Category Archives: Church 2.0

Church 2.0: Part 10.11: Congregational Autonomy, Part 5 (Next Steps)

So what are the next steps? Teach grace sufficient to allow us to treat other denominations of Christians as saved. Teach a faith certain enough that we don’t treat non-Christians as Christians. Jews and Muslims aren’t part of this. Faith … Continue reading

Posted in Church 2.0, Congregational Autonomy and Mergers, Ecclesiology, Uncategorized | 25 Comments

Church 2.0: Part 10.10: Congregational Autonomy, Part 4 (FAQs, Part 2)

Continuing to reflect on the NT example of one congregation per city. We’re so divided today, how could we ever achieve such a thing today? A couple of thoughts. First, we need to stop thinking of unity as something for … Continue reading

Posted in Church 2.0, Congregational Autonomy and Mergers, Ecclesiology, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Church 2.0: Part 10.6.1: Ekklēsia in the NT, Part 4

It occurred to me the other day that we may have missed an important element underlying Paul’s theology. I doubt I’m the first to have noticed this, but I don’t think I’ve seen this hermeneutical thought anywhere else. We know … Continue reading

Posted in Church 2.0, Ecclesiology, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Church 2.0: Part 10.9: Congregational Autonomy, Part 3 (FAQs, Part 1)

For those of us with a restorationist bent, the idea that there was but one congregation in a given city during New Testament times is a disturbing conclusion, because the Churches of Christ operate in ways that are very contrary to … Continue reading

Posted in Church 2.0, Congregational Autonomy and Mergers, Ecclesiology, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Church 2.0: Part 10.9: Congregational Autonomy, Part 3 (FAQs, Part 1)

Church 2.0: Part 10.8: Congregational Autonomy, Part 2

Ephesian elders and the Jerusalem church Now, consider Paul’s speech to the elders at Ephesus – (Act 20:17-21 NAS) 17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.  18 And when they had come … Continue reading

Posted in Church 2.0, Congregational Autonomy and Mergers, Ecclesiology, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Church 2.0: Part 10.7: Congregational Autonomy, Part 1

In the NT, ekklēsia is used in two senses: the church-universal and the local congregation. These parallel the use of ekklēsia in the OT to refer to all of Israel gathered at Mt. Sinai or in Jerusalem for worship, the … Continue reading

Posted in Church 2.0, Congregational Autonomy and Mergers, Ecclesiology, Uncategorized | 14 Comments

Church 2.0: Part 10.6: Ekklēsia in the NT, Part 3 (Judging Angels)

Paul says, (1 Cor. 6:1-3 ESV) When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?  2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the … Continue reading

Posted in Church 2.0, Ecclesiology, Uncategorized | 96 Comments

Church 2.0: Part 10.5: Ekklēsia in the NT, Part 2 (Matt 18:17)

We’ve considered church discipline in earlier posts, but there’s an interesting aspect brought up by Jesus’ use of ekklēsia in Matt 18:17 — (Matt. 18:14-17 ESV) should perish.  15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his … Continue reading

Posted in Church 2.0, Ecclesiology, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Church 2.0: Part 10.5: Ekklēsia in the NT, Part 2 (Matt 18:17)

Church 2.0: Part 10.4: Ekklēsia in the NT, Part 1 (Matt 16:18)

In the Gospels, ekklēsia is only used twice, both in Matthew. Both are familiar passages — (Matt. 16:17-18 ESV)  17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but … Continue reading

Posted in Church 2.0, Ecclesiology, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Church 2.0: Part 10.3: Ekklēsia in the OT

Historically, scholarship has paid very little attention to the use of ekklēsia in the Greek translation of the OT used by First Century Jews, the Septuagint (the LXX). Scholars have assumed that the NT church chose this term with little regard for its … Continue reading

Posted in Church 2.0, Ecclesiology, Uncategorized | 3 Comments