The Progress and Fruits of Congregationalism in America, Congregational Constitutions and Confessions of Faith, Parties in the Congregational Church, PART I. THE POLITY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH UNDER CHRIST AND THE APOSTLES. CHAPTER I THE NATURE AND ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH. Exzinoia, Church, from exzaleo, to call, to call together, corresponds to the Hebrew p, and signifies, 1. A convocation, an assembly, a congregation. The disor derly assembly at Ephesus, described in Acts 19: 24-41, is called, in verses 32 and 40, an exxho, ecclesia. The name is applied, in verse 39, to a lawful assembly, evrouw exzhyσią. 2. The people of God under the Mosaic dispensation. Acts 7:38. This is he that was with the exxoia, church, in the wilderness." The general assemblies, in an especial manner, were called by this name. Septuagint, Deut. 18: 16; 2 Chron. 1: 3, 5; 1 Macc. 2: 56; 4: 59. 3. An assembly of Christians, a Christian congregation. 1 Cor. 11: 18.- -"For first I hear that when ye are come together in exxλno, meeting (in an assembly), there are divisions among you, and I partly believe it." 4. A Christian church, a society of Christians ordinarily meeting in the same congregation, and residing in the same place. The church at Jerusalem. Acts 2: 4, 7. — And the Lord |