The word church has an interesting background. It is commonly understood to have pagan roots [1][2] but that's not the concern here. What we're interested in is how the word church was used prior to the New Testament.

In order to help us in our quest we have been given a unique resource, a Greek translation of the Old Testament. The Septuagint, or LXX, was started in the 3rd century BC by a group of 72 scholars (hence the Latin associations with the number 70) and has been used to translate the Old Testament into many languages [3]. The Septuagint is important here because it provides a direct bridge between the Greek of the New Testament and the Hebrew of the Old Testament.

The word translated as "church" in the New Testament is the word ekklesia (which is where we get the English word ecclesiastical). This word is formed from ek, meaning "out of" or "away from", and kaleo meaning "to call"; so it means literally "the called out assembly" [4]. And Who's doing the calling? God, of course. It's no mistake then that ekklesia is also translated as "assembly" and "congregation".

This is where it gets interesting. Ekklesia is used many times throughout the LXX to translate the Hebrew word qahal (or kahal). Recall that the LXX is using Greek to translate the Old Testament, the same Greek as used in the New Testament. What we end up with is an entire Bible written in Greek.

Qahal is translated into English as multitude, company, congregation, and assembly [5]. Notice that two of the four definitions of qahal are identical to those of ekklesia.

Now consider the following passages, paying special attention to how the words multitude, company, congregation and assembly are used:

and said to me, 'Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples and will give this land to your offspring after you for an everlasting possession.' Genesis 48:4

and the people of Israel said to them, "Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." Exodus 16:3

Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel. Numbers 14:5

Then Moses spoke the words of this song until they were finished, in the ears of all the assembly of Israel: Deuteronomy 31:30

and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand." 1 Samuel 17:47

I go about darkened, but not by the sun; I stand up in the assembly and cry for help. Job 30:28

I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: Psalms 22:22

Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! Psalms 149:1

For behold, I am stirring up and bringing against Babylon a gathering of great nations, from the north country. And they shall array themselves against her. From there she shall be taken. Their arrows are like a skilled warrior who does not return empty-handed. Jeremiah 50:9

Remember, ekklesia is the same word that's translated as "church" in the New Testament. It's also the same word that's used to translate the Hebrew word qahal, whose English translations are bold in the verses above.

What we've just witnessed is the same title given to believers from Genesis to Revelation. That was only a small selection of passages from the Greek Old Testament known as the Septuagint. The Greek word is used many times over and often in direct relation to Israel. From beginning to end there is only one called-out assembly, they are known commonly as the church and to God as Israel.

So what does all this mean? It's simple, there's only one body of believers (Romans 12:4). There's a single redemption for Christians, for Jews, and for all on the face of this earth, and His name is Jesus Christ. There is no room for division and there is no distinction by God among His people. God is not partial with men.

Old and New Testament Parallels: First Peter, Exodus & Hosea

The parallels between I Peter and the Old Testament books of Exodus, Deuteronomy and Hosea are another example of God showing no differentiation in His Word between Old and New Testament saints. By addressing the scattered congregation with the same titles as used in the OT Peter demonstrates that they share the same blessings and designations as the multitude on Mount Sinai.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7:6

Peter then draws a comparison with those who have been scattered (1 Peter 1:1) and the births of Lo Ruhamah (no mercy) and Lo Ammi (not my people) as found in Hosea. With this comparison Peter illustrates that even though they are strangers and are scattered, they are still a chosen and holy people.

Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:10

So we see here that Peter has a clear understanding of the relationship between followers of Christ and God's people in the Old Testament, they are one and the same. It's also worth noting that in Hosea 1:10 it's said that "the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered". This is nowhere near any estimate of the number residing in the physical Nation of Israel [6]. Nor is it near the highest estimates at the peak of Ancient Israel. It must therefore be referring to a larger body of believers.

The KJV and the Old Testament Church

The translators of the King James Version maintained a common thread throughout the Old and New Testament congregations. Some of the chapter headings pose no question as to whether they differentiated themselves from their Old Testament bretheren. This is where we'll end our search for the Church in the OT. Many thanks to Lloyd Freeth of Hasten the Light Ministries [7] for the following chapter headings.

Isaiah 43. "God comforteth the Church with his promises"
Isaiah 49. "God's constant love for His Church"
Isaiah 66. "The gathering of all nations into One Church"
Ezekiel 37. "The blessings of Christ's Kingdom"
Micah 4. "The Church's glory - victory of the Church"

Further Reading:

Church - Sticks and Stones or Flesh and Bones
Christ's Ekklesia and The Church Compared
What-Who is the Church

Verses referenced in this study:

• Genesis 48:4
• Exodus 16:3; 19:5-6
• Numbers 14:5
• Deuteronomy 7:6; 31:30
• 1 Samuel 17:47
• Job 30:28
• Psalms 22:22; 149:1
• Jeremiah 50:9
• Hosea 1:6-10
• Acts 10:34-36
• Romans 12:4
• Galatians 6:14-16
• 1 Peter 1:1; 2:9-10

Links referenced in this study: