In Acts 2:47, 'church' refers to a called-out assembly of Jewish believers, not necessarily the Body of Christ.
Les Feldick teaches that the Greek word ekklesia, translated 'church,' simply means a "called-out assembly." It can refer to any group, even a riotous mob. In Acts 2, the believers were Jewish, called out of Judaism, and still under its umbrella. Thus, the term does not automatically denote the New Testament church, the Body of Christ.
Acts 2:47 — This is the verse in question, showing the context of the early believers after Pentecost.
Acts 2:47 (KJV) states: "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." The surrounding context describes the events at Pentecost: a Jewish crowd, a Jewish speaker (Peter), and Jewish believers sharing their possessions. The term 'church' here is translated from the Greek ekklesia, which literally means a "called-out assembly." In the Bible, this word is used for various assemblies, not just the Body of Christ. For example, in Acts 19, a riotous mob in Ephesus is called an ekklesia, and Stephen calls Israel the "church in the wilderness" (Acts 7:38). Therefore, the word itself does not automatically mean the New Testament church.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the word 'church' in Acts 2:47 is the Greek ekklesia, meaning a "called-out assembly." He points out that this term is not exclusive to the Body of Christ. For instance, he notes that a riotous mob in Ephesus was also called an ekklesia, and Stephen referred to Israel in the wilderness as the "church in the wilderness" (Acts 7:38). Therefore, when reading Acts 2:47, we must recognize that these were Jewish believers called out of Judaism, not the Body of Christ. Les clarifies that Paul usually qualifies the present-day church as the "Body of Christ" to distinguish it from these other assemblies. He also states that Acts 2 is often mistakenly considered the birth of the church, but he sees it as a Jewish setting with Jewish believers.
The Greek word is ekklesia, which means a "called-out assembly." Les Feldick explains that this word can refer to any group, religious or not. For example, he notes that a riotous mob in Ephesus was also called an ekklesia (Acts 19). Thus, the term does not automatically denote the Body of Christ.
Les Feldick teaches that the believers in Acts 2 were Jewish believers, called out of Judaism, and still under the umbrella of Judaism. They were not yet the Body of Christ, which is a later revelation through Paul. Paul often identifies the church as the "Body of Christ" to make this distinction clear.
Les Feldick points out that Stephen referred to Israel in the wilderness as the "church in the wilderness" (Acts 7:38), showing that the term can apply to any called-out assembly. Additionally, he mentions the riotous mob in Ephesus, which was also called an ekklesia, yet was not a church in any spiritual sense.
Introduction to Biblical Interpretation
Les emphasizes the importance of chronological understanding of Scripture, setting the stage for interpreting words like 'church' in their proper context.
Ekklesia as a Riotous Assembly
Les shows that the Greek word ekklesia was used for a riotous mob in Ephesus, proving it does not always mean the Body of Christ.
Ekklesia in Various Contexts
Les explains that Stephen called Israel the 'church in the wilderness,' and that Paul usually qualifies the church as the Body of Christ.
Definition of Ekklesia
Les defines the word 'church' as coming from ekklesia, meaning a 'called-out assembly,' and notes it is not always the Body of Christ.
Israel as an Ecclesia
Les elaborates on Stephen's reference to Israel as the 'church in the wilderness,' reinforcing that ekklesia is a general term for a called-out assembly.
Jewish Believers as an Ecclesia
Les applies the concept to Acts 2, stating that the believing Jews at Jerusalem were an ekklesia, called out of Judaism but still under its umbrella.
Paul's Use of 'Assembly'
Les prefers the term 'assembly' over 'church' because ekklesia means a called-out assembly, and Paul uses it for the Corinthian believers.
Acts 2 Not the Birth of the Church
Les challenges the common belief that Acts 2 is the birth of the Church, noting it is a Jewish setting with a Jewish crowd and speaker.
Acts 2:47: Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
This verse is the focus of the question; it shows the early believers added to a called-out assembly, which in context is Jewish.
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 uses 'church' for Israel in the wilderness, showing the term can mean a called-out assembly, not the Body of Christ.
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 riotous mob in Ephesus is called an 'assembly' (ekklesia), proving the word is not exclusive to a spiritual church.
No, according to Les Feldick, the word 'church' in Acts 2:47 is simply a called-out assembly, referring to Jewish believers. He teaches that the Body of Christ is a later revelation through Paul, so we must not assume every use of 'church' means the Body of Christ.
Ekklesia means a "called-out assembly." It is a general term that can refer to any group of people called together, whether religious, secular, or even riotous, as seen in Acts 19.
Watch the Teaching: What Does "Church" Really Mean? Acts 2 & Ekklesia Explained