Questions tagged [ecclesiology]
Ecclesiology is the study of the nature and structure of the church and its leadership. This tag is for questions about the 'church', its leadership, practices or role in salvation.
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Presuming Inerrancy, How Are Female Preachers Authorized to Speak in Church? - 1 Corinthians 14:34 [migrated]
Women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to
speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says.
Many churches these days feature female pastors, preachers and teachers. ...
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1 John 1:7—Does "fellowship with one another" require walking in the light?
1 John 1:7 reads (NKJV, emphasis added):
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
I've ...
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Ephesians 4:12 Is building up the body of Christ a job for the apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers or for the saints at large?
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to ...
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Ephesians 1:22 Language a reference to marriage?
Ephesians 1:22-23
And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Is this language of God giving ...
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Was Jesus' early church composed primarily of Torah-abiding Jews?
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. If he refuses to listen to the church, treat him like a Gentile or a tax collector. Mattews. 18:17 KJV
How to understand the word ἐκκλησίας in ...
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Any patristic sources on 1 Timothy 2:11-12 that address whether the context is the church?
1 Timothy 2:11-12 has been variously understood. One view I recently heard is that it teaches women to be silent not only in church, as is the case in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, but also in secular ...
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What word is used as 'called out ones'? [closed]
I've heard in times in the past that Christians were thought of, or called at one period of time or another, the 'called out ones' as being separated from the world. Is there anything that would ...
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Does 1 Corinthians 5:3-5 imply that Paul believed salvation is possible for a sinner after he dies?
When you are assembled, and my spirit is present with the power of
our Lord Jesus, you are to hand this man over to Satan for the
destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day
...
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What's the purpose of fasting and prayer in Acts 14:23?
Acts 14:21-23 reads (NKJV, emphasis mine):
And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the ...
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What do Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:18 mean with respect to his Church never being defeated by the powers of hell?
Jesus said, "I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" - Matthew 16:18 KJV.
I’m not so concerned with whether the English translation should better state ‘...
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The Whole Church?
Acts 5:11 (ESV):
And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
Acts 15:22 (ESV):
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to ...
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What is the correct word for TEMPLE in koine Greek? [duplicate]
I am currently doing research into the correct understanding between the two Greek words that seem to always be somewhat confused when it comes to translating the words - Temple and Sancruary.
My ...
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The Meaning of Church in Greek and the Difference from Old Testment
I want to know if truly Jesus went to found a church or there was a church that there existed, and if there is more of one definition of it. I'd like also the original versions in hebrew and greek of ...
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Why is there no mention of “the church” in Revelation after the first three chapters?
In studying eschatology, I haven’t found a sufficient solution to the long absence of any mention of Christ’s church after the letters to the churches in the first three chapters. Specifically, during ...
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What are the differences between the offices of apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd/pastor and teacher? Ephesians 4:11-12
Ephesians 4:11-12:
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [ESV]
...
user38524
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Acts 4:34: Did Christians sell property 'from time to time'?
Acts 4:34 in the NIV says:
that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time
those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the
sales
While NRSV, ESV, KJV, LEB say ...
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Is there any justification in translating the Greek word ‘ekklesia’ in Matthew 16:18 as "church"? [duplicate]
“Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church (ekklesia).”
I understand the Greek word ‘ekklesia’ is translated as “church” in English, together with the Scottish word “kirk”. I have ...
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Is the church at the time of the book of James meeting in synagogues?
In James 2:2 (YTL)
for if there may come into your synagogue a man with gold ring, in gay raiment, and there may come in also a poor man in vile raiment,
or in ASV
For if there come into your ...
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Did Paul prohibit a woman from being an elder of a church?
Titus 1:
5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his ...
user35953
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In Matthew 16:18, was Jesus referring to Peter or himself when he said "upon this rock"? [duplicate]
In Matthew 16:18, was Jesus referring to Peter or himself when he said "upon this rock, i will build my church"?
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will ...
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What is the context 1 Timothy 2?
Based on the text, what is the context of 1 Timothy 2? Some say it's the home/family, others say it's the church, and yet others say it's "everywhere" (cf. v. 8). Knowing the answer would ...
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In what circumstances would Hebrew 10:25 no longer apply?
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25
The believer was encouraged to attend ...
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In Matthew 16:18, how should "ekklesia" be translated and understood?
Matt. 16:18 says, "κἀγὼ δέ σοι λέγω ὅτι σὺ εἶ Πέτρος καὶ ἐπὶ ταύτῃ τῇ πέτρᾳ οἰκοδομήσω μου τὴν ἐκκλησίαν καὶ πύλαι ᾅδου οὐ κατισχύσουσιν αὐτῆς"(TR-1550 Stephanus)
"And I say also unto ...
