No, the Church as the Body of Christ is not mentioned in the Gospel accounts because it was a secret kept in the mind of God.
The Gospels primarily address the nation of Israel, not a Gentile body of believers. The Church, which Paul later identified as the Body of Christ, was part of the mysteries that God kept hidden until the time of the Apostle Paul. Thus, no hint of the Church appears in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.
Ephesians 3:9 — This verse references the mystery hidden from ages, which Les connects to the Church being a secret.
The Bible does not explicitly state that the Church is absent from the Gospels. However, the New Testament does reveal that some truths were kept secret until later. In Ephesians 3:9 (KJV), Paul writes, 'And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.' This indicates a hidden purpose of God not previously revealed. Furthermore, in Acts 7, Stephen refers to Israel as 'the church in the wilderness' (Acts 7:38 KJV). This shows that the Greek word 'ecclesia' (translated 'church') can refer to a called-out assembly, not necessarily the Body of Christ. Thus, while the Gospels do not mention the Church as a distinct entity, the term 'church' itself appears in reference to Israel.
Les Feldick teaches that the Church, defined as the Body of Christ, is not found in the Gospel accounts because it was a secret kept in the mind of God. He emphasizes that the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and even John—are predominantly directed to the nation of Israel, not to a Gentile body. Les explains that a secret cannot have portions revealed without ceasing to be a secret, so no mention of the Church could appear. He further distinguishes the word 'ecclesia' (translated as 'church') from the Body of Christ. For instance, Israel at Sinai was an 'ecclesia' as a called-out assembly, but not the Church. Similarly, a riotous mob in Ephesus was also called an 'ecclesia' (Acts 19:32), showing that the word does not always refer to the Body of Christ. Les clarifies that the Church as a distinct entity was not revealed until the Apostle Paul received it directly from the ascended Christ. Only after Israel's rejection of the Messiah did God set Israel aside and turn to the Gentiles, revealing the previously hidden mystery of the Body of Christ.
In the New Testament, the Greek word 'ecclesia' is often translated as 'church,' but it literally means 'a called-out assembly.' Les Feldick points out that in Acts 19, a mob incited by silversmiths in Ephesus is called an 'ecclesia' (Acts 19:32, 39-41). That was not a church in the Christian sense, but a gathering of people called out by the silversmiths. Similarly, Israel at Mount Sinai was an 'ecclesia' because God called them out of Egypt and assembled them, but they were not the Body of Christ. Thus, the presence of the word 'ecclesia' does not automatically indicate the Church.
Les teaches that Jesus's ministry in the Gospels was directed predominantly to Israel. The nation had been promised the Kingdom, and the Gospels reflect that offer. The Church as a Gentile body was not yet revealed. Israel's rejection of the Messiah led to God setting them aside and turning to the Gentiles, as Paul later explained.
According to Les, the Church was first revealed to the Apostle Paul, who received direct revelation from the ascended Lord. Before Paul, even Peter and the apostles did not know about the Church as the Body of Christ. They were still operating under the Jewish framework of the Kingdom. Only after Israel's rejection did God reveal the mystery of the Church through Paul.
The Secret of the Church
Les explains that the Church was a secret kept in God's mind, so it could not be revealed in the Gospels without spoiling the secret.
No Body of Christ in Gospels
Les asserts that you cannot find the Body of Christ in the Gospels; it was only revealed through the Apostle Paul after Israel's rejection.
Ecclesia as Called-Out Assembly
Les shows that Stephen called Israel in the wilderness an 'ecclesia,' but that did not mean the Body of Christ existed; it was just a called-out assembly.
Ecclesia in Acts
Les demonstrates with the Ephesian riot that 'ecclesia' can refer to any assembly, not just the Church; context determines meaning.
Don't Look for Church in Gospels
Les emphasizes that the Church and rapture are not in the Gospels; they are hidden secrets, and God was dealing only with Israel.
Peter's Lack of Knowledge
Les states that even Peter and the apostles had no knowledge of the Church; they remained within the framework of Judaism.
Ecclesia in Plural Contexts
Les reiterates that both Israel in the wilderness and the Ephesian mob were called 'ecclesias,' showing the word's general meaning.
Israel as Called-Out Assembly
Les clarifies that Israel at Sinai was a called-out assembly, but not a church as we understand it—no deacons, bishops, or pastors.
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 refers to Israel as 'the church in the wilderness,' showing that 'church' (ecclesia) can mean an assembly of God's people, not necessarily 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.
This verse uses 'assembly' (ecclesia) for a riotous mob, demonstrating that the word does not always refer to the Church.
Ephesians 3:9: And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Paul speaks of a mystery hidden in God from the beginning, which Les connects to the Church being a secret not revealed in the Gospels.
Jesus is recorded as saying 'I will build my church' in Matthew 16:18, but Les Feldick explains that this may not refer to the Body of Christ. The Greek word 'ecclesia' can mean a called-out assembly, and in context, it could refer to the assembly of believers at that time, not specifically the Church that Paul later revealed.
Les Feldick clarifies that the word 'church' (ecclesia) is used for Israel in the wilderness (Acts 7:38), but that does not mean the Church existed then. It was just a called-out assembly, not the Body of Christ. The Church as a distinct entity was not revealed until the Apostle Paul.
The English word 'church' appears in the New Testament, but it translates the Greek 'ecclesia.' Les Feldick points out that the first use in Acts refers to the assembly of believers in Jerusalem, which was still under Judaism. The Church as the Body of Christ was revealed later through Paul's epistles.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Gospels Aren't for the Church — 2 Corinthians 5