A Brief Look in Contrast: ekklesia, church

provided in memory of so many strayed, befuddled, sorrowed in their sojourn with institutional church and/or transitional small/home group churches.

                          ekklesia  |  church                          
 |
Torah: prescribed path  |  Law
 |
Scriptures: sacred writings  |  Canon of Scripture and/or the logos
 |
interpretation established: full consensus (global-historic; in heaven, on earth)  |  by church leaders and/or with creed(s)
 |
to persuade a man: Spirit of Christ  |  influence
 |
judicial process: of inquiry  |  adversarial*
 |
preferences: abandoned/denied  |  organized sectarian*
 |
membership: single/one body of Christ  |  local; with attendance and/or performance*
 |
repentance: complete  |  from sins or not requisite
 |
salvation: work of God marked by transformation with testimony  |  divine election, upon baptism, with completed catechism and/or upon request
 |
memorial/eucharist: partaking in the body of Christ  |  transubstantial or symbolic
 |
water baptism: concordant with inquiring of God for a clean/clear consciousness
[I Peter 3:20-21]
  |
|
  directly salvific or symbolic
 |
in the Presence of God: perpetual  |
|
  enter into His presence
[reflecting Old Testament Temple norms.]
 |
discipline for members: toward reconciliation, maturation  |  as a guard for the people*
 |
primary assembly: ekklesia. administrative
see below: exampling ekklesia's administrative function
  |
|
  weekly call to worship
[reflecting old testament Temple norms.]
 |
joint participation: open, with option to remain silent.  |  those approved to speak or do
 |
opinion: rarely offered [as Paul's manner]  |  standard in communications*
 |
partners: none other  |  parachurch groups; social-service organizations, schools, etc.
 |
provisioning: grace/resource of God in Christ  |  advertised and/or solicited of men
 |
organizational structure: God in Christ, everyone else  |  hierarchal pyramid forms*
 |
broad intent: to the glory of God  |  to the happiness of man*
 |

* roughly conforms to guide of the current world system.    




exampling ekklesia's administrative function…
“Now may The God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ … having become of one mind … and day by day continuing with one mind
Matthew 18:15-20 petition, hearing, binding
Acts 4:23-31 addressing persecution
Acts 6:1-6 justice
Acts 8:14-17 sending to Samaria
Acts 11:1-18 considering Simon's vision
Acts 11:19-24 Barnabas To Antioch
Acts 11:27-30 prophets, famine
Acts 12:5 prayer for Peter
Acts 13:1-3 sending Saul & Barnabas
Acts 14:23 committing these to the Lord
Acts 14:27-28 good report
Acts 15 inquiry, good reports, letter of resolution
Acts 17:10-15 quickly on to Berea
Acts 20:7-10 Paul contends
Acts 21:4 Paul is cautioned
Acts 21:15-25 recounting the work of God
Romans 16:1-16 conferring greetings
I Corinthians 5:1-8 extending discipline toward reconciliation
II Corinthians 2:1-11 restoration
Ephesians 3:9-10 wisdom, administration
Colossians 4:15-16 greetings, conferring communications
I Timothy 5:16 availing/relieving true widows
III John 1:6 hearing, sending forward
Revelation 2:2-3 examining apostles (those sent)