Guy please show me where Ekklesia means only one group or local body.

In response to your question.......

I think I would like to see how you would show that the ekklsias was not one group in the light of these select passages. But if you insist, I think I can spell things out for you.

Acts 13 :1-3

" 1 ¶ NOW there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2) As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

3) And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away. "

Now, given these verses even an elementary school child could see that Paul and Barnabus were sent by Prophets and teachers (of the church, because it says that there were in the church in verse one) as the Holy spirit guided them.

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Acts 14:23

" And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting,they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. "

Read this verse real good in its context and you'll see that Paul and Barnubus (who were sent by the church) are building up the church by adding elders to it by ORDAINING them. They are ordaining them with authority that was delegated to them through Laying on of HANDS that were authorized to delegate such authority.

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Acts 15:2-4

" When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

3) And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

4) And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and [of] the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

It just does'nt get any plainer than this Nsewanswer(@aol.com) . Why on earth would Paul and Barnabus go to Jerusalem for answers to a question if they were their own authorities? Your church wouldn't go to another church for any answers and you know it.

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Acts 16:4

"And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. "

by the way the decrees they were delivering are mentioned in Acts 15: 23

" And they wrote [letters] by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren [send] greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

VERSE 25 OF THE SAME CHAPTER CLENCHES THIS MATTER COMPLETELY.

Acts 15: 25

"It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul "

ADD this to it....

Acts 15:27

" We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell [you] the same things by mouth. " (verification)

Also add this......

Acts 15:22

" ¶ Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the __whole church__, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; [namely], Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: "

Why dont you read these passages in context and then write me back with your best story about how the church is'nt one undevided body.....

Nsewanswer, the person who wrote this email question to me never replied with any answer refuting me on this subject, in fact in our many conversations he never replied to me with any response that refuted any subject we've ever debated on on this website. If you bother to waste your time on this man, you too will quickly notice that he will only change the subject or make nasty accusations when cornered