Beyond the Four Walls: Discovering the Lord’s Ekklesia (Democratic Assembly)

Step out from behind the four walls and into the vibrant life of the Lord's Ekklesia, where every distinct voice joins a unified chorus of love, lifting Jesus above all else.

Many modern believers have begun using the word "Ekklesia" more frequently, but often they are simply replacing the word "church" without changing their underlying concept. In many minds, "Ekklesia" is still just a synonym for a church, house church or a specific ministry. However, the Scriptures suggest that Ekklesia (better described as the Lord’s Democratic Assembly) has a distinct biblical meaning that goes far beyond building a specific denominational ministry, or another way to refer to “church.”

Defining Ekklesia (Democratic Assembly)

The term “ekklesia” originates from Greek democracy and is characterized by two main pillars: inclusivity and free speech. As a Democratic Legislative Assembly, it includes all citizens regardless of their status—rich or poor, Jew or Greek. In the context of faith, God's Ekklesia (the ‘real’ Democratic Assembly) is composed of all saints who call upon the name of Jesus Christ in every place. It is what Jesus said He would build in Matthew 16:18-19. 

Unlike a specific ministry, which is often led by a person with a particular gift to equip the saints, the Lord’s Democratic Assembly is a gathering of God’s people in their differences. While a ministry might have a building (often called a "church") and a specific message, the Lord’s Ekklesia (Democratic Assembly) is where the body of Christ acts in unity and love, answering Jesus’ prayer for Oneness in John 17. (See also Romans 12:3-3-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 for a prescription for “body life” in unity and John 13:34-35 and 1 Corinthians 13 for very strong exhortations “to love.”)

The Necessity of Factions

A startling concept found in the Scriptures is that there must be factions when the saints’ Ekklesia (Democratic Assembly) comes together (see 1 Corinthians 11:19). While division is often seen as a problem to be avoided, Paul suggests that these differences are necessary so that those who are approved may be recognized.

Who are the approved? They are the peacemakers. In an environment where different "tribes"—such as Baptists, Pentecostals, Catholics, or politically right and left—come together, conflict is natural. The approved are those who serve Christ by focusing on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit rather than arguing over secondary doctrines like specific practices or traditions (Rom. 14:17-19).

True Worship and Free Speech

In the Lord’s Democratic Assembly, worship is not restricted to a single leader dominating the floor. Instead, it follows the principle of a Democratic Legislative Assembly, where no one person acts as a dictator. The Scriptures highlight that:

• Everyone has something to share (see 1 Corinthians 14:26-31): Just as no one was to go to Jerusalem empty-handed in the Old Testament, every member of God's Ekklesia (Democratic Assembly) should bring a song, a teaching, or a revelation.

• The Common Denominator is Jesus: The primary purpose of gathering is to remember the Lord and His death and resurrection (1 Cor. 11:24-25). In the Lord’s Ekklesia (Democratic Assembly), the only name lifted up is Jesus as Lord (1 Cor. 12:3), rather than a specific ministry or doctrine.

• Sharing and Equality: True gathering involves discerning the Lord’s body by sharing with one another so that there is no lack, ensuring the rich do not remain separate from the poor. 

Maturity Through Love and Unity

Ultimately, practicing the Lord’s Ekklesia (Democratic Assembly) requires a high level of spiritual maturity. According to the Scriptures, maturity is not seeing every doctrine with 100% absolute clarity—which often leads to arguments—but rather seeing through a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13:11-13) and choosing love and patience instead.

In the saints' Ekklesia (the one Jesus said He would build as a Democratic Assembly), love is practiced in an environment of contradictions and differences. By embracing this Democratic Assembly, believers move away from being "babes in Christ" who are divided by their loyalty to specific leaders or doctrines (see 1 Corinthians 1:11-13 and Eph. 4:14) and move toward a unified body that makes decisions in harmony with heaven.

Source: https://youtu.be/63lqoKwZPm8