Rediscovering the biblical pattern

Ekklesia. Called out. Gathered in homes. Built up in love.

The early Christians met in ordinary homes for a simple, powerful reason: to build one another up. What if we returned to that?

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Homes • Not buildings

The Word Matters

What is Ekklesia?

The New Testament uses one specific Greek word for the gatherings of believers. It is not the word most English Bibles translate as “church.”

ἐκκλησία

ek-klay-SEE-ah

ἐκ (ek) — “out of” or “from”

καλέω (kaleō) — “to call”

Literal meaning: A called-out assembly or gathering of those summoned.

In the New Testament, ekklesia refers to the people God has called out of the world and gathered together — first in Jerusalem, then in homes across the Roman world.

A translation choice

Where did “church” come from?

The English word “church” does not come from ekklesia. It traces back through Old English cirice to the Greek kyriakon — “belonging to the Lord” or “Lord’s house.” Over time, the focus shifted from the people to a building or institution.

Why it matters: Recovering “ekklesia” helps us see the church as a living, relational body rather than a place we go or an organization we join.

The biblical pattern

It Started — and Thrived — in Homes

The earliest gatherings were not centered around specialized religious buildings. They met around tables, in households, and in ordinary rooms where everyone could participate.

Acts 2:46

“Breaking bread in their homes,” the first believers shared meals with glad and sincere hearts.

Romans 16:5

Paul greets the ekklesia that meets in the house of Priscilla and Aquila.

Colossians 4:15

Nympha is greeted along with the ekklesia in her house — one of many named home gatherings.

The primary purpose

Build One Another Up

The gathering was not primarily a weekly event performed by a few for many. It was a participatory assembly where each person could bring something for the strengthening of the body.

“When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.”

1 Corinthians 14:26

Teaching and exhortation

Instruction was shared for maturity, correction, encouragement, and obedience.

Bread, prayer, and fellowship

The table and the gathering belonged together: shared life, shared food, shared prayer.

Mutual participation

The body was built up as each member contributed what the Spirit had given.

Trace the pattern

Key Scriptures

The New Testament gives a consistent picture: believers gathered in homes, shared life, and practiced mutual edification.

Homes and households

Acts 2:46 • Romans 16:5 • 1 Corinthians 16:19 • Colossians 4:15 • Philemon 1:2

Mutual building up

1 Corinthians 14:26 • Ephesians 4:11–16 • Hebrews 10:24–25 • 1 Peter 4:10–11

Shepherding and maturity

Acts 20:17–35 • Titus 1:5–9 • 1 Timothy 3:1–7 • 1 Peter 5:1–4

Witness and multiplication

Matthew 28:18–20 • Acts 5:42 • Acts 8:4 • Acts 20:20

Voices worth hearing

Dr. Tom Wadsworth

Research and teaching on the early Christian assembly, the meaning of ekklesia, and the participatory nature of New Testament gatherings.

Search teachings

Start with these themes

The difference between ekklesia and church

Why “each one has” changes the meeting

Recovering households as places of formation

Ready to Plant an Ekklesia?

Begin simply: gather believers around Scripture, prayer, a shared meal, and the commitment to build one another up in love.

Invite a few faithful households.

Let Scripture shape the meeting.

Make mutual edification the aim.