The document discusses the meaning of "church" based on passages from Acts and the Greek word "ekklesia". It explains that church refers to a gathering or assembly of believers in a community, not a building. The early church in Acts was devoted to learning from the apostles, fellowship, breaking bread together, and prayer. They shared possessions and met daily for teaching, meals, fellowship, and praise. The church is where believers gather in Jesus' name to encourage one another, remember Jesus through communion, and pray.

1. What is Church?
Acts 2:42-47

2. If...
LOVE is laying down your life for others
WORSHIP is being a living sacrifice
What is CHURCH?

3. What is Church?
A. The building
B. The organization or corporation
C. The leadership
D. The worship service
E. None of the above

4. Acts 17:24-25, 28
“The God who made the world and
everything in it is the Lord of heaven and
earth and does not live in temples built by
human hands. And he is not served by
human hands, as if he needed anything.
Rather, he himself gives everyone life and
breath and everything else.... ‘For in him we
live and move and have our being.’As some
of your own poets have said, ‘We are his
offspring.’

5. God does not live in...
...Buildings or Temples made by human hands.
BUT...
Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18)

6. Church
Greek word is EKKLESIA

7. Meaning of Ekklesia
= an assembly of the people convened at the public place of
the council for the purpose of deliberating (NAS New
Testament Greek Lexicon)
In ancient Greek civilization, city-zens gathered as an
ekklesia (general assembly) to deliberate on issues affecting
the city

8. Meaning of Ekklesia
When Paul appropriated the term into his letters, he applied
it to the body of Christ in every city
The people of God became the ekklesia (an assembly of
believers) of each town

9. Purpose (Acts 2:42)
They devoted themselves to:
the apostles' teaching and
to the fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and
to prayer.

10. Purpose (Acts 2:43-45)
Everyone was filled with awe, and many
wonders and miraculous signs were done
by the apostles. All the believers were
together and had everything in common.
Selling their possessions and goods, they
gave to anyone as he had need.

11. Purpose (Acts 2:46-47)
Every day they:
continued to meet together in the temple courts.
They broke bread in their homes and
ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

12. Acts Meetups
As often as they could:
Learn and talk about Jesus
Lord’s meal/supper
Fellowship (including feeding the needy)
Prayer and praise

13. Jesus gathering
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three come together in my name, there am
I with them.

14. Emmaus Road
Luke 24:30-31
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave
thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes
were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared
from their sight.
Even in the midst of doubt, Jesus came to be with them

15. What is Church?
Ekklesia, a gathering of disciples from each
community
A time for:
Communion and learning about Jesus
Encouraging and helping each other
Prayer and praise

16. What is Church?
A gathering of disciples from the community