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
215. When will this judgment occur?
597. Why do we conclude by asking “But deliver us from evil”?
178. How are the people of God formed?
313. How was sickness viewed in the Old Testament?
83. In what sense is Jesus the Only Begotten Son of God?
282. How is Christ present in the Eucharist?
319. What are the effects of this sacrament?
Acesse nossos estudos biblicos:
What is the meaning of David’s song of gratitude to God?
The Light of the World: Jesus is the light that illuminates the darkness (John 8:12)
How does Esther’s story tell the Jewish people’s story of redemption?
What is the significance of Aeneas’ healing and Dorcas’ resurrection in Acts 9:32-43?
What does the promise of salvation amid darkness in Micah 7:7 mean?
