In English, the letters ‘ch’ are almost unique in being pronounced as in ‘chair’. In most other languages when they exist, they are pronounced as a k. Small wonder that we know of a word spelt k-i-r-k that is used as an alternative for ch-u-r-ch. The ancient Greek also knows of a similar word k-u-r-i-a-k-o-s. Virtually all the Germanic languages follow the ‘kirk’ linguistic line, whereas the Latin-based languages follow the ‘ekklesia’ linguistic line. Why is that? Greek, however, knows two words – kuriakos and ekklesia. Never – and I repeat never – did the writers of the New Testament use the kuriakos (‘kirk’) word when speaking of the New Covenant people of God – post Jesus. Is it not strange that we do – and continue to do so despite one of our most treasured and famed bible translators being murdered for this very thing? Kuriakos literally means ‘the Lord’s’ (as in belonging to the Lord). Ekklesia is a word specifically chosen by Jesus and the New Testament disciples to refer not just to the people of God generally, but to how they came into being and how they are to live their corporate life.
Church (kirk/kuriakos) is connected all the
way back to Israel and Jewry before Jesus and is quite evident in the Old
Testament and in the life and work of the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’
day. Israel is sometimes referred to as the
Lord’s special ‘possession’ – Exodus 19:5; Malachi 3:17; Isaiah 19:25; Jeremiah
12:7; Joel 3:2 for example. Israel’s
temple, as the Old Covenant’s dwelling place for God, would, in Greek, be kuriakos doma – the Lord’s House. It is interesting to say the least that this
expression – the Lord’s House – is not used in the New Testament as the means
of identifying the New Covenant people of God.
The word that the New Testament uses is ekklesia – a different word
altogether, and a different concept from that of the Old Testament in relation
to Israel.
Ecclesia (ekklesia) is connected all the way
back to Jesus and is quite evident in the congregations pioneered by Paul and
some who followed him. The choice of
this word for the New Covenant description of the people of God is, I believe,
deliberate – and creates a watershed in history. Ekklesia is not a re-branded, revised
continuation of the kuriakos of Israel, but a whole new thing. Paul addresses this specifically, I believe,
when he outlines his understanding of his God-given commission in Ephesians
3:1-11. The life, death, resurrection and
ascension of Jesus and the sending of the Holy Spirit to be in (as distinct from upon) His people ushered in a totally
new ‘administration of the realm’ and central to that new administration is the
ekklesia. It is neither an extension nor
a continuation of the kuriakos of the Old; it is the New
Both kuriakos and ekkleisa – separately –
have, I believe, not simply a connection from the present to the past, but also
a distinct line of DNA: one to old Israel, the other to Jesus, his disciples
and the apostle Paul. Perhaps it is
helpful to see them as two separate and distinct species, not varieties of the
same species: like, for instance, a dog and a fish, not two varieties of dog.
But as with dogs and fish, there is no life-connection between kuriakos and ekklesia. The only connection that exists is, on the one hand, that they are both populated by humans – sometimes the same humans – and, on the other hand, that God knows about both and has them both in His purview - thankfully!
Tyndale died making the point that the 'church' as he knew it (and as we know it) is not the ecclesia of God. They are two different and separate things each with own distinct DNA. One is built and fit for eternity, the other is not. One is built, headed and led by God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The other is built, headed and led by humans.
And Tyndale died praying, "Lord open the King of England's eyes!" We know that, 150 years later when the new King (James I) decided to authorise an English bible, his eyes had not been opened: one of his specific instructions to the translation team (Rule #3 of 15) was that "The old ecclesiastical words to be kept, viz.: as the word ‘Church’ not to be translated ‘Congregation’ etc."
To the present day, the official line is that what we call 'the church' is the ecclesia of God - neve mind what God says - and never mind what the bible says!
Cheers,
Kevin.
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