Ekklesia Health Check-Up - How Healthy Is Your Church?
THE PURPOSE OF GATHERINGS Paul clearly defined that the core function of the Ekklesia is to worship God by equipping the saints for the work of the soul saving ministry so that the Ekklesia is edified ( Eph. 4:12 ). Anything else is spurious. The early Ekklesia had apostolic (go) teaching not just with words but with mighty deeds, food fellowship, prayer, sharing resources, going fishing to catch two-legged fish. When they met together, Paul gave clear instructions in 1 Cor. 14:20-40 regarding the way the Gatherings are to be conducted. The key verses in this passage are 31 and 39: “You can ‘all’ (both men and women) prophesy one by one, so that ‘all’ may learn, and ‘all’ may be edified.” He emphasizes that ‘all’ can prophesy, so that ‘all’ may learn, and come to maturity, the real purpose of Gatherings. ‘All’ should learn is only possible when ‘All’ can open their mouths and participate. In the Ekklesia ‘All’ are participants, for there are no spectators. The only exception is t...