What Is the Church? — More on Matthew 16:18 & “Ekklesia” | Local vs. Universal | 09.09.25 Tues PM

Join Brother Ross for a clear, verse-by-verse study of Matthew 16:18 as he asks the urgent question: What does “church” (Greek ekklesia) actually mean in Scripture? This teaching walks through the Gospels, Acts, Romans, Corinthians and Ephesians to show how the New Testament uses the word — and why that matters for how we view the local congregation, Roman Catholic and Protestant claims about a “universal” church, and the whole life of the believer.

In this message you’ll get:

A plain-English word study of ekklesia (assembly / congregation) and why the Bible most often depicts the church as local & visible.

Exegesis of Matthew 16:18 (Peter/the rock) and why Christ — not Peter — is the church’s foundation.

Comparison of three historical views: Roman Catholic (universal visible), state-church Protestant (universal invisible), and Anabaptist/Baptist (local, visible) — with historical context (Ignatius, early writings) and textual critique.

Careful handling of key Ephesians passages (Eph. 1, 3, 5) that are often cited in the debate.

Practical application: why the local church matters, how cultural assumptions can distort interpretation, and how this teaching affects worship, membership, and Christian responsibility.

Perfect for Bible students, pastors, church members, and anyone wrestling with church identity. Expect solid exegesis, historical background, and pastoral application that will help you think biblically about the church and value the local assembly the way Scripture does.

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