Has there ALWAYS been a true church?

[shazeep]

Originally Posted by Esaias

By "church" I mean ekklesia ie an assembly. By "true church" I mean an assembly of people actually called and sanctified by the grace of God into new covenant relationship with Him through faith as taught by the apostles.

So, man's definition then, and not God's. If i get you. Is there a ref tying ecclesia and true church? Ty