A People, not a Building.

The English word 'church' comes originally from the Greek word kyrios. This word originally means 'lord', 'master' or 'power', which accurately describes the authority created within the Christian community in the early centuries. By the time the Bible was being translated into European languages in the 15th and 16th centuries, 'church' had come to mean both the organisation and ruling authority of the Christian Church, (i.e. the authority or the power).

It also came to mean more frequently the buildings in which the affairs of the Church were conducted. The Greek word found consistently in the New Testament, and wrongly translated church is ekklesia which properly means the congregation which comes together to worship.

The word 'church' was introduced into the English Bible because the church establishment and authority was unwilling to accept that the ekklesia or congregation, had any authority or part in the running of the 'church'. Matthew 18:15-20 instructs the ekklesia to deal with those among their number who offended their brothers and sisters. This was an embarrassment to Church authorities. In most churches, including the Protestants, even today a distinction is made between the ordained 'clergymen' and 'lay' officers, who exercise only minor functions. This distinction is emphasised by the dress worn exclusively by clergymen. The Roman Catholic Church uses a Latin word curia, from the same Greek source, to describe the authority of their church.

"But ye are come…to the general assembly and church of the first born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant…." (Hebrews 12:22-24, KJV).

Calling
Charity
Cherub
Child, Children
Christ
Christian
Church
Circumcision
Cloud
Coming again
Commandment
Communion
Confession
Congregation
Conscience
Contract or Covenant
  1. A Human Agreement
  2. Covenant: God's Will for Us
Creation
Creed
Cross
Crown
  1. of a King
  2. The Victor's Laurel Wreath
Crucifixion