As we begin this new series on the New Testament Church, the question that we are going to explore first is—what is the church?

The English word church is translated from the Greek word ekklesia, which is from ek, “out of” and klesis “a calling” Ekklesia literally means “the called out” and refers to any group of people called out from a larger group. In Acts 19:39, ekklesia is translated as “assembly” and refers to a group of people called out by their government to make civic judgments. This group was assembled with a specific task to accomplish—to make judgements on issues brought to them by other citizens. So, they were an ekklesia or a church. “But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly (ekklesia)” (Acts 19:39).

The church is the same concept; in Matthew 16:18, Jesus said He would build His called-out people or church. “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church (ekklesian)” (Matt. 16:18a). The usage of ekklesian (a form of ekklesia) here demonstrates how Jesus was going to build His church; He was going to call them out from the world (the larger group) to Himself (the smaller group).

Jesus affirmed this in His teachings: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). This suggests that if we want to come to Jesus, we must fi rst come out of the world. In this verse, Jesus is laying the foundation for His church and beginning the building process by calling His people out. Jesus also said, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). The word “sanctify” means to be set apart and shows that the follower of Christ is to come out of world and be separate. “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord” (2 Cor. 6:17). The word “come” in Matthew 11:28 and 2 Corinthians 6:17 indicates our responsibility to the building process, and the word “sanctify” indicates God’s responsibility. The individual responds to the call, and then the Lord adds him or her to the church by sanctification (setting them apart by His word) (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 3:6-9). The word church in Acts 2:47 is also from the word ekklesia and specifi es that the saved are being added to His called out.

To truly understand what the church is, we must understand how to become a part of the ekklesia. Jesus instructed the people to come to Him, take His yoke, and learn from Him (Matt. 11:28-29). To learn from Him is to become His disciple. What are the people coming to Him to learn? Jesus taught that one must be baptized to be His disciple. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 28:19). The word “baptizing” refers to how one makes a disciple. When people are baptized, they are called out of the world and saved; at the same time, the Lord adds them to the ekklesia (church).

What is the church? The church is those who are called out from the world by Jesus (Matt. 11:28-30), who have gladly received His word (Acts 2:41) and have responded to the gospel in obedience by being baptized (Rom. 6:1-17). Thus, they are saved from their sins (Acts 2:38) and added to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:47). “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16a).

The church is the saved! Just something to con-