Why was Israel called the Church in the wilderness if it wasn't a church?
The term rendered “church” is the Greek Ekklesia, meaning a called-out assembly. Israel in the wilderness was not a local church with pastors, bishops, and deacons; it was an Ekklesia because God called Israel out of Egypt unto Himself, making them a called-out assembly.
Les explains that Ekklesia in its true translated form means a called-out assembly, not necessarily someone with pastors, bishops, and deacons. Stephen used the term in Acts 7 when he spoke of the Church in the wilderness. That group was not a Church, but it was a called-out assembly, because God called Israel out of Egypt unto Himself, and it was called an Ekklesia. The Jewish believers in Jerusalem were also a called-out assembly, separated from the run of the mill of Judaizers, so they were an Ekklesia, though Les maintains they were not yet the Body of Christ. Another instance is the riotous mob in Ephesus, which is also called an Ekklesia; the King James translators used “assembly” there rather than “Church.” Thus terminology must be handled carefully so it does not confuse or set us straight wrongly.
More Questions
What did Stephen mean by 'the Church in the wilderness' in Acts 7?
The word Ekklesia was what Stephen referred to in Acts 7 when he spoke of the Church in the wilderness.
Who did Stephen refer to when he said the Church in the wilderness in Acts 7?
The word Ekklesia was what Stephen referred to in Acts chapter 7 when he said the Church in the wilderness.