Here’s a question. Matthew 18:15-17 gives an outline for confronting someone in sin. The third step is to take it to the church. But at that time there was no church. Not a huge issue but it puzzles me. Thoughts?
Discussion
14 comments
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There was a “church” in the most pure sense. A church, (Greek: eklessia) is a group of believers who are “called out” (eklessia) by God.
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The Greek word used is ekklesia. It simply means an assembling or gathering of people to a place. In the Bible it’s used with regards to the Jewish and Christian gatherings. At that time, Jesus would be referring to the gathering of believers within the synagogues.
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The church is the local collection of believers and that did exist, right from the beginning.
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The text was written after the church was in place
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This is within the church, a Christian who has continued in a sin, this is not for someone who has never accepted Jesus
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It’s always difficult to confront someone,the few sincere one will accept but the majority?????
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There was a church, there were hundreds. They were house churches.
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Martha Thompson the word used for church In the Greek is “ekklēsia“ depending on its context it can mean a Jewish synagogue, a church of Christian saints on earth, or the saints who have went to heaven.
In this case, church was clearly referencing the Jewish synagogue.
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Who started the church of the New Testament?
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The church means any body meeting to study/praise Christ.
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Ekklesia : governing body. Called out ones.
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There was a Presbyterian style church right from the beginning. If there wasn’t, this verse would make no sense.
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Jesus ministry begins in Matthew 4, so from that time on He was teaching, assembling disciples and healing people. As a result, by chapter 18, there were already people who had trusted Him for salvation. These people were the church. The Greek defines ‘church’ as ‘a calling out, a popular meeting, especially of religious congregation (Jewish synagogue or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both) assembly. 1577 in Strong’s concordance.
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus made His famous statement, “Upon this rock I will build my church.” This is the very first reference to the church I can find in the NT. The first in the book of Acts is 2:47 and it says that souls were added to the church.
Thanks, so much, for your intriguing question! I learned a great deal from finding the answer.
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