Title: Ecclesia/Acts 09:31-31
Content If the concept of the church is defined as the meeting of Christians, the word for the meeting and meeting of the Israelites in the Old Testament is 'kahal' (??????). The meaning of 'Kahal' is generally 'the called flock' or 'the called flock'. This qahal appears as the basis of the church concept in the legal document, the Pentateuch, where it can be seen that qahal is mostly used in rituals, that is, the worshiping community. In any case, it can be seen that when qahal is used with a noun and a verb, it is associated with the word 'congregation'. The New Testament uses 'ekklhsiva' (ejkklhsiva), which means "a gathering of those who have been called out."
So, in the ecclesiology, the church is defined as a gathering of saved saints, and it is also called the body of Christ and the dwelling place of God as it was established by Jesus Christ by sacrificing Himself.
Matthew 16 clearly shows that such a church is not simply built. Just as the Lord said that the Lord will build the church on the confession of faith when Peter made the correct profession of faith, when there is the correct profession of faith, the church becomes a true church. What does the church look like when there is a correct confession of faith?
First, the life of the church members becomes a life of faith that glorifies God.
Second, they lead a life of striving for the salvation of their own souls. That is, they are not noisy because of their job or busy with work.
Third, it becomes a life devoted to social salvation, human service, and realizing God's justice.
But what will happen when this profession of faith is not made correctly?
First, they seek to accomplish their own will rather than the glory of God.
Second, it becomes a life for the pursuit of practical profit rather than the salvation of one's own soul.
Third, humanistic life is expressed rather than social salvation or the realization of God's justice.
Just as buildings without a foundation collapse, a life of faith without a confession of faith will eventually collapse. Even in human relationships, human love without the basis of true agape love will someday become hate and betrayal, but a person based on true agape love never has hatred or betrayal. Likewise, a church without a proper profession of faith is nothing more than a basilica, a gathering of people.
peaceful church
The church must be at peace. Our Lord Jesus came into this world to give us this peace. Not only to unite the relationship of hatred and hatred, division and conflict, but for true peace, the Lord died on the cross. And he built a church. Therefore, the ekklesia, the church, must be at peace.
Studying the Acts of the Apostles, the early church was not at peace.
In Chapter 1, it is recorded that after Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples lived cautiously amidst anxiety.
In Chapters 2 and 3, the believers who gained strength after the descent of the Holy Spirit and especially Peter's powerful gospel ministry are recorded.
In chapter 4, Peter and John stand before the court.
Chapter 5 tells the story of Ananias and Sapphira's spiritual departure from their false religious lives.
In chapter 6, deacon Stephen is arrested.
Chapter 7 records the martyrdom of Stephen.
Chapter 8 records Saul's persecution of the church.
And in Chapter 9, when Saul was converted and became Paul, the gospel ministry began in earnest. From this point on, the church began to find its place, and the contents of verse 31, the words of today's text, were recorded. However, we must not overlook that very important words are written. He said, "The church in all Judea and Galilee and Samaria is in peace and is going strong." And in verse 32, it is recorded that Peter did the gospel ministry while traveling in all directions, in verse 35 it is recorded as “people living in Lydda and Sharon”, and in verse 36 Peter’s ministry in Joppa is recorded. In chapter 10, the story of Cornelius receiving the gospel and believing in the Lord is recorded in Caesarea.
When the church is in peace, the gospel spreads well. If the church is not at peace, the gospel cannot be preached.
In Acts 2:42-47, the church life of the saints is vividly recorded, and as the saints received and obeyed God's word well, they were at peace. . In other words, a peaceful church is revitalized. If the church is peaceful, the church will revive. If the church is at peace, the community will also be at peace because of the church. When the community is at peace, the gospel spreads better. Therefore, our church has come to this day as a church of peace, so I believe that the Lord has made our church revitalized like this and become a more peaceful church.
However, we must be careful, we must not forget that the devil uses anyone to make the church feel bad when it is peaceful and revived like this, and to make a noise in the church over nothing. I bless you that none of you become instruments of the devil to destroy the church.
A church that stands strong
The true form of ekklesia is a church that stands strong. If the church is at peace, the church will stand strong. This is an architectural term, and Ephesians 2:21 gives a detailed explanation of it. “In him, every building is joined together to become a temple in the Lord, and you too are being built together in Jesus to become a dwelling place for God in the Holy Spirit.” This is characteristic of a revival church. The true form of ekklesia is that each member of the church is spiritually connected to each other and is firmly established as God's holy church.
In this regard, I am more thankful to God that our church will become a more reliable church. However, what we must remember and not forget is that there must be a force that is destroying this building, that is, the church. Even if you hold an office in the church and live together as a holy community of the church for a long time, there is always a force that destroys the church. All buildings are easy to destroy. But I don't know how difficult it is to build. It's not just buildings. If we want to destroy the church, it is possible in an instant. Instead of boasting that there are thousands or tens of thousands of members, we should pray for a church that is being built up stronger. In other words, we have seen too many churches where churches that had been so strong because of nothing, were destroyed by one or two humanists and their members were scattered.
For personal glory and profit, regardless of what happens to the Church of God, we need to be on the lookout for those who live in the church as a tool of the devil who scratch the church, frame the ministers, separate the members, and make the church unhappy. is. These people are judged by God. We pray that our church will become a more resilient church. So, everyone should return to this church, believe in our Lord Jesus as their Savior, and become a people loved by God.
A church that advances with the comfort of the Holy Spirit
Finally, there is a very important point. It was said, "They proceeded with the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and the number increased." This is the true form of ekklesia. That's right. The growth of the church comes through the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Human means and methods cannot revive the church. What most revival churches have in common is that they do not mobilize human methods and means for church revival, but are reviving through the work of the Holy Spirit while obediently obedient to the Word and praying. In order for the church to grow, it is necessary to know that it inevitably proceeds with the comfort of the Holy Spirit. This is what true ekklesia looks like.
<The worship service is splendid, but the Lord is not there.> We pray that our church will not be like that. Amen.