On Sunday, we examined Matthew 18:15-20 and how we help those who are spiritually unhealthy. In the teaching notes I supplied the following question: Why does the passage, twice in the same verse, reference the “church”(v.17) when the church did not exist until Pentecost (Acts 2)?
In order to get the answer, let’s walk through some historical info. regarding the way Jewish people in Christ’s day organized their social and spiritual interaction. If you just want the quick answer, skip to the bottom of the blog.
During the life of Christ the social structure revolved around the synagogue. The synagogue (Gr. “Place of Assembly”) was the local place of religious teaching, worship, and social interaction with those who shared the common faith. Synagogues probably came into existence after the Jewish people had been taken by the Persians (i.e. modern day Iran and Iraq) from their homeland to Babylon in 586 B.C. Devout Jews, desiring to have regular times of teaching with other Jews, created meeting places that would help them maintain their unique identity as the people of God.
After returning to Israel, the value of the synagogue continued in order for people to gather even though the Temple had been rebuilt. The first synagogue was generally built on the highest plot of land in a city and the front doors would face Jerusalem. It would be under the supervision of a body of elders from the city. Depending on the size of the city, there could be numerous synagogues (at one point Jerusalem was said to have over 400 local synagogues). The most important piece of furniture in the synagogue was the chest called the “ark,” in which the sacred scrolls of the Old Testament Law and Prophets remained. A man among the local assembly would be designated as the “ruler” (see Luke 8:41; Acts 18:8,17) and would be responsible for maintaining order in the service, selecting who would read Scripture, and general participation in the service (see Luke 13:14 as an example of Jesus violating a ruler’s order of service).
In addition to the ruler, there was also an “attendant.” The attendant would bring the scrolls from the ark to the reader and replace them when the reading was finished. The attendant would also blow the trumpet three times at sunset on Friday evening, to announce the start of the Sabbath, and he would flog criminals who had been condemned by the elder council (Matt. 10:17; 12:34; Acts 5:40).
Answer:
In this passage, Jesus uses the word “ekklesia”– the word translated today for “church” to elevate the group gathering to a new status – a group who gather in His name. The word “church” is supplied in this passage since it fits the general form of the definition of what a church is meant to be – a gathering in Jesus name or in allegiance to Him. Also, the more common word used for a synagogue was “sunagoge.” Jesus always used this word when discussing the synagogue, but Jesus chose “ekklesia,” seemingly, to create a distinction.
Therefore, although the “church” was “officially” started at Pentecost, it can be said to have really been formed with the disciples gathering under the authority of Jesus in alignment with His will for their lives. Church discipline would be a perfect time to Jesus to stress allegiance to His will and work since exercising this type of care (“helping the unhealthy”) would be done under His authority and approval. Difficult? Yes. A clear expression of His will? Absolutly. The result? Trusting God more than our emotions in that His truth, applied His way, leads to His fame being spread even though it is tough.
Dan-
Doesn’t the work ekklesia also mean “called out?” If so, this would refer to the elect, of whom the disciples were certainly part. And that would also help explain Jesus’ use of it prior to the formation of the church at petacost since the elect have been known since time immemorial (by God, of course).
In that case, what about Judas? He was a disciple…
Pat,
The word “ekklesia” is a compound word made up of “ek” (“out of”) and klesis (“a calling”). In the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) the word was used of a “gathering” of Israel, summoned for any definite purpose, or a “gathering” regarded as representative of the whole nation. Jesus used it in reference to this idea, but it holds greater force seeing that He is the basis for the church meeting now – He is the Messiah (Matt. 16). We can’t make the definition too tight though. It is what it is and fits the general meaning of the time. The passage is not so specific as to move in to the area of sovereignty.
Jeffrey,
I think this is an example of going “off-point.” The idea of the translation usage is simple an expression of the word, not a tight, definitive argument for when the church started or who is in the church. True, Judas was a disciple, but he was not a “believer” as we would consider it. He fundementally trusted in himself, which is a definition of a person lost in sin. We have to be careful to not begin to weight down the passage with related material that strays from the immediate context.
Make sense?
Of course. I agree with you, I was just seeing how tight of a translation Pat was trying to pin down here. I concur that this passage neither defines “church” nor delineates its membership.