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Is agreed-upon prayer always answered?
Matthew 18:19-20 (NASB):
Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have ...
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In 1 Corinthians 3:9, does "You are God's field" refer only to the Body of Christ, and if so, what does it mean?
In the gospels, Jesus referred to the "field" as "the world":
[Mat 13:38 NKJV] (38) "The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the ...
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Was an additional purpose of the first-century church's Sunday worship service to evangelize visitors?
I have always wondered about a preacher who proclaims the Gospel during weekly services, where 90 percent or more of the audience already consists of church members, instead of going out and looking ...
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Does the biblical understanding of "coming together" require physical presence?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the church I attend is meeting online. However, some members have expressed reservations about this, fearing if the Scriptural teaching for churches to "assemble" meant ...
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In Matthew 16:19 what are the "keys of the kingdom"?
Matthew 16:19 (ESV)
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
ΚΑΤΑ ...
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Are the commandments concerning covering & uncovering the head for public assemblies only or in private as well? (1 Corinthians Chapter 11)
Are the commandments concerning covering & uncovering the head for public assemblies only or in private as well?
I have read commentaries on these verses and most agree that these commandments ...
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Matthew 18:17 "the church" does that mean elders/overseers or the church body? ekklēsia, ekklēsias
Why does Martthew 18:17 use ekklēsia, then at the end of the verse use ekklēsias both for the "Church"? Does one mean the elders, like the jewish tradition of jewish leaders at the gate and the other ...
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What is the extent of the silence commanded of women in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-12?
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35And if they will learn any thing, let ...
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What did Jesus mean by "on this rock, I will build my church"?
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
What does Jesus mean by "on this rock, I will build My ...
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To whom was the letter 1 John written?
I understand that 1 John was directed to Christians who were hit by the rise of Gnosticism. I also understand that the letter was believed to have been written in Ephesus.
Is there any research to ...
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How important is the fact that the Corinthian Assembly was Formed From A Synagogue?
Acts 18:7-11 (KJV) (emphasis added)
7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
8 And ...
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About resurrection and rapture: when we change?
I thought I understood this Bible fragment:
51Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For ...
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According to Matthew 16:18, what is the relationship between the NT church and OT church?
A search for the English word “church” reveals that it first appears in the New Testament in Matt. 16:18:1
18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and ...
user862
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Sharing of Paul epistles amongst churches
In Colossians 4:16, Paul explicitely instructs the sharing of epistles between the Laodiceans and Colossians:
16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also
in the church ...
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Did Paul intend his instructions concerning the Lord's Supper to apply beyond the church in Corinth?
In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul talks about communion:
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he ...
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Comparing Matt 18:15-20 with Jn 20:21-23
Is there a legitimate contextual comparison between what Jesus teaches in Matthew 18:15-20 (certain disciplinary functions working in an assembly of people in God's name) and the text in John 20:21-23?...
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Does "the church" in Matthew 18:17 refer to the whole assembly?
In Matthew 18:17, Jesus' instructions on the brother who sins reach a climax:
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to ...
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In 1 Timothy 3:15 is it "God" or "the church of God" that is the "pillar and support of the truth"?
1 Tim 3:15 (NA28):
....ἐκκλησία θεοῦ ζῶντος, στῦλος καὶ ἑδραίωμα τῆς ἀληθείας.
This refers to the church of the living God, the pillar and support of truth in GNB. The CEV makes it clear that ...
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Who were the "all" distributed to in Acts 2?
Acts 2:44-45:
And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have ...
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What is the Greek meaning of "this" in Matthew 16:18?
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my
church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18
ESV)
Taking this verse at face value - it appears to me ...
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Who or what is the author speaking about when he wrote 'walls' in Isaiah 49:16?
Isaiah 49:16, New American Standard Bible (NASB):
16 “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your
walls are continually before Me."
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Can Revelation 20:5 "the rest of the dead..." rightfully claim to be part of the original text?
Augustin delighted in viewing the church's bishops sitting on thrones, therefore announcing the Millennium as having begun already. After history this view seems hard to maintain. The thousand years ...
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What constitutes "destroying God's temple" in 1 Corinthians 3:17?
In 1 Corinthians 3:17, Paul warns, "If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple." (ESV)
This verse is often brought up often in ...
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How should ἐκκλησίαις be translated in 1 Corinthians 14:34?
Though it has a couple different meanings, most often ἐκκλησία is translated as "church" in the NT. I'm wondering, though, whether its use in 1 Corinthians 14:34 might be distinguished from its use in ...
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What does the prohibition against women speaking in church in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 mean?
In 1st Corinthians 14:34-35 (NASB), Paul says:
34The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35If ...
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