Kingdom Language & Definitions
If you’ve heard these words tossed around in a sermon and felt like you missed a glossary page, don’t worry — you’re not alone. At Highway, we use specific terms not to sound “religious”, but to recapture the historic and revolutionary meaning of what Jesus actually said.
Evangelion
the “Gospel” — originally a political term, not a religious one
Commonly translated as “Gospel”, this word was originally a royal proclamation.
- The “Good News”: it refers to a royal announcement.
- Announcement of the King: in the ancient world, an evangelion was the official announcement that a new King (or Emperor) had taken the throne.
- Our message: when we speak the Gospel, we are announcing that Jesus is the rightful King over every area of life.
Kingdom of God / Heaven
the authority and atmosphere of God breaking into the here and now
This isn’t just a place we go when we die; it is the authority and atmosphere of God breaking into the present.
- Intentional atmosphere: we believe the Kingdom advances when we intentionally create an atmosphere of grace, truth, and love.
- Our place as ambassadors: we don’t just “attend” church; we are official representatives sent to reflect the King’s character to the world around us.
Ecclesia
the Greek word for “Church” — much more than a building
An ecclesia meant far more than a building or a weekly meeting.
- The “called-out”: it refers to a gathering of citizens called out from their homes for a specific purpose.
- Representative governance: an ecclesia was a body of representatives tasked to conduct business on behalf of their constituents.
- Our mission: as the Church, we are called to conduct the “business” of Heaven — healing, restoration, and justice — on behalf of the world.
The Grace Covenant
the “new contract” God has made with us through Jesus
- A new foundation: it is a relationship based on His performance, not ours.
- Discovery: this is a deep well of truth that defines our identity — a life-changing revelation worth a lifetime of digging.
- How does it change your perspective to think of “Church” (Ecclesia) as a group of representatives rather than just a weekly meeting?
- Which of these definitions helps you understand Jesus’ mission more clearly?
Want to hear these words in context? Join us on a Sunday or dig into the blog and sermon archive.