The Greek word ekklesia is translated “church” in our English Bibles. The word has no overt spiritual meaning. It generally means “assembly” or “meeting”. In Acts 19, Luke uses ekklesia in this general sense to refer to the assembly of Ephesians (19:32, 39, 41). Why then did the NT writers use this term to describe the Lord’s church?

Based on the etymology of the Greek verb kaleo (“to call”), general scholarship understand the NT usage of ekklesia as something akin to “the called out ones”. In the OT, Israel enjoyed favored status as God’s “chosen people”. But the NT bears witness to God’s redemptive activity whereby people of faith from all tribes and nations are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God…” (1 Peter 2:9).

The presence of God infuses the ekklesia with significance and meaning. As a gathering of individuals, the church is much like the word ekklesia, with no overt spiritual connotation. But as a corporate, communal reality, the church images God as a diversity in unity. It is the presence of a relational God moving among His covenant people that imbues ekklesia with purpose. Perhaps “the called out ones” too narrowly defines God’s chosen people. Maybe we should equally emphasize that which we have been called into: an experience of the eternal, communal God through the local ekklesia.

God intends to call out a people for himself. He has always desired community. He wants His people to enjoy relationship with Him. But God also intends for His people to share in relationship with one another. The ekklesia bears witness to God’s intention to His people share life together. May we continue to praise our Triune God, for calling us out of darkness and calling us into sweet communion with Him and with all the saints.