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Saint Kitts and Nevis
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 Posted - 25 Oct 2001 : 04:17:02
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The word 'church' in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word 'ekklesia' which comes from two words 'ek' meaning 'out' and 'kaleo' meaning to 'call.'
An ekklesia or 'calling out' was not just an assembly. The words agora and paneguris as well as heorte, koinon, thiasos, sunagoge and sunago can all mean an assembly.
The word ekklesia was a political term, not a religious term. Jesus was the King and the Bible used the term ekklesia for a good reason. In classical Greek "ekklesia" meant "an assembly of citizens summoned by the crier, the legislative assembly." In Israel the legislative assembly was originally composed of the elders of each family group.
Since, the authority of State in Israel was originally in the hands of the elders of the families, who were the princes of Israel, they did not usually gather together to overthrow the corruption of government since they were the government. But once they sought a king who appointed officers over them the need for an ekklesia steadily grew.
When the Greek city states found their governments had become too corrupt and oppressive, they would call for an ekklesia, an assembly outside the civil authority of the city. If enough people came out and refused to be under the civil authority, that government would collapse. Like Ghandi's strikes, marches for civil rights, Jesus' procession into Jerusalem the call for the people to stand against a corrupt oppressive government can be a powerful and non violent force to change the course of History.
The word Church was a poor choice in place of the Greek ekklesia but what men often mean unto evil God turns to good. The word Church which has its origin in lordship has come to mean exactly what Jesus intended from a certain point of view. This may not be so in the average dictionary or in the minds of most people but its evolved definition where it counts is strangely accurate.
The ekklesia of Jesus Christ was founded and established by Jesus Christ almost 2000 years ago. It was a government established by Jesus the Christ, Yahshua, the anointed King and appointed to look after His Kingdom. Jesus was recognized by the existing civil government, Pontius Pilate. Jesus and His ekklesia, the called out, were persecuted by the apostate church of that day, the usurping authority of the remnant of Israel. He was killed and rose again and is living upon His throne.
Are we turning away from God's ways and back to the sin of Cain?
The good news of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth was spread from Pentecost till now, and His ekklesia is still persecuted to this day. Its chief executive officer is the Holy Spirit, its King is Jesus and its Ruling Judge is YHWH, God. YaHWeH has given all power and authority to Jesus, Yahshua, who in turn has sent us the Holy Spirit to comfort us in our persecution.
Salvation is not about spelling but knowing the Name of Jesus/Yashua. Salvation is about putting on the Character of the Father like the Son. It is self-sacrifice, service and obedience that we must get right.
The CHURCH
What is not the CHURCH?
There are a lot of things the Church is not but at least: It is not established by anyone but Jesus. It is not to hold lordship of one over the other. It is not to lead men into bondage nor appoint kings or officers over men. It is not to go under the authority of others. It is not to apply to others for gifts, gratuities and benefits. The Church is neither father, master nor king but it is servant to all in the perfect law of liberty.
What is the CHURCH? Who can define it?
CHURCH In its most general sense, the religious society founded and established by Jesus Christ, to receive, preserve, and propagate his doctrines and ordinances.
A body or community of Christians, united under one form of government by the profession of one faith, and the observance of the same rituals and ceremonies. Black's Law Dictionary 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th eds.
How do we get into this government of Jesus Christ, this kingdom of Heaven on Earth? Must we die to get into the Kingdom of Heaven?
"He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err." (Mark 12:27)
What and where is the key to the Kingdom of Heaven?
"And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art a rock, and upon this rock I will build my ekklesia (make my coming out); and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:17-19)
What is the form of His government? How does Heaven run its government, its ekklesia, here on earth?
"But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28)
Are you in a government which exercises dominion over you? If you are, then you are not in a government established by Jesus the Christ and the form of your government is not Christian.
Let every man remain subject to his superior authority; but should you go under authority in exchange for benefits and gratuities?
"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body [is] not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make [them] the members of an harlot? God forbid." (1 Corinthians 6:12-14)
Have you sold the sweat of your brow and gone under the authority and power of another?
Have you sold your land in exchange for gifts and benefits?
"Behold, we [are] servants this day, and [for] the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we [are] servants in it:" Nehemiah 9:36
"And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it." Nehemiah 9:38
Have we taken the mark of the beast?
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:12-18)
From http://presys.com/~ekklesia/welcome.html
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