The document discusses the differences between the terms "church" and "ecclesia" and how using the original Greek term "ecclesia" would change our understanding and practice. It notes that "ecclesia" referred to a political assembly where citizens had a voice, whereas "church" implies a religious building or institution controlled by a lord. Using "ecclesia" instead of "church" would position believers as an assembly with purpose and accountability to preach, teach, and change the world through united mission.

1. Text
The Ecclesia
Bishop H. Ransom Jr.

2. Changing the 'Posture' of
the 'Church'
Life Enrichment Bible Study
New Covenant Church International

3. They Continued .....
Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord
in the temple, and breaking bread from house to
house, did eat their meat with gladness and
singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having
favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the
church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house,
they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

4. The Church
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art
Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and
the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I
will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:
and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be
bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on
earth shall be loosed in heaven.

5. Ecclesia Vs. Church
The King James Version
Translation
Two Words that can
change our posture.

6. Posture
The arrangement of the body and its limbs, way one
carries their body
attitude, position
Mental attitude
Military - capability, personnel - material (to fight a
war)

7. To Dip
To Plunge
To Immerse
KJV -'Transliterated' - baptism
Word changes posture and
practice

8. 'Church'
House of a 'lord'
a plantation
'Ekklesia' -
congregation -or-
assembly

9. When Jesus used the word
church...
Matthew 16:18 - Basis of Action in the World
Matthew 18:17 - Executing Judgement
Kingdom of God (or Heaven) is used 127 times
Paul used ecclesia extensively during his preaching in
the Greek speaking world.
He used it as a political word as opposed to a
religious word. When Paul used this word the people
knew what he meant.

10. Posturing Words ....
King James' Rule # 3. The Old Ecclesiastical Words to
be kept, viz. the Word Church not to be translated
Congregation &c - Dr. Laurence M. Vance - Brief
History KJV
(2) Instead of granting a pure translation to the Greek
verb baptizo which signifies “immerse,” the KJV
translators (and most others since) have sought to
conceal the original meaning of the term in order to
placate those who believe that “sprinkling” and
“pouring” are acceptable substitutes for immersion. -
Professor E.H. Plumptre of Kings College in London
(1881)

11. Acts 15 - An Ecclesia
Acts 15: 1 - 18 - Discussion
19 - 21 - Resolution
22 - 30 - Action
31 - 35 - Results

12. History - The Greek
Ecclesia
All citizens had a voice in government
Assembly 40 times per year
Everyone was required to attend. (ONE CHURCH)
Debates about LAW (democracy)
Acts 19:29-41 (an assembly - non-religious)

13. Hebrew - qahal
assembly
Tabernacle worship (64 times)
Meeting of the Elders (besides worship) (28 times)
Deut. 9:10; 10:4; Neh. 8:5-18, Joel 2:15-16
Judges 20:1 -2; 2 Chron. 30:13, 21, 22

14. Assembly Today
Hebrews 10:25 And let us
consider one another to
provoke unto love and to
good works: 25 Not
forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together, as
the manner of some is;
but exhorting one another:
and so much the more, as
ye see the day
approaching

15. Why Assemble?
Worship
Word (Feeding the inner-man)
Fellowship (sharing - networking)
Accountably
Daily - Acts 2:46; Rom. 14:5

16. 1st Century Ecclesia
Unity
Equality
Mission (Purpose)

17. Mission (s)
Preaching Christ Crucified (Souls)
Teaching Discipleship
Training
World Changing