Joe Nicola

Ekklesia: the Government of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth Joe Nicola

What comes to mind when you hear the word ?church?? The Bible tells us in Matthew 16:18 that Jesus said He would build His church. What would the disciples have thought Jesus meant since they had not heard the word ?church? before? When Matthew wrote his gospel, he used the Greek language. The word he chose that is translated as ?church? in English is ekklesia. Ekklesia was a common word during the time that Jesus walked the earth. Over time, we have lost the true meaning of this word and how it applies to us today. In Genesis 1:28, God commissioned man at creation with fruitfulness, multiplication, and the task of subduing and ruling the Earth. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gave us a commission that restates God?s original assignment to disciple the nations. I wrote this book to help people understand the true meaning of what Jesus said He would build. We will discuss the history, usage and application of this word for today. This book, however, is just the beginning. It will help us rediscover Jesus? original intent when He said, ?upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.?