An Assembly In The Spirit

[Mr. M]

I prefer the word congregation for ekklesia. The problem that I see, is that for a congregation or assembly to exist, they must be able to congregate, or assemble. Not trying to be cute, my point is that the body of Christ exists around the globe and consists of a multitude of assemblies or congregations. That being the case, it has never bothered me to refer to the body of Christ as His Church. It has become cliche to say "the church is not a building, it's the people". Yes, and a large gathering at that, and can only be an Assembly in the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 5:

3 For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present)

him who has so done this deed. 

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together (synago), along with my spirit, 

with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved

in the day of the Lord Jesus.

If false Jewish brethren are referred to as the "synagogue of Satan" by the Lord, then truly

we are the holy synagogue of the Spirit.

Revelation 2:9 I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy

of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue (synagoge) of Satan.

Even as Paul wrote to the Romans:

2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit,

and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Edited October 17, 2024 by Mr. M

[farouk]

By God's grace, the Lord's pilgrim people need to discern Acts 2.42 activities in which to continue steadfastly.

[Alive]

Two different things are expressed here. We have the called out ones who are gathering or assembling together..

Ekklesia is a very specific word holding a specific meaning and should not be occluded.

As is gathering.

[Mr. M]

1 hour ago, Alive said:

Two different things are expressed here. We have the called out ones who are gathering or assembling together..

Ekklesia is a very specific word holding a specific meaning and should not be occluded.

As is gathering.

Paul is giving specific instructions to the ekklesia at Corinth of actions to take when they are gathered together (synago).

When they are not together, they are still members of that congregation. No occlusion has occurred. 

[Alive]

7 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

Paul is giving specific instructions to the ekklesia at Corinth of actions to take when they are gathered together (synago).

When they are not together, they are still members of that congregation. No occlusion has occurred. 

Perhaps you missed my point and that is likely my fault. What I meant to convey is the difference in the two words..they are two different things.

The Ekklesia are the 'called out ones'.

The assembly or congregation or gathering is the Ekklesia getting together.

You seemed to be replacing Ekklesia with 'congregation'.

Mr. M wrote:

I prefer the word congregation for ekklesia. 

[Mr. M]

6 minutes ago, Alive said:

8 minutes ago, Alive said:

you seemed to be replacing Ekklesia with 'congregation'.

No, I was using congregation in place of church, which was being debated on another thread as inaccurate. 

I have no problem with church, I only stated that I prefer congregation since it is used in the OT for Israel.

Thus the issue wasn't one of definition, but translation.

ekklesia may be defined as called out ones, but it is never translated that way. 

I have also heard the expression "the church in the wilderness" used by some for Israel, when they were wandering.

I have noticed that different Jewish synagogues identify as Congregation combined with a name of distinction,

implying that they are all a part of the Congregation of Israel. 

My point was that the called out ones can assemble, or gather together in the Spirit, as the church of God is global.

Now I have a headache! I do appreciate your comments though, thanks.

31 minutes ago, Alive said:

The assembly or congregation or gathering is the Ekklesia getting together.

 

I am going to stick with the assertion that even when the ekklesia are not gathered together (synago),

they are still members of the church, congregation, assembly, or synagogue, as all these terms are used.

I was a member of a church that called itself Victory Assembly, then changed the name to Victory Fellowship.

I was still a part of that church, even when we weren't gathered together in fellowship! Am I giving you a headache now?

[Alive]

4 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

I am going to stick with the assertion that even when the ekklesia are not gathered together (synago),

they are still members of the church, congregation, assembly, or synagogue, as all these terms are used.

I was a member of a church that called itself Victory Assembly, then changed the name to Victory Fellowship.

I was still a part of that church, even when we weren't gathered together in fellowship! Am I giving you a headache now?

No headache here, brother. What you are saying above does not negate or contradict the reality that the Ekklesia are the ones 'called out' by God from one place to another. All of the 'called out ones' are a single 'organism' referred to as the 'Body of Christ'. This is true irrespective of time and place.

[Mr. M]

5 minutes ago, Alive said:

This is true irrespective of time and place.

 

2 hours ago, Mr. M said:

my point is that the body of Christ exists around the globe and consists of a multitude of assemblies or congregations. That being the case, it has never bothered me to refer to the body of Christ as His Church.

I think we are in agreement. I am not at issue with defining ekklesia as the called out ones, nor do I have an issue with the

way it is translated in different Bibles. In the KJV, is almost always translated church.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1577/kjv/tr/0-1/

What we seem to be proving is that translating assembly or congregation can cause confusion. Paul instructs the 

ekklesia (church) at Corinth what they must do when they are gathered together (synago). Being gathered together,

at least in English, can also be expressed as assembled, or congregating. Using the noun Church avoids that issue, and

would seem to answer the question posed by @Vine Abider

[Alive]

4 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

 

I think we are in agreement. I am not at issue with defining ekklesia as the called out ones, nor do I have an issue with the

way it is translated in different Bibles. In the KJV, is almost always translated church.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1577/kjv/tr/0-1/

What we seem to be proving is that translating assembly or congregation can cause confusion. Paul instructs the 

ekklesia (church) at Corinth what they must do when they are gathered together (synago). Being gathered together,

at least in English, can also be expressed as assembled, or congregating. Using the noun Church avoids that issue, and

would seem to answer the question posed by @Vine Abider

I see no confusion whatsoever. The language is clear.

[Mr. M]

2 minutes ago, Alive said:

I see no confusion whatsoever. The language is clear.

Depending on how it is translated. You proposed that Congregation was more appropriate than Church.

We are all members of the body of Christ, regardless of whether are not we are assembling or congregating.

Paul gave instructions to the ekklesia at Corinth of actions to take when they are gathered together (synago).

When they are not together, they remain members of the ekklesia. Using Congregation or Assembly can be misconstrued 

as believers when they are congregating or assembling, as this is an acceptable way to use ekklesia.

Acts 19:

39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly (ekklesia). 

40 For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may

give to account for this disorderly gathering.” 

41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.