Is the Ecclesia in Acts 19:32 a church?
No. In Acts 19:32 the Ecclesia was not a church in the sense of the body of Christ; it was a called-out assembly summoned by the silversmiths during the Ephesian riot. The passage describes a confused mob in the theater, so the word church should not automatically be equated with the body of Christ.
Les explains that Acts 19:32 occurs during the Ephesian uproar when idolatrous Ephesians were full of wrath, crying, 'Great is Diana of the Ephesians,' and the whole city was filled with confusion. Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's companions, were rushed into the theater, creating a mob and a riot. Paul wanted to enter, but the disciples would not permit him, and friends among the chief of Asia warned him not to venture into the theater. Verse 32 says some cried one thing and some another, 'for the Ecclesia.' Les asks, 'Is that a church? Hardly.' It was a called-out assembly, but the silversmiths had called them out. Les warns that when the word church appears, it should not automatically be thought of as the church as we know it or as Paul refers to it—the body of Christ. By contrast, in Acts 2 the Ecclesia was a called-out assembly of Jewish believers who had separated from mainstream Judaism, believed Jesus was the Christ, and assembled in fellowship and breaking of bread.
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
More Questions
Why is the mob in Acts 19 called the Ecclesia?
The Acts 19 crowd is called an Ecclesia only because it was a called-out assembly, and the silversmiths were the ones who called them out.