Learning Ekklesia

Jesus did not voice any intention of the continuation of temple-based worship or synagogue-centered teaching and government. He did voice His intention of building ekklesia, and expecting it to be a form of government. When He used the word in Matthew 16 and 18, and in the Revelation given to John, the term was used to refer to a group of people called out of a larger group and tasked with some project or responsibility, such as making a judgment, voting on settling an argument or new law, or managing resources.

In Matthew 18, Jesus described a Kingdom process of correction of error or improper behavior. If someone is found to be in a sin, the person discovering the failure should reason with the sinner to invite them to return to freedom. If that counsel is refused, the person should take another person to bear witness to the failure and to invite the sinner to freedom. If the sinner refuses that counsel also, an ekklesia should be called together to rule in the matter, with the authority to declare that the offender be treated like an unbeliever or a traitor (publican).

For a couple of centuries, believers met in homes over meals for fellowship, teaching, ministry and ministry preparation.

A very large number of believers in the earth are currently learning what the difference is between what Jesus said He was building (Matthew 16: “ekklesia”) and what humans have been building since Constantine usurped the King of Heaven and invented the Roman style temple-based worship and Roman style clergy-based government that together became known as “church.”