Introduction

The Greek word generally translated as “church” is ekklēsia, which means “a calling out” and then what is called out – “assembly,” “congregation,” or “community” In Greek society the word was used of regularly convened assemblies or town meetings. In the LXX ekklēsia is used to translate Hebrew words with the same meaning.

There is a difference of opinion and general uncertainty about the origin of the name “church” The position of the Roman Catholic Church is that it goes back to the time of Jesus and that Peter was its foundation (see Matthew 16:13–19). Since ekklēsia is a Greek term, it may have originated after the Christ movement came to include Greek-speaking Gentiles. First used by Paul, no other name for members of the Christ movement has endured as long as “church.” Referring to both particular communities of Christians and to a universal group, the church today is a much more formalized and highly organized institution than in the NT.

Understanding Church and Churches in Paul

Paul's Use of Church

Paul uses “church” in three ways. The first refers to a local group or groups of converts, for example, “the church of God that is in Corinth” (1 Corinthians 1:1) and “the churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2). Paul's second use of “church” is for converts everywhere as a body, for example, Paul was “persecuting the church of God and was trying to destroy it” (Galatians 1:13).