The author of the article ?Finding the Church in the Old Testament:?
Remember, ekklesia is the same word that is translated as "church" in the New Testament. It is this same word that is used to translate the Hebrew word qahal, whose English translations are bold in the verses just provided. What we see is the same title given to believers from Genesis to Revelation. Above is 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.
Whereas the English word ?church? (the Lord?s assembly), which is derived from the Greek adjective ?kuriakoV? (the Lord?s), which is used in 1 Corinthians 11:20 in reference to ?the Lord?s supper? and in Revelation 1:10 in reference to ?the Lord?s day,? specifically means ?the Lord?s assembly? or ?the assembly of those who are the Lord?s? and is therefore appropriately applied to the Greek word ?ekklhsia? (assembly) in the 109 instances in the New Testament in which those who comprise the particular ?ekklhsia? (assembly) in view are contextually determined to be believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, the word ?ekklhsia? (assembly) itself does not necessarily refer to the assembly of those who are the Lord?s. In Acts 19:32, 19:39 and 19:40, it refers to the assembly of those citizens of Ephesus who are opposed to the Gospel. So I think that you are hanging too much meaning on the word ?ekklhsia? (assembly) itself. It is the context that determines the identity of those who comprise the particular ?ekklhsia? (assembly) in view in a given text. Those who comprise the ?ekklhsia? (assembly) in a given text may or may not belong to the Lord. Their identity is determined by the context, not by the word ?ekklhsia? (assembly) itself.
Jim, I think you are missing the point. Did you read the text on the link provided called What? Who is the Church? We are all aware that there can be evil assemblies but that is not what is being discussed here. John 20:16. In 20:1: Jesus saith unto her, "Mary". She turned herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, "Rabboni" which means, Teacher (NAS). Mary symbolizes the body/assembly/Church. The passage here makes the point that the Church should be understood in Hebrew, or as the Hebrews understood it, may be a better way of putting it. understanding the depths of what a simple verse like verse 16 means can speak volumes in bringing the breached assembly together. I believe this is what is happening and proves that the time of the end are upon us.
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The Word Ekklhsia
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