Category Archives: Greek New Testament

A hell of a shake down! Fresh view of Matthew 16–the rock, the kingdom, the ekklesia, the keys to lock and unlock.

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Steve Simms

In Matthew 16, Jesus talks about a hell of a shakedown. He proclaims a rock, His kingdom, His ekklesia, and the keys to lock and unlock as representatives of His government. Some things are beyond human reasoning. They are mysteries … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christ, demons, evil, Flesh and blood has not revealed, God's authority, Greek language, Greek New Testament, hearing God, hearing God's voice, heart strangely warmed, Hell, Jesus, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, mystery, New Testament, revelation, Son of the living God, spiritual authority, the Kingdom of God is at hand, Uncategorized, voice of God | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Does church keep Jesus on lockdown?

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Steve Simms

  Has church given up on the idea of people “meeting together” and personally “encouraging one another”, in exchange for people “passively sitting through a formal meeting”? “Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Christ in you, Christ in you the hope of glory, ekklesia, Examine yourself, Greek New Testament, Hebrews 10, not forsaking the assembling, Send the fire, simple church, transcendence, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

There’s no room for bullying in democracy (or church)

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

Want to go beyond the bullying and 1-man control that can be common in church? There’s no room for bullying in democracy or in church! –Modern democracy depends on decisions developed by deliberation, diplomacy, and consensus; not on the dictatorship … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, American values, ancient Greeks, back to church, Berry Street, church, community, control, control in church, controlling pastors, dictatorship, ekklesia, English, government, Greek city-states, Greek history, Greek New Testament, house church, I will build my church, love, making church more participatory, Nashville, On this rock I will build My church, organic chruch, participatory church, participatory culture, recovery groups, Salvation Army, simple church, support group, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Foundation of democracy

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Steve Simms

Ekklesia was the foundation of democracy. Each of the ancient Greek, democratic city-states had held ekklesia through out the year. This was their government. Each city-state had its own ekklesia and was independent. However the city-states did cooperate militarily and … Continue reading →

Posted in ancient Greeks, ancient Olympics, Bible, casting your vote, church, church history, city council meeting, debate, democratic, Greek, Greek city state, Greek history, Greek language, Greek New Testament, Greek word, Olympic history, Olympic spirit, political environment, political views, recovery, recovery groups, sports, support group, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Make church ekklesia again! (1 Corinthians 14:26)

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Steve Simms

  Make Church Ekklesia Again! (1 Corinthians 14:26) Ekklesia, It will free ya, Let you speak out, Overcome doubt, Drive away fear, Bring Christ so near, Make Christ so dear! It’s time to make church ekklesia again. (Ekklesia, the lost word … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, body of Christ, city council meeting, doubt, evangelicals, fear, Greek, Greek city-states, Greek language, Greek New Testament, Greek word, house church, how the body of Christ functions, I will build my church, Make America safe again, Matthew 16, On this rock I will build My church, prayer, simple church, truth will set you free, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gloria Gaither reviewed “Beyond Church”

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Steve Simms

In the current issue of Homecoming Magazine, Gloria Gaither reviewed Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible — Ekklesia. Here are some excerpts from Gloria’s Library column: “The way we worship and get our souls fed is changing. Oh, I … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Acts, Because He Lives, body of Christ, book of Acts, church, church meetings, family of God, Gospel, Gospel music, Greek New Testament, Greek word, I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God, kingdom of God, music, organic church, participatory church, persecution, simple church, Southern Gospel, Sweet Sweet Spirit, Uncategorized, Western Christianity, Western culture, Western society, When you come together | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Are Christians playing with a full deck — ekklesia?

Posted on April 30, 2016 by Steve Simms

Is the traditional concept of church short of God’s full deck — the Greek New testament idea of ekklesia? Is ekklesia God’s trump card that empowers Christ-followers to dynamically connect with the living, resurrected Jesus and with one another? A … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, Bible quotes, Bible verses, called out ones, decrees, demonstrations of the Spirit, Dones, ekklesia, Greek, Greek city state, Greek New Testament, Heaven, house church, nones, on earth as it is in heaven, organic chruch, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

8 past keys to Christianity’s powerful future!

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Steve Simms

Although Christianity appears to be in rapid decline in the Western world, it is about to break out with fresh power that will radically transform those who experience it. How? The biblical example of ekklesia was established by Jesus Christ when He … Continue reading →

Posted in church, clergy, clergy laity, ekklesia, family of God, family values, Greek New Testament, Holy Spirit, house church, led by the Spirit, New Testament church, organic chruch, priesthood of the believer, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army Nashville, serving others, simple church, sin, Tennessee, Uncategorized, universal priesthood, unprogrammed | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beyond predictable religion to unpredictable, untamed ekklesia (quotes)

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Steve Simms

Church is caught in continual predictability, perpetually presenting the same basic program week after week. That’s one reasons millions of people are leaving church and calling themselves “Dones.” However, the Greek New Testament concept of ekklesia is never the same from … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Catholic mass, Chet Akins, church, country music, ekklesia, Eleanor Roosevelt, Francesca Battistelli, Frans de Waal, George R.R. Martin, Gordon Parks, Greek New Testament, house church, James Dashner, James Woods, Jesus Christ, Leo F. Buscaglia, Mark Batterson, Nashville, New Testament, organic chruch, Pope Francis, R.T. Kendall, Ralph Abernathy, simple church, Skye Jethani, T.F. Hodge, Uncategorized, unpredictable | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christ-followers are called out to be Christ’s City Council

Posted on January 28, 2016 by Steve Simms

Jesus said (in the original Greek) “I will build My ekklesia.” Ekklesia was the city council in Greek city-states. (The Greek word literally means called out ones. The Greeks chose it as the name for their city council because citizens were called out to … Continue reading →

Posted in Beyond Church, Bible quotations, Bible verses, called out ones, church elders, city council meeting, Divine healing, faith healing, gifts of healing, Greek, Greek city-states, Greek New Testament, Head of the church, husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church, I will build my church, Matthew 16:18, On this rock I will build My church, organic church, the gates of hell, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment