[quote author="
alon" source="/post/18579/thread" timestamp="1425529019Hint: start by replacing the word "
church" with
synagogue wherever you find it.
Dan
C
[/font][/quote]
alon,
While I don’t have a problem using “church” and “synagogue” interchangeably, they are not used to translate the same Greek word. The Greek words synagoge (or synagogue) and ekklesia (often translated as congregation or church) have very similar meanings. Synagogue means a gathering (syn = together, and ago = bring, or, bring together), while ekklesia (ek = out of, klesia = call) means a calling out of. So, ekklesia doesn’t just mean called together, gathering, or church; it also implies a calling out… as from ‘the world,’ and limiting the translated words “congregation” to gathering or “church” to the gathered or the building of worship does violence to the words.
Therefore, we must be careful whenever we come upon the word congregation/church in the Bible, because the specific reference may imply either those who gather in a place, or those who are called by God. For notice the following group of scriptures to see what such a calling implies:
Matthew 22:14: ‘For many are called, but few are chosen.’
Romans 1:6: ‘from which you’ve also become called ones who belong to Jesus the Anointed’
Romans 1:7: ‘God’s loved ones who were called to be holy.’
Romans 8:28: ‘Now, we know that God makes everything work together for the good of those who love Him (those who have been called to do His Will).’
Romans 8:30: ‘He calls all those whom He selects, then He makes all those whom He calls righteous, and He glorifies all those whom He makes righteous.’
1 Corinthians 1:2: ‘To you who have been made holy in the Anointed One Jesus, who are called to be Holy Ones.’
1 Corinthians 1:9: ‘God who called you to have a share with His Son (our Lord Jesus the Anointed One) is faithful.’
2 Corinthians 5:20: ‘So, God is calling [people] through us. We are begging on behalf of the Anointed One, Come back to a relationship with God.’
Galatians 5:13: ‘You were called to be free, brothers.’
Ephesians 1:18: ‘so you can know the glorious richness of the hope that He has called you for and which He holds as an inheritance for the Holy Ones.’
Philippians 3:14: ‘I’m running toward the goal, the prize of the upward calling from God.’
Colossians 3:15, ‘Let the peace of the Anointed One serve as the referee in your hearts, because it called [all of] you into one body.
1 Thessalonians 2:12: ‘[We did this] so that you would keep on walking in a way that’s worthy of The God who’s calling you to His Kingdom and glory.’
1 Thessalonians 4:7: ‘For, God didn’t call us to uncleanness, but to holiness.’
2 Thessalonians 2:14: ‘This is why He called you through the good news we brought: So you would receive the glory of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed.’
1 Timothy 6:12: ‘Put on the age-long life that you were called to, and about which you offered such a fine confession in front of so many witnesses.’
2 Timothy 1:9: ‘He saved us and called us to holiness, not because of anything we’ve done, but because of His Will and the caring that He felt for us (through Jesus the Anointed One), in the times before the ages.’
Hebrews 3:1: ‘Therefore, holy brothers who share in the heavenly calling; let’s think about this Apostle and High Priest whom we confess, Jesus.’
1 Peter 1:15, 16: ‘But, like the Holy One who called you, become holy in all your ways. For it’s written; You must be holy, because I am holy.’
1 Peter 2:9: ‘However, you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who were specially selected to announce the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light.’
2 Peter 1:10: ‘Brothers, this is why it’s so urgent for you to make your calling and choosing firm.’
Revelation 17:14: ‘But, because he's the Lord of lords and King of kings, the Lamb and those who are with him (the called, elected, and faithful) will conquer them.’
etc. By having faith in Messiah we fulfill the purpose of 
