YOU CANNOT “GO TO” CHURCH

By the very definition of the word “church” demonstrates that one cannot “go to” church for biblically and in reality, we as believers are the “church” as individual “living stones” fitted together collectively by the Lord.

The Greek word for “church” is ekklesia, and is a compound word taken from the Greek word ek that is defined as from, out of, which denotes origin, the point whence motion or action proceeds. The Greek word kaleo means to call, a calling out, bid, urge on, to incite by word, that is, order, to give command.

In the Greek culture, it was understood as the “calling out” of citizens of the city-state to assemble to transact business.  With this background, the understanding of the New Testament use becomes clearer, to be the Lord “calling out” His saints to assemble for equipping to carry out His Kingdom purposes, and then “to scatter” in obedience to His commands throughout the world in carrying out His Word.

Thus the emphasis is NOT upon the place or location but rather upon the “calling out” and “sending forth” of the saints for the work of ministry.  That’s the reason the New Testament never used the word “church” for a place or location.  Because believers gathered on the sea shore, mountain side, homes, house to house, streets, market place, etc.

The present day emphasis upon place and location comes from the Old Covenant understanding of the use of the terms of “synagogue” (Hebrew: moed moed moadah = appointed place of meeting, fixed time and place, the place of meeting; Greek: sunagoge = a meeting or place.  The “temple” (Hebrew: bayith = house; hekal = palace, temple; Greek: hiaron = priestly edifice, temple, sacred; naos = a dwelling place, inner sanctuary.

The “church” is not brick and mortar but “lively stones” built together by the architect and builder of the “church”, the Lord Jesus Christ!

For three hundred years of church history, the early believers gathered as family and household assemblies with “Jesus in the midst”.  It was not until AD 312 under the rule of the emperor Constantine that believers began meeting in cathedrals and other edifices.  So it was in this setting and context that we have today what is commonly the saying, “going to church”.

© 2013 New Testament Church