STEPHANIE DAVID #3

12 – STEM

THEOLOGY ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS (ECCLESIOLOGY)

1. What is the original meaning of the word Ecclesia/Ekklesia. How did it evolve?
Originally, Ecclesia referred to those who have been called out of, summoned or set apart. It only had a
secular usage for it alluded to the assembly of citizens, summoned by the town crier to a meeting to make legislative
decisions, but was also used to any kind of gathering or assemblies. It evolved in the NT, where it had a more
specialized usage for it referred to the “called out ones.” It implies the “Christian Community” and was used to
identify the local assembly of those who profess faith in Jesus as well as to identify the universal church. It has never
been describe as building.
2. What is Ecclesiology? How does it help faithful to understand his/her participation in the Church?
Ecclesiology is the study of the Church, this is derived from the Greek words meaning “assembly” and “word,”
when combined mean “the study of the Church,” and the church is the assembly of believers who belong to God.
Ecclesiology helps us, the faithful, to understand our participation in the Church by teaching us about the role of the
church and the role in the church. It teaches us about the ordinances of and how church leadership is to be chosen
and structured, and what the church does to believers and unbelievers. To believers, the church performs worship
and discipleship, while to the unbelievers, it performs ministry and evangelism.
3. Why do Christians need to know about the Church?
Christians need to know about the church because the church is the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ. As
Christians we must understand this concept, and that each one of us has a specific role and function within that body.
We all have our mission in following Jesus and continuing His ministry. We are tasked to spread the good news to
others, and to help other members of the church in spreading our faith.
4. What is the Church? Its purpose of establishment? Explain.
The nature of the church can be summed up in 6 concepts. The first is the People of God, where it is described
as God’s assembly, His elect. The Church is people called by God, incorporated into Christ and indwelt by the Holy
Spirit. The second is the Body of Christ, where Paul provides the metaphor between the church and the body of
Christ. This means that the church under Jesus’ leadership, is more than just a location. It is comprised of many
members under one body, and how they depend on each other for the betterment of mankind. The fourth is the Bride
of Christ, where the NT describes the deep love of the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, for his bride, the church. Here, it is
explained that the bridegroom’s activity toward His bride is dynamic and creative, making her what she needs to be
for her benefit. The fifth is the Flock or Good Shepperd, where us Christians belong to God’s flock, and Christ is our
Shepperd who cares for us, knows us, provides us rest, leads us, searches for us, guards us and prepares our journey.
The sixth nature is the Vine and Branches, where God is the vine and we are the branches. This means that the
branches depends on the vine for survival, and the branches have a choice of whether to stay and abide in the vine
or not. The purpose of establishing the church can be divided into 4 reasons. The first is to act as a channel or bridge
which assists believers in Christian growth. It exists to teach the biblical doctrine. The second is to provide a place
for fellowship for believers. The third is to observe the Lord’s supper or the Eucharistic celebration every Sunday
and Holy days of obligation. And the fourth is praying or to provide opportunity for the body of Christ to corporately
worship God.
5. How can the nature of the Church help believers today? Explain.
The nature of the Church can help believers today understand its purpose and what their roles in the church
are. Believers will be guided with proper knowledge which aids them in carrying out their mission from God, which
is to evangelize and worship. Nowadays, many people tend to neglect the importance of the church and their faith,
so learning about the nature of the church can help them reconnect their faith in the Lord.
 6. How much have you learned from the lesson?
I have learned a lot from this lesson about what the church really is, and what purpose it serves in my life. I
realize now that the church is not just a place, but also a representation of our relationship with God and His Son.
The church is our guide in executing our tasks from God, and we must appreciate and give importance to it because
it is a big part of our lives and our faith.