Ecclesia means a called-out assembly, and it does not automatically mean the Church, the Body of Christ.
Les Feldick teaches that the Greek word ecclesia is generally translated as 'church,' but its meaning must be determined by its setting. Israel in the wilderness, a riotous mob in Ephesus, and Jewish believers in Jerusalem are all called an ecclesia in Scripture. Paul qualifies the true church of this age as the Body of Christ.
Acts 7:38 — Stephen calls Israel 'the church in the wilderness,' showing ecclesia refers to a called-out assembly.
Acts 19:32 — Luke applies ecclesia to the mob in Ephesus, and the translators rendered it 'assembly' rather than 'church.'
Ephesians 1:22-23 — Paul identifies the church as Christ's body, separating this use from the general meaning of ecclesia.
The Bible uses the Greek word ecclesia in more than one setting. In Acts 7:38, Stephen addresses his hearers and refers to 'the church in the wilderness' — that is, Israel assembled before God at Mount Sinai. In Acts 19:32, Luke describes the uproar in Ephesus with the words, 'Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.' There the same Greek word is translated 'assembly' rather than 'church.'
Les Feldick teaches that ecclesia is the Greek word from which 'church' is translated, and it means a called-out assembly. The meaning has to be determined by the setting in which it appears. He points out that Israel out of Egypt and camped at Sinai was a called-out assembly, and therefore an ecclesia, yet it was not a church as we understand it — it had no deacons, bishops, or pastors, and was under the law and Moses. He also notes that the riotous mob in Ephesus was called an ecclesia because the silversmiths had called them together, even though it was an ungodly, unlawful assembly. In Acts 2, the Jewish believers who separated from mainstream Judaism were also a called-out assembly. But when Paul describes the church of this age, he almost always qualifies it as the Body of Christ or the church which is His body.
When Stephen spoke of the church in the wilderness, he was not referring to the Church as we know it. Israel was a called-out assembly: God called them out of Egypt and assembled them around Mount Sinai. They were an ecclesia, but they were not a church — they had no deacons, bishops, or pastors, and they were under the law and under Moses.
In Acts 19, the silversmiths of Ephesus stirred up a riot because Paul's preaching affected the pagan idol trade. The crowd that gathered in the amphitheater was called an ecclesia in the Greek. It was an unlawful, riotous assembly, but it was still a called-out assembly because the silversmiths had called it out.
Les says that the Jewish believers at Jerusalem were indeed an ecclesia because they were called out of Judaism and were assembling together in fellowship. But being an ecclesia did not automatically make them the Body of Christ. That phrase is Paul's qualifying description of the church of this age.
Paul usually qualifies the church as the Body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12 he speaks of the church as Christ's body, and in Ephesians he says the church is His body. This distinguishes the true church of the present age from other uses of the word ecclesia. The church today is a called-out assembly whose head is in heaven, and we are the body.
Stephen's Sermon to Israel
Les sets the context for Stephen's Acts 7 sermon, where Stephen refers to Israel as the 'church in the wilderness.'
Definition of Ecclesia
Les explains that ecclesia simply means a called-out assembly and uses Israel, the Ephesian mob, and Jerusalem believers as examples.
Church in the Wilderness
Les shows that Stephen's 'church in the wilderness' was not the Church as we know it, but Israel called out of Egypt and assembled at Sinai.
Called-Out Assembly, Not an Organized Church
Les emphasizes that Israel was an ecclesia only in the sense of being a called-out assembly; it had no deacons, bishops, or pastors.
Ephesian Mob Called Ecclesia
Les explains that the riotous mob in Ephesus was called an ecclesia in the Greek, but the translators rendered it 'assembly' because it was not a church.
Ephesian Ecclesia and Jerusalem Believers
Les shows that the word ecclesia in Acts 19 was applied to the mob, and then says the Acts 2 Jewish believers were a called-out assembly as well.
Israel Not Baptized Into Ecclesia Membership
Les connects the called-out assembly of Israel to Acts 7, while noting that Israel was not baptized to become members of that assembly.
Paul's Qualifying Phrase: The Body of Christ
Les contrasts the general ecclesia with Paul's description of the church as the Body of Christ in 1 Corinthians 12, where Christ is the head.
Acts 7:38: This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
Stephen applies the word 'church' (ecclesia) to Israel in the wilderness, showing it means a called-out assembly.
Acts 19:32: Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
The Greek word ecclesia is used of the riotous crowd in Ephesus, which the KJV translates as 'assembly.'
1 Corinthians 12:27: Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Paul describes the ecclesia of this age as the body of Christ, which qualifies the meaning.
Ephesians 1:22-23: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Paul identifies the church as the body of Christ, showing the special meaning of ecclesia when used of believers today.
No. Les Feldick teaches that the word ecclesia is used in different ways. Israel in the wilderness and the riotous mob in Ephesus were both called an ecclesia, yet neither was the Body of Christ. Paul qualifies the true church of this age as the Body of Christ.
Because ecclesia simply means a called-out assembly. The silversmiths had called the crowd out, so even an ungodly, unlawful mob could be called an ecclesia. That is why the translators called it an assembly rather than a church.
Les says no. Israel was a called-out assembly, or an ecclesia, but not the church as we understand it. They had no deacons, bishops, or pastors; they were under the law and under Moses.
Les says they were a called-out assembly and could be called a church, but that does not automatically make them the Body of Christ. Paul uses the phrase 'Body of Christ' to qualify the church of this present age.
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