Biblical Metaphors, Nicene Attributes, and the Reformation Notae Ecclesiae
The Church is divinely instituted by Christ ( Matt 16:18 ) and revealed as the Spirit-baptized Body of Christ , Bride of Christ, and spiritual Temple ( 1 Cor 12 , Eph 2 , 1 Pet 2 ). The institutional marks (Notae Ecclesiae) and polity forms (episcopal, presbyterian, congregational) represent long-standing scholarly debate.
Interactive 3D Architectural Model • Luke 2, John 2 & Acts 3
Reconstruction of the expanded Second Temple Mount complex in Jerusalem during the life and ministry of Jesus and the early Church—featuring the towering white-stone and gold Sanctuary facade, the Court of the Women, Court of the Gentiles, Solomon's Portico , the Royal Stoa, and the Antonia Fortress.
an assembly, the assembly, congregation, community, (the) church
Primary meaning: an assembly, the assembly, congregation, community, (the) church. Strong's: a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both). Lexical nuances: prop., an assembly of citizens regularly convened (in Thuc., ii, 22, opp. to σύλλογος , a concourse ): Ac 19:32 , 39 , 41 . In LXX of the assembly, congregation, community of Israel (De 4:10 23:2, al.): Ac 7:38 , He 2:12 (LXX) . NT, esp. of an assembly or company of Christians, a (the) church ; of gatherings for worship: I Co 11:18 14:19 , 34 , 35 ; of local communities: Ac 8:3 , I Co 4:17 ; wi...
Derivation: from a compound of G1537 (ἐκ) and a derivative of G2564 (καλέω);
New Testament • 13 Chapters
2 Corinthians (New Testament, 13 chapters). Key figures: Yeshua the Messiah , Jacob/Israel , Moses , Abram/Abraham . Key places: Corinth , Achaia , Asia , Macedonia , Troas , Damascus . Opens with: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth , with all the saint..."
Wiki Article • New Testament & Messiah
Following the ascension of Yeshua and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in Acts 1 –2, the apostolic community spread from Jerusalem and Judea to Samaria , Antioch , Corinth , Ephesus , and Rome , documented across Acts and the twenty-one New Testament Epistles.
flesh, body, humanity, frailty
Flesh, physical body, humanity; expresses human kinship ('one flesh') and creaturely transience in contrast to the eternal Spirit of God.
Derivation: From בָּשַׂר (H1319) to be fresh.
Ephesians • Chapter 3 (21 verses)
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Mentions: Yeshua the Messiah.
2 Corinthians • Chapter 12 (21 verses)
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third hea... Mentions: Yeshua the Messiah .
2 Corinthians • Chapter 1 (24 verses)
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth , with all the saints which are in all Achaia : Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of... Mentions: Yeshua the Messiah, Corinth , Achaia , Asia , Macedonia .
a house, dwelling, at home
Primary meaning: a house, dwelling, at home, the household. Strong's: properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics). Lexical nuances: a house , dwelling : Mt 2:11 7:24-27 , Mk 1:29 , al.; ἐν οἰκίᾳ (= cl. κατ ̓ οἰκίαν ), at home , Lk 8:27 ; εἰς οἰ. , II Jo 10 ; οἰ , c. gen. pers., usually has the art. ( Mt 8:14 , al., but cf. οἶκος and v. Bl., § 46, 9); ἡ οἰ. τ. πατρός μου , Jo 14:2 . Metaph., of the body as the dwelling of the soul: II Co 5:1 ; of property (as בַּיִת , Ge 45:18 , LXX, τ. ὑπάρχοντα ; III Ki 13:8 , LXX, οἶκος )...
Derivation: from G3624 (οἶκος);
house, family, dynasty, temple
House, household, royal dynasty (House of David), and temple (Beit YHWH, House of the LORD).
Derivation: From בָּנָה (H1129) to build.
a body, a person, a slave
Primary meaning: a body, a person, a slave. Strong's: the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively. Lexical nuances: a body . Prop., of the human body, as always in Hom. (opp. to δέμας ), of the dead body: Mt 27:58 , 59 Mk 15:43 , al.; of the living body: Lk 11:34 , I Co 6:13 , al.; ἐν σ. εἶναι , He 13:3 ; as the instrument of the soul, τὰ διὰ τοῦ σ. , II Co 5:10 ; opp. to πνεῦμα , Ro 8:10 , I Co 5:3 7:4 , Ja 2:26 ; to ψυχή , Mt 6:25 10:28 , Lk 12:22 (cf. Wi 1:4 , al.); to τὸ π. καὶ ἡ ψ. , I Th 5:23 ; σ. ψυχι...
Derivation: from G4982 (σώζω);
The Distribution of Grace, Edification of the Church, and Cessationist vs Continuationist Debates
The existence and divine distribution of spiritual gifts for building the Church is biblical-primary ( Rom 12 , 1 Cor 12 -14, Eph 4 ). However, whether miraculous sign gifts (tongues, prophecy, apostolic miracles) ceased with the apostolic age (Cessationism) or continue today (Continuationism) is a primary scholarly debate.
2 Corinthians • Chapter 8 (24 verses)
Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia ; How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyo... Mentions: Yeshua the Messiah , Macedonia .
Revelation • Chapter 21 (27 verses)
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem , coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice ou... Mentions: Jacob/Israel , Jerusalem .
1 Corinthians • Chapter 12 (31 verses)
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man c... Mentions: Yeshua the Messiah .
Revelation • Chapter 3 (22 verses)
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for... Mentions: David , Sardis , Philadelphia , Jerusalem .
Revelation • Chapter 1 (20 verses)
The Revelation of Jesus Christ , which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John : Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things ... Mentions: Yeshua the Messiah, Asia , Patmos , Ephesus , Smyrna , Thyatira .
2 Corinthians • Chapter 5 (21 verses)
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed w... Mentions: Yeshua the Messiah .
1 Corinthians • Chapter 1 (31 verses)
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth , to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord... Mentions: Yeshua the Messiah, Corinth .
