9: Ecclesia

1. Term: Ecclesia

Pronunciation: eh-kleh-SEE-ah
Meaning: Church; assembly or congregation of believers.

2. Biblical Usage:

  • Used in the Latin Vulgate to refer to the Christian community, both locally and universally.
  • Also appears in the Septuagint as a translation for the Hebrew qahal (assembly).

3. Example Verse:

  • Matthew 16:18 — “Super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam.”
    (“On this rock I will build my church.”)
  • Acts 20:28 — “Ecclesiam Dei, quam acquisivit sanguine suo.”
    (“The church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”)

4. Theological Significance:

  • Ecclesia emphasizes the community of believers called out for worship, mission, and fellowship.
  • Central to understanding Christian identity and ecclesiology.
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