What Does Ecclesiology Mean?

Have you heard of the word ecclesiology?  Do you know what it means?  Why do we need to know?

Meaning of the Word Ecclesiology

Ecclesiology is the study of the Christian church or the doctrinal beliefs of the church but that is not all.   Another, less important definition might be that of the church’s adornment or architecture but for our purposes here, I want to focus on the primary meaning of the word ecclesiology and why it’s important.  And I want to see why biblical scholars see the importance of the church’s doctrinal beliefs and how these beliefs frame the theology of the church and study the applications and implications that relate to the Body of Christ, the church.  This included the church government, the structure, the order, the hierarchy, and the practices of the church.

The Called Out Ones

The root of the word or transliteration of the word ecclesiology is “ekklēsia” which means “a gathering of citizens” or “called out ones” and in this case, the called out citizens of the kingdom of God.  In either case, it is an assembly or council for the purpose of deliberating something in particular. In the church, this assembly or gathering of the “called out ones” is the whole body of Christians who are scattered throughout the world.  Jesus commanded the disciples and He commands believers today to go into all the world “and make disciples of all nations teaching them to observe all” that Jesus commanded them (Matt 28:19-20).  This command is what we call an imperative command a direct order which must be obeyed.

Why Study Ecclesiology?

The word “ecclesiology” is a combination of the words “ology” (a study of) and “ekklēsia” (called out ones), therefore the word means a study of the called out ones, the assembly of believers or the universal church.  Ecclesiology however is better defined to mean the study of the doctrinal beliefs and the nature of the Body of Christ, the church.  The church uses as its foundation the teachings of the Bible, especially focusing on the essentials like Jesus’ virgin birth, Jesus’ hypostasis (union) in being both Man and God, the sinlessness of Christ, His sacrificing His life for those who believe in Him which satisfied the wrath of God, and by His death, burial, and resurrection assuring those who have repented and trusted in Him the promise of eternal life.  Those who have repented (turned away from their sins) and placed their faith in Christ are united in Him by the Spirit of God.  When the church is mentioned the literal Greek word “ekklēsia” is used 144 times in the New Testament  like in Colossians 1:18 “And he is the head of the body, the church (ekklēsia) who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”

The Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes

The Book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament is part of the wisdom literature of the Bible.  Ecclesiastes is a Latinized form from the Septuagint and is similar to the Greek term for “one who assembles,” from the root “to call out.”  In this case, King Solomon is writing to the assembly of the nation of Israel.   Many view this book as a pessimistic book but the conclusion is close to what the New Testament church believed that the fear (holy, reverential respect) of the Lord is the very beginning and end of wisdom.  The “wisdom” of the literature in the Bible is to fear God and not man and obey Him and that a right fear puts man in the correct perspective before God.  Those who live a sinful life and have willingly refused to believe in Him have every reason to fear Him because as Jesus said “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt 10:28) which is why Jesus said “everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matt 10:32-33).  Sadly, many will not have this fear of the Lord until it is too late when “the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.  Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.  And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev 20:12b-15).

Conclusion

God is not looking for fearful converts but tearful converts who are humbled and broken over their sin.  Fear is a good thing because it keeps us safe.  It prevents us from doing things that could harm or kill us but in the case of the righteousness of God, the Bible-believing church teaches that “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:5) and frequently warns the unbelieving that “unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins” (John 8:24).  There is still time to repent and trust in Christ and today there is still time to be saved but you must do it today, while it’s still called today (2 Cor 6:2) because if you delay or make no decision, you have decided already to reject your only hope of salvation (Acts 4:12).  Right now, there are “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth [but they] will awake [someday]; some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt” (Dan 12:2).  I pray that is not you.

Another Reading on Patheos to Check Out: What Did Jesus Really Look Like: A Look at the Bible Facts

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book  Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon