s in reference to a group that actually legislated against the church. One theologian suggests there’s a legislative undertone (like city council or congress) attached to this concept and the Church is God’s legislative body in history. This is not about politics. It’s simply about the Church expressing the values and principles of heaven on the earth. This is why Jesus, when He discusses the Church in Matthew 16, talks about keys (which speaks to authority) and kingdom (which speaks to rule). Why? Because like a sports team, church was always meant to be a huddle where we get direction from Coach Jesus and disperse to run the play that ultimately expresses God’s values and will to move His kingdom agenda forward in every sphere of the earth. Therefore, we gather to exalt Jesus, evangelize the lost, edify the believers, and expand the kingdom—this is the fruit of the ekklesia.

My friend Sam recently experienced the power of the ekklesia. She’s a manager at the women’s clothing store where my wife Erin works. (Sidenote to the men: Never let your wife work at a women’s clothing store. You will lose money. Ha!) Erin, understanding she was there for kingdom purposes, began to share the values of the King in the store by encouraging and praying for Sam as well as customers and co-workers. Erin eventually invited Sam to church, and during worship, she often wept in God’s presence. As a family, we took her to lunch after church, and Sam talked about how she was challenged and inspired by the Word. Finally, one Sunday, Sam gave her life to Jesus!

What if God has put a Sam in your life? What if Sam lives in your neighborhood, works at your job, attends your school, and desperately needs to experience theekklesia? Remember, the Church is not solely a location but a people called out from the world to be a light to the world. The Church is a movement of individuals gathering to celebrate that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. The Church is an assembly committed to community and kingdom expansion on the earth. Today, may you be reminded, you are the Church!

Prayer

Jesus, we honor You today because You are the Son of God, the Christ. Thank You for building Your Church. Thank You for calling us out from the world to be Your hands and feet on the earth and to expand Your kingdom. Help us be the Church today and display what life is like in Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Activation

• Take a moment and write down what comes to mind when you hear the word “Church.” What stands out to you the most about your descriptive words?
• Why do you think it’s important to gather with other believers?
• What’s one practical way you can be the Church today?
• Ask the Lord to show you “your Sam.” Pray for opportunities to build a friendship so you can talk with him or her about Jesus.

For Further Study

Acts 19; Acts 2:42–47; Acts 9:31; 1 Corinthians 12:27; 1 Peter 2:9

Holy Spirit, what are you saying to me?