What Christ Intended the Church to Be—and What It Has Now Become: A Journey of Discovery 🚶♂️✨
Prologue: The Question That Wouldn’t Let Go
Eli, a thoughtful believer in his thirties, sat in the back pew of a grand, echoing cathedral. The stained glass shimmered, the choir’s voices soared, but something inside him felt… restless. Was this what Christ had in mind when He spoke of His church? Or had something essential been lost along the way?
Determined to find answers, Eli set out on a journey—across time, scripture, and continents—seeking the true identity of the church. His quest would take him from the bustling streets of Jerusalem to the candlelit catacombs of Rome, through medieval cathedrals and modern megachurches, always asking: What did Christ intend the church to be? And what has it now become?
Chapter 1: The Birth of the Ekklesia 🌱
Eli’s journey began in the pages of the New Testament. He read the words of Yeshua (Jesus) in Matthew 16:18:
“I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
But the word “church” puzzled him. Digging deeper, Eli discovered that the Greek word used was ekklesia—not a building, but an assembly or congregation of people called out for a purpose. This was the same word used in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) for the assembly of Israel. The church, then, was meant to be a vibrant, organic community, not an institution or a place.
For more on the Hebraic roots of ‘church’, see What Does “Church” Really Mean?
Eli imagined himself among the first followers, gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem. The air was thick with anticipation. Suddenly, a sound like a rushing wind filled the house. Tongues of fire appeared, resting on each person. They began to speak in other languages, declaring the wonders of God. This was Pentecost, the birth of the ekklesia—a movement, not a monument.
Chapter 2: The Early Church—A Living Body 🤝
Eli’s next stop was the bustling homes and marketplaces of the first-century believers. He read Acts 2:42-47:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… All the believers were together and had everything in common.”
He saw a community marked by radical generosity, unity, and shared life. There were no clergy-laity divides, no ornate buildings—just people, gathered in homes, breaking bread, praying, and caring for one another. Leadership was plural and servant-hearted, as described in Ephesians 4:11-16:
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up… attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Eli realized that the early church was a living body, each member gifted and vital, growing together in maturity and love. For a deeper dive, see Ekklesia: The Assembly God Intended.
Chapter 3: The Constantinian Shift—From Movement to Monument 🏛️
Eli’s journey took a dramatic turn in the fourth century. He found himself in the court of Emperor Constantine, who, in 313 AD, issued the Edict of Milan, legalizing Christianity. Suddenly, the persecuted movement became the favored religion of the empire.
He watched as bishops donned imperial robes, basilicas rose across the land, and the ekklesia became increasingly institutionalized. The church’s leadership structure shifted from a network of servant-leaders to a hierarchy modeled after Roman governance. The organic, participatory gatherings gave way to formal liturgies and passive congregations.
For more on this transformation, see The Constantinian Shift.
Eli reflected: Had the church traded its birthright for power and respectability?
Chapter 4: The Medieval Church—Power, Splendor, and Division ⛪
Eli wandered through the soaring cathedrals of medieval Europe. He marveled at the art and architecture, but sensed a growing distance between clergy and laity. The church wielded immense political power, but spiritual vitality often waned. The original vision of a unified, Spirit-filled body seemed obscured by layers of tradition and hierarchy.
He overheard a conversation between two monks:
“Brother, do you think this is what the apostles envisioned?”
“I wonder… Sometimes I fear we have built walls where there should be bridges.”
Chapter 5: The Reformation—A Cry for Renewal 🔥
Eli’s journey leapt forward to the 16th century. He stood in the crowd as Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg. The Reformation was a call to return to the scriptures, to rediscover the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9), and to challenge the abuses of institutional power.
Yet, even as new movements arose, Eli noticed that many soon developed their own structures, creeds, and divisions. The dream of a unified ekklesia remained elusive.
For more on denominationalism and its impact, see Denominations: Blessing or Barrier?.
Chapter 6: The Modern Church—A House Divided? 🏢🏠
Eli returned to the present, visiting churches of every shape and size—cathedrals, storefronts, house churches, and megachurches. He saw passionate worship, acts of service, and genuine faith. But he also saw fragmentation, consumerism, and a struggle to embody the unity and purpose of the early ekklesia.
He sat with a small group of believers in a living room. One asked, “What does it really mean to be the church?” Another replied, “Maybe it’s not about where we meet, but how we love, serve, and grow together.”
Eli pondered the words of Yeshua in John 17:20-23:
“I pray… that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you… so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
He realized that the true church is not defined by buildings, programs, or denominations, but by a people united in Messiah, living out His kingdom on earth.
Chapter 7: Rediscovering the Ekklesia—A Call to Action 🚀
Eli’s journey had come full circle. He saw that Christ’s intention was for the church to be:
- A called-out community (ekklesia), rooted in the story of Israel and the kingdom of God (Romans 11).
- A living body, where every member is gifted and essential (1 Corinthians 12).
- A family, marked by love, mutual care, and shared mission (Acts 2:42-47).
- A witness to the world, reflecting the unity and character of Messiah (John 17:20-23).
He resolved to seek out and nurture communities that embodied these values, to challenge traditions that obscured them, and to invite others on the same journey.
For practical steps and further study, see Ekklesia: The Assembly God Intended, Profiles of the Blessed: The Heart of the Kingdom Revealed, and The Kingdom Gospel: Ancient Truths, Modern Eyes.
Cliff Notes: Main Insights & Action Points 📝
- Ekklesia means “assembly” or “called-out ones”—not a building, but a people with a purpose. (What Does “Church” Really Mean?)
- The early church was a Spirit-filled, participatory community—not a passive audience. (Acts 2:42-47)
- Institutionalization shifted the church’s focus from organic life to hierarchy and tradition. (The Constantinian Shift)
- The Reformation reclaimed key truths but also led to new divisions. (Denominations: Blessing or Barrier?)
- Today’s church is diverse but often fragmented—the call remains to unity, love, and shared mission. (John 17:20-23)
- Action Points:
- Re-examine your understanding of “church” in light of scripture.
- Seek out or nurture communities that reflect the biblical ekklesia.
- Embrace your role as a vital member of Christ’s body.
- Prioritize unity, love, and shared mission over tradition or preference.
- Continue learning: Explore more on HebrewBuddy.com
Epilogue: The Journey Continues 🌍
Eli’s story is every believer’s story. The question remains: Will we settle for what the church has become, or will we pursue what Christ intended it to be?
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 2:7)
For more articles and resources, visit HebrewBuddy.com.
