The Church of Jesus Christ: Ekklesia word study part 7: Hebrews-Revelation & NT Body, Temple, Bride

Brother Ross completes the exhaustive NT word study on ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia) – every use from the Gospels through Revelation!

“In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.” (Heb 2:12)

🔥 Final Review: What is ἐκκλησία?

Assembly / Congregation → called-out to gather (local + visible).

Never “called-out ones floating invisibly.”

KJV examples where it is not CHRIST's church: Acts 19:32, 39, 41 → “assembly” (pagan mob).

LXX (Greek OT): Always assembled gathering (e.g., Israel in wilderness, Acts 7:38).

Roman Catholic View: Universal Visible hierarchy (Pope ↓ laity = "church")
State Church Protestant View: Universal & Invisible (all believers = "church").
Biblical/Baptist View: Local + Visible assemblies are "churches" & What is Universal/Invisible = Family of God (not “church”).

🛡️ Two (Three) Biblical Usages:

Specific Congregation (most common):

Church in Jerusalem, Ephesus, Laodicea, etc.

Generic Noun (true for any true church):

“Christ is head of the church” = head of each local assembly (Eph 5:23).

Future Assembly (only Heb 12:23):

“General assembly & church of the firstborn” → all redeemed in New Jerusalem (post-trib, post-millennium).

📖 Verse-by-Verse: Hebrews → Revelation

Heb 2:12 (Psalm 22:22): Christ sings in the midst of the church →

Primary: Pre-Pentecost assembly (Matt 26:30; Mark 14:26 – hymn after Lord’s Supper).
Secondary application: Christ’s special presence in every true church today (generic).

Heb 12:23 – ONLY future universal use:

“Church of the firstborn” = all believers assembled in heavenly Jerusalem (eternal state).
Includes: OT saints, tribulation saints, nursing-home believers who never joined.

NOT current – salvation ≠ church membership.

James 5:14 – Sick? Call elders of the church →

Generic: The local church the sick person belongs to.
Medicinal anointing (oil = 1st-century antiseptic).

3 John 6 – Charity witnessed before the church → local assembly (specific).

3 John 9–10 – Diotrephes:

“I wrote unto the church” → specific (his church).
Casts out brethren → abuses authority (Matt 18: congregation decides).

Revelation (19 uses!):

Revelation 1:4, 11, 20: Seven churches in Asia

Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14: Church in [city].

Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22: What the Spirit saith unto the churches

Revelation 22:16: Christ testifies these things in the churches

⏰ Timestamps:

00:00 – Ekklēsia = visible assembly (you can see them!)
00:37 – Review: All prior refs (Gospels → most epistles)
01:18 – Hebrews 2:12 + Prayer
02:03 – Catholic vs. Biblical views
04:19 – Two usages: Specific vs. Generic
06:40 – Heb 2:12: Pre-Pentecost + generic presence
09:38 – LXX: Never unassembled Israel
11:50 – Heb 12:23: Future universal assembly in New Jerusalem
17:43 – Future church = post-trib, post-millennium
19:54 – James 5:14: Elders + medicinal oil
23:21 – 3 John 6,9–10: Diotrephes’ local abuse
28:42 – Revelation: 7 literal cities in Turkey
35:03 – Laodicea: Christ outside their church!
37:11 – All 115 uses reviewed → No current universal church

38:16 – Metaphors confirm the church is local/visible:

Body (1 Cor 12) → One head, one local body.
Temple (Eph 2:21) → Solomon’s temple was local.
Bride (Eph 5) → Husbands see a visible and local bride walking down the aisle!
40:26 – Future bride = New Jerusalem (Rev 21–22)
43:28 – Closing: Church = local + visible NOW; Future assembly = glorious!
43:48 – Prayer

💡 Key Takeaways:

No unambiguous universal church NOW – burden of proof failed.
Future assembly (Heb 12:23) = all believers in New Jerusalem (exciting!).
Metaphors crush universalism: Body, temple, bride = local + visible.
Missing church membership? Still saved, but missing blessings (like Gentile never visiting temple).
Diotrephes warning: Bad pastors exist – know your Bible!

📖 Series Finale (8/8) Next Week: Practical implications of local church doctrine!
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