The Ekklesia: Bridging the Gap Between Israel and the Church
Amid the theological intricacies of defining the relationship between Israel and the Church, the concept of the "ekklesia" emerges as a vital link that binds these seemingly distinct entities. Does the term "Church" in the New Testament truly differ from God's Israel, or are they intertwined more profoundly than we may initially perceive?
Matt 16:18-19
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
Matthew 16:18-19 resonates with Jesus' emphasis on the kingdom of heaven and its entrants – those who make up Israel. This connection between Israel and the Church becomes even clearer when examining the term "ekklesia." Often translated as "Church," it holds a more profound meaning as an "assembly." However, this English interpretation masks the historical and linguistic ties this word has to Israel's narrative.
Acts 7:38
38 This is he who was in the congregation (ekklesia) in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us,
Acts 7:38 introduces a revelatory perspective. Stephen refers to Israel as the "ekklesia" or assembly. This very term also appears in the Septuagint (LXX), a translation predating Jesus, where it distinctly signifies Israel. Notably, 1 Chronicles 13:2 in the LXX employs "ekklesia" for Israel, paralleling the New Testament's use of "church." This underlines that the Church and the Israel of God, into which Gentile believers are engrafted, are inherently unified, transcending ethnic distinctions.
The "ekklesia" concept as a continuation of the Old Testament congregation accentuates its significance. The term, rooted in the Septuagint well before Jesus' era, inherently denotes Israel's assembly. Its application to Jesus' followers holds profound weight, reinforcing their alignment with Israel. This bond between Jesus' followers and God's Israel is further echoed in Revelation 21:12. The imagery of 12 gates, symbolizing Israel's tribes, devoid of a distinct "Church" gate underscores that the "ekklesia" is Israel itself. Gentile believers' engrafting underscores this union, affirming Israel and the Church's seamless identity. Just as in the days of the Exodus, Israel is defined by a purposeful choice of engrafting, surpassing mere lineage to encompass spiritual devotion.
Ultimately, the term "ekklesia" bridges the gap between Israel and the Church, revealing a unity that has been present since ancient times. It underscores that God's chosen people, whether of Jewish or Gentile origin, form an interconnected tapestry, woven through faith, engrafting, and an unwavering devotion to God's divine plan.