Is the word 'church' in the Bible always referring to the New Testament body of Christ?
No. The Greek word ekklesia is translated 'church' and also 'assembly,' and not every occurrence in the Bible refers to the New Testament body of Christ. Therefore, each use must be identified, defined, and placed in its rightful context. This distinction is essential.
Les teaches that the word translated 'church' in our Bible comes from the Greek word ekklesia, which is also translated 'assembly.' He stresses that not every time the word church appears is it the New Testament body of Christ, so believers must learn to separate and put things in their rightful place. As an example, he points to Acts chapter 7, where Stephen is preaching to the nation of Israel seven years after Pentecost, showing that the setting and audience must be identified. In the verse under discussion, the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
More Questions
Does every use of the word 'church' in the Bible refer to the New Testament body of Christ?
Not every time the word 'church' appears in the Bible is it referring to the New Testament body of Christ; you must learn to separate these occurrences and put the word in its rightful place.