This fact, that the “churches” we see today and the ecclesias of the New Testament are not in any way the same thing, is a truth that very few want to consider for fear that it may rock the boat. "Let sleeping dogs lie" springs to mind unfairly so I take the opposing view and say "Wake up those sleeping giants! The only thing that will cause that awakening is the word of God.
I seriously doubt if any actual objective study of the Greek word ekklesia has ever been made by them. If it were, it would be found that the institutions commonly called “churches” cannot be identified with and have no connection with the ecclesia of the New Testament.
Many who recognize this try to resolve the difficulty by appealing for a distinction between “the visible church” and “an invisible church,” but all who do this must remember that these ideas are foreign to the New Testament. Believers are very visible in this dark world and stand out "like a sore thumb". Their entrance onto a bus or into a cafe or other is noted by spiritual entities: conversations stop, Godly matters are introduced and the normal pattern of ungodly goings on is interrupted for a moment.
My understanding of ecclesia from scripture is that it is a group of people chosen in Christ before the Eons even began, before the down-casting of the earth, called at a particular juncture of time and "graciously granted God-Faith plus the gift of suffering. (Phil 1:29)These are those "He foreknew" of Romans 8:29: They are in no ways the superior but are just God's chosen pilot scheme for what He plans to do later for all:They are no better than anyone else but are graciously gifted with God-Faith at this time.
The Ecclesia, as God sees it, has no visible external structure, no church buildings: nor steeples: No pews nor choirs: They meet on roadsides and villages; in the backs of cars and on trains; in fields or on mountains or in houses or in rented halls or "church" buildings.They are often confused with other nominal groupings who claim the name of Christ!
There is no visible emblem of unity, no special day to meet, no man ordained hierarchy nor structure to boast of (except God's) and no statement of Faith to hang on a wall! (All scripture plus right division!) The "unity of the spirit” binds them together in inseparable spiritual fellowship (not man made forms of unity) whenever or wherever two or three or forty three meet.
We may be sure that, whatever human institution may fail, the ecclesia of God will never fail for it stands on God's Word and it stands sure: “nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knows those that are His” (II Timothy 2:19).
How do you become part of this ecclesia?
The simple answer is "You can't!" No magic prayer will do it; no 4 spiritual laws; no invitation of Christ into the heart; no formula of correct beliefs!No dramatic emotional walking up an aisle to the front!
Real salvation comes directly from God and is encapsulated within a big dose of God-Faith. (Phil 1:29)This God-Faith elicits an automatic response of faith in each recipient: (Romans 1:17.. out of faith for faith) This automatic response is often referred to as "faith in God". Please note it is automatic and elicited and a pattern off all acceptable faith in God and can never be seen as a work of man. Anything not of this pattern of faith is sin. (Rom 14:23)
It is typified in the conversion of Paul who was grabbed and knocked from his horse and immediately cried "Who are you Lord?" all in the space of a few minutes: Its a spiritual transaction that takes place deep within the heart. So I consider all with whom I enjoy unity of the spirit and who call upon the Lord out of a clean heart (2 Tim 2:22) true believers, (until shown otherwise) and I fellowship with each one, person to person on that basis, as my spirit and their's unite.
Imagine for a moment that there is a shop near where you live. The shop is plain dirty and unhygienic and people have been food poisoned in this shop down the years. However the folk working there are kind and loving and sociable. neighbours! You are best of friends with them and talk and fellowship regularly about all things good and positive and true: Babies and football and weather. Still you will be wary of what you buy there as you don't particularly want you or your family poisoned. You have to walk the narrow path between maintaining friendship with them and not catching food poison:
Similarly with churches and denominations: I love the people who go there and yet lament the fact that they are spiritually starving. Lambs that once were drenched in the spirit are now tired and lifeless and intellectually obese!They think even more intellectual conferences or retreats or bible studies will somehow feed the spiritual void but it never does. It never will!
Though we differ in doctrines, yet if they call upon the Lord out of a clean heart, they are, despite the dearth of sound teaching, as much part of the body of Christ as I am. I fellowship with them then, not on disputed matters, but on issues we agree on. However I am reluctant to come under that leadership as I was far too long fed half truths and starved of the wonderful liberty and joy of the gospel of Salvation Of All..
God has gifted the ecclesia with teachers enabled to "rightly cut or divide" the Word: Ask God to enable you search them out and when you find them come in humbly under their leadership and support them financially and otherwise.You need fellowship as never before in these closing years of this "wicked eon" But a word of caution: "Don't leave your brain at the door"
Those so gifted are enabled to open up the scriptures: to encourage all to leave the "baby" things behind and move to maturity in accordance with Ephesians 4:12ff "..toward the adjusting of the saints for the work of dispensing, for the upbuilding of the body of Christ, unto the end that we should all attain to the unity of the faith and of the realization of the son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature of the complement of the Christ"
Today you will find that God still makes available good teaching:"You are a Temple of the Holy spirit" who will lead you into all truth. Every true believer faces a huge dilemma today: A longing for fellowship and a scarcity of sound teachers.What do you do? The Holy Spirit will lead you as He has led me and so many others: But don't be naieve: Observe the way of life of any potential teachers or pastors to insure they are living a "called out" life in accordance with Paul's admonitions in Timothy and Titus.
Each must be led by the spirit as it's an individual walk: As for me I long to come under sound leadership: I do this by meeting regularly with a small group: It's recommended in the bible: Sound leaders must at a minimum believe and understand the gospel:(1 Cor 15:1--3) If they don't have the basics then God has not appointed them:What is that Gospel?
That Christ actually died: Was dead: for 3 days: DEAD! Not away someplace else: That He was entombed, the whole person and not just His body: That God the father roused Him and then he raised {egeiro) his body himself and exited the tomb:
Only 3 verses but it is totally at odds with mainstream christianity today. In fact we can ask, like in Isaiah "Who has believed our report?" Who actually believes the Gospel at all? Frightening!
