751. The word “Church” (Latin ecclesia, from the Greek ek-ka-lein, to “call out of”) means a convocation or an assembly. It designates the assemblies of the people, usually for a religious purpose.139 Ekklesia is used frequently in the Greek Old Testament for the assembly of the Chosen People before God, above all for their assembly on Mount Sinai where Israel received the Law and was established by God as his holy people.140 By calling itself “Church,” the first community of Christian believers recognized itself as heir to that assembly. In the Church, God is “calling together” his people from all the ends of the earth. the equivalent Greek term Kyriake, from which the English word Church and the German Kirche are derived, means “what belongs to the Lord.”
Aprofunde seus conhecimentos
202. What is the meaning of the term “body” (or “flesh”) and what importance does it have?
507. What attitude should people have toward animals?
201. Why does the Church have the power to forgive sins?
174. Why is the Church apostolic?
546. How did the Virgin Mary pray?
84. What is the meaning of the title “Lord”?
581. What place does the Our Father have in the prayer of the Church?
Acesse nossos estudos biblicos:
What is the importance of gratitude and contentment according to the book of Ecclesiastes?
What does the Bible say about the true source of comfort in times of trouble?
What is the importance of holiness in our Christian life according to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20?
How is God’s sovereignty portrayed amidst the chaos in Lamentations 2:8-9?
What is the story of Naaman and how did faith and obedience cure him of leprosy?
