5 Smooth Stones

The Greek word translated church in the New Testament is ekklesia meaning an assembly or gathering of certain people called out to that gathering. To discover the standard for what constitutes a biblical ekklesia, church or assembly, the bible details the establishing of the church in Ephesus by the apostle Paul. Historically we know that Apollos went through Ephesus preaching the message and baptism of John. He actually raised up and left behind disciples whom Paul later came in contact with. Acts 19:1 “And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And fi nding some disciples 2 he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." 4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in all.” It is interesting that this group of about twelve households was not called a church. Some say that these men may not have been given all the information that was needed in order to be saved even though it says that they were disciples when Paul discovered them. As you will shortly see, salvation is not a requirement for constituting a biblical church assembly (although it is for membership in the Church). When Paul arrived in Ephesus he discovered twelve households of disciples left behind by Apollos’ preaching and teaching ministry. They had not made any notable impact on the society as of yet, but within a few short months Paul had imparted to the saints, mobilized them, and opened a training and sending center at the school of Tyrannus. The Holy Spirit, through Luke, recorded within this chapter keys to what the Lord says constitutes a biblical ekklesia. By looking closely at what is wri tt en here we will see keys which will strengthen our understanding of what the Lord requires for a biblical church or assembly. After Paul spent three months in the synagogue preaching to the Jews and the Gentile God fearers, he withdrew from the synagogue, and began intensive training at the school of Tyrannus. From here he began to raise up leaders, not only for the church in the city of Ephesus, but also began to send out his disciples to plant and establish churches in other cities in the region. It was through this training and sending e ff ort that all of the 49