This document discusses the origins and evolution of the church. It notes that in the Bible, the Greek word "ekklesia" referred to a gathering or movement of people called by God for a purpose, not a physical building. However, after Constantine in AD 313, the concept of "church" became more associated with a physical location or building called a "kirche." The document suggests we can learn from history that the church is meant to be a purposeful gathering of believers, not defined or limited by physical structures.

1. FORWARD MOVEMENT

2. 15 "But what about you?" he asked.
"Who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter
answered, "You are the Christ, the Son
of the living God." 17 Jesus replied,
"Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah,
for this was not revealed to you by
man, but by my Father in heaven. 18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on
this rock I will build my church, and the
gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Matthew 16:15-18 (NIV)

3. ‘An EKKLESIA was simply a
gathering or assembly of people
called out for a specific purpose.
EKKLESIA never referred to a
specific place, only a specific
gathering. It was a MOVEMENT. In
both secular & sacred literature,
EKKLESIA always referred to a
gathering of people, united by a
common identity and purpose”
Ekklesia

4. JUMP AHEAD 250 YRS
AD 313 – CONSTANTINE

5. A KIRCHE is a location. An
EKKLESIA is a purposeful
gathering of people.
You can lock the doors of a
KIRCHE. You cannot lock the
doors of the EKKLESIA of Jesus.

6. Reformation

7. Can we learn from
history?

8. Shiphrah and Puah—two midwives defied
Pharoah
Bezaleel—architect who God gave the job of a
lifetime.
Ehud—used by God for no better reason than
he was left-handed and available.
Shamgar—though mentioned only once in
Scripture, he saved Israel in a battle with the
Philistines

9. Asa—a son of godless parents who
became a godly king.
Tychicus—a courier who delivered holy
telegrams.
Asahel—a fleet-footed sprinter with a
heart for his king.
Hushai—a covert counselor for David who
successfully infiltrated enemy ranks.