The Ekklesia or The Church of What's Happening Now*
Years ago, a comedian named Flip Wilson used to make jokes about a certain kind of church. He called it "The Church of What's Happening Now." He would poke fun at the things that were not right in the church. It was funny because it was based upon true and recognizable weaknesses. What kind of church are we supposed to be? What kind of church do we choose to be - a supernatural church standing upon an immovable rock, or a church that swings in whatever direction the world is going? Jesus described a church based upon the revelation of Him as the Messiah/Christ, the Son of God, which Peter received from heaven at the time. Jesus said to him: "And I say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church ( ekklesia - called out assembly); and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Mt. 16:18). This is the first mention of "church" in the New Testament, which is th...