The Church is not The Ecclesia
The term "Church" or "Christian Church" is a broad umbrella term covering a wide family of beliefs and boasting up to 1.5 Billion people. It is true to it's origin and roots. It comes from a Greek word, Kuriakos, which is rather vague and means pertaining to a Lord.Today it references a large number who have an affection for the things of God or of Christ or of the Bible. Kirke or Church is a mistranslation of Greek word Ecclesia and carries none of the radical rawness of the original. N.B. You can become a member of the Church in various ways!
scattered throughout the world, many totally hidden and co-existing within every
segment of "christianity" and a great many more alive and thriving outside anything even associated with "Church".
They are simply known as "believers". Their lives are "hid with Christ in God" (Col 3:3) They are not trying to hide their beliefs in any way but their true identity is hidden to most as they do not fit easily into accepted religious moulds or Oxford definitions: N.B. You can't become a member of the Ecclesia! You could discover you are chosen already as one!
The Ecclesia, as God sees it, has no visible external structures: No buildings nor steeples: No pews nor choirs!They meet in village green, in the back of cars or on trains and buses and rented halls.There is no visible emblem of identity or of union!No man ordained hierarchy nor clergy and no statement of Faith to hang on a wall:The "Unity Of The Spirit" binds them together in inseparable spiritual fellowship and they move on to maturity never losing the freshness and excitement of early days. They are "called out"!
From a human point of view there seems to be over 35,000 divisions
within christian churches and denominations today. From God's perspective
however there are only two. God only acknowledges one dividing line
"He who has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of
God does not have life" (1 John 5:12 & Romans 8:9) So simple that most
people miss it! But it's dynamite!
Remember being a member of the Ecclesia is not dependent on doctrines, theology, or statements of faith It's not a doctrine thing at all. Its a transaction of the Spirit that takes place deep within the heart of one chosen. That transaction has however consequences in the life that line up with scripture. Let me try and explain:
This transaction brings with it an awareness of 1 Cor 15: 1-3 and a gradual moving away from injustice and iniquity.(2 Tim 2:19) So I consider all who call upon the Lord out of a clean heart (2 Tim 2:22) true believers and I am ready to fellowship with each one, person to person on that basis. It's a Unity of the Spirit (as when Mary met Elizabeth) -- not man made at all! You maintain it: You don't create it. {Eph. 4:3}
The prime duty of teachers of scripture is to make the text of Scripture accessible and intelligible. Their own opinion and their own views are worth zero! They are gifted to dig deep to ascertain facts from God's Word and dispense them lovingly. They should leave the task of drawing inferences to the hearers for themselves. That is what I am doing here today:
Maybe 90% in all the churches and in all the denominations are "called out ones".Maybe it's as low as 10%! Since salvation depends on a secret transaction within the hearts of each one ..who am I to say? My job is not one of judging but of making accessible God's word and His guidelines so each one can judge for himself. But judge based on scripture! 
If you are not chosen at this time then please read 1 Tim 4:10 "For this we both labour and are reproached, because we hope on the living God, who is Saviour of all men -- especially of those believing". God has another route for you and it will culminate at the Great White Throne where you will be judged based on your works. Take heart! Keep sowing! God has not yet finished with you either!
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