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The Difference Between "Church" and "Churches," Part 1

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The Greek word “ekklesia” in the New Testament
  • Israel in the wilderness (Acts 7:38)
  • Riotous mob (Acts 19:32, 40-41)
  • Legal court (Acts 19:38-39)
  • Here’s the first place we find it in the New Testament: Matthew 16:18
    • “I will build my church” (singular)
    • Matthew 4:4; Ephesians 1:22-23
    • Here’s the last place we find it: Revelation 22:16
      • “the churches” (plural)
      • Acts 15:41
      • Romans 16:16
        • Salvation
        “church”
        • Membership is equivalent to salvation
        • Ephesians 5:23-29
        • Hebrews 12:22-24
        • Matthew 16:13-20
          • “churches”
          • Members are not necessarily saved (I Corinthians 5), and the saved are not necessarily members.
          • Acts 8:38-39 – The eunuch was not a member of any local church (yet), but he was in a saved relationship with God.
          • Revelation 1:9
            • Important note
            • The universal church is not composed of local churches. It’s composed of individual Christians.
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              ScriptureStreamBy Mark Watson
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