What's A "Church"?

What is likely to be the first Christian church, located in Capernum, Peter's house. 

We use the term "church" pretty loosely today.  It could mean a religious building, a group of people, or every person who believes in Jesus. 


In the book of Revelation, the word translated "church" is ekklesia which literally means "called out" and is used for a group of people gathered together for a purpose.  In the book of Acts it is once used for a mob (Acts 19:32) and in the Greek Hebrew Scriptures ekklesia is often used of the congregation of Israel, namely those who are able to enter the temple (e.g. Deuteronomy 23:1).  


In Revelation, ekklesia is speaking of Jesus synagogues.  This makes sense since the Greek synagogue is a synonym of ekklesia in the Greek OT.   It is best to translate ekklesia "congregation" or "fellowship" in Revelation.