The Christian concept "Church" (Greek εκκλησία — ekklesia) is mentioned in the New Testament. Of the 114 occurrences of the term in the New Testament three are found in the Gospel accounts, all in the Gospel of Matthew are spoken by Jesus: "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my ekklesia, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it" (Mt 16:18); and "If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the ekklesia; and if he refuses to listen even to the ekklesia, let him be to you as the Gentile and the tax-collector" (Mt 18:17).
The Greek term εκκλησία — ekklesia, which literally means a "convocation", was a governmental and political term, used to denote a national assembly, congregation or council of common objective. It was a team that worked together to resolve a problem faced by the wider community or society, but did not signify a "building".
So how did we end up where we are now?
2007-02-24
04:59:02
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9 answers
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Anonymous