Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terms, a "council" refers to an assembly or gathering of individuals convened for the purpose of deliberation, decision-making, or providing advice. Councils in the Bible can be both formal and informal, and they play significant roles in the governance, religious life, and judicial processes of the people of Israel and the early Christian church.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, councils often involved leaders, elders, or advisors who gathered to discuss matters of national importance, legal issues, or spiritual guidance. One notable example is the council of elders who assisted Moses in leading the Israelites. In Exodus 18:24-26, Moses heeds the advice of his father-in-law Jethro and appoints capable men as leaders over the people to serve as judges in minor disputes, reserving the most difficult cases for himself. The term "council" is also used in a more divine context, referring to the heavenly assembly of God. In Psalm 82:1 , it is written, "God presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods." This portrays a celestial council where God exercises His sovereign authority. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the concept of a council is prominently seen in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council in Jerusalem. The Sanhedrin was composed of chief priests, scribes, and elders, and it held significant religious and legal authority. The Gospels and Acts frequently mention the Sanhedrin, particularly in the context of the trials of Jesus and the apostles. For instance, in Mark 14:55 , "The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any." The early Christian church also held councils to address doctrinal and practical issues. The most notable is the Council of Jerusalem, described in Acts 15. This council was convened to resolve the controversy over whether Gentile converts to Christianity were required to observe the Mosaic Law. The apostles and elders gathered to deliberate, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they concluded that Gentile believers should not be burdened with the full yoke of the law, as stated in Acts 15:28-29 : "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements." Role and Significance Councils in the Bible serve as a means of collective decision-making and discernment, often seeking divine guidance in their deliberations. They reflect the communal and hierarchical nature of leadership in both the Old and New Testaments. Whether in the form of the Sanhedrin or the early church councils, these gatherings underscore the importance of unity, wisdom, and the pursuit of truth in the life of God's people. Smith's Bible Dictionary Council
ATS Bible Dictionary CouncilIs occasionally taken for any kind of assembly; sometimes for that of the Sanhedrin; at others, for a convention of pastors met to regulate ecclesiastical affairs. Thus the assembly of the apostles, etc., at Jerusalem, Acts 15:1-41, to determine whether the yoke of the law should be imposed on gentile converts, is commonly reputed to be the first council of the Christian church. See SANHEDRIN. Easton's Bible Dictionary Spoken of counsellors who sat in public trials with the governor of a province (Acts 25:12).The Jewish councils were the Sanhedrim, or supreme council of the nation, which had subordinate to it smaller tribunals (the "judgment, " perhaps, in Matthew 5:21, 22) in the cities of Palestine (Matthew 10:17; Mark 13:9). In the time of Christ the functions of the Sanhedrim were limited (John 16:2; 2 Corinthians 11:24). In Psalm 68:27 the word "council" means simply a company of persons. (R.V. marg., "company.") In ecclesiastical history the word is used to denote an assembly of pastors or bishops for the discussion and regulation of church affairs. The first of these councils was that of the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, of which we have a detailed account in Acts 15. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) An assembly of men summoned or convened for consultation, deliberation, or advice; as, a council of physicians for consultation in a critical case.2. (n.) A body of man elected or appointed to constitute an advisory or a legislative assembly; as, a governor's council; a city council. 3. (n.) Act of deliberating; deliberation; consultation. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia APOSTOLICAL COUNCILap-os-tol'-i-kal koun'-sil: The assembly of the apostles and elders held in Jerusalem (49 A.D.), an account of which is given in Acts 15. COUNCIL; COUNCILLOR koun'-sil, koun'-siler (sumboulion): An assembly of advisers (Acts 25:12); a body of those taking counsel (see Schurer's Jewish People in the Time of Christ, I (1), 60). Distinguished from sunedrion, the supreme court of the Jews, by being of a less formal character, i.e. less of an institution. For "council" in the latter sense, its most frequent use, see SANHEDRIN. A councilor (Greek bouleutes) was a member of the Sanhedrin. Applied to Joseph of Arimathea (Mark 15:43 Luke 23:50). In the King James Version "counsellor." Greek 4892. sunedrion -- a sitting together, hence a council, spec. the ... ... a sitting together, hence a council, spec. ... Word Origin from sun and the same as hedraios Definition a sitting together, hence a council, spec. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4892.htm - 8k 4824. sumboulion -- counsel, by impl. a council 1087. gerousia -- a council of elders 1010. bouleutes -- a councilor 4244. presbuterion -- a body of elders 698. Areopagites -- a judge of the court of Areopagus 4245. presbuteros -- elder 4410. protokathedria -- the chief seat Strong's Hebrew 5475. sod -- council, counsel... 5474, 5475. sod. 5476 . council, counsel. Transliteration: sod Phonetic Spelling: (sode) Short Definition: council. Word Origin ... /hebrew/5475.htm - 6k 7277. rigmah -- a heap (of stones), crowd (of people) Library The Council of Nic??a. Council of Constantinople. The Council of Ephesus. ... Council of Nic??a. The Council of Sardica. The Capitula of the Council. The Council of Neoc??sarea. The Council of Gangra. The Council of Ancyra. Council of Milan. Thesaurus Council (51 Occurrences)... The Jewish councils were the Sanhedrim, or supreme council of the nation, which had subordinate to it smaller tribunals (the "judgment, " perhaps, in Matthew 5 ... /c/council.htm - 24k Senate (1 Occurrence) Sanhedrim (20 Occurrences) Raca (1 Occurrence) Praetorian (2 Occurrences) Senator Deutero-canonical Deuterocanonical Wanting (27 Occurrences) Respected (28 Occurrences) Resources What was the significance of the Council of Chalcedon? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened at the Council of Constantinople? | GotQuestions.org What is the National Council of Churches? | GotQuestions.org Council: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Council (51 Occurrences)Matthew 5:22 Matthew 12:14 Matthew 22:15 Matthew 26:59 Mark 14:55 Mark 15:1 Mark 15:43 Luke 22:66 Luke 23:50 Luke 23:51 John 3:1 John 11:47 Acts 4:15 Acts 4:26 Acts 4:28 Acts 5:21 Acts 5:27 Acts 5:34 Acts 5:41 Acts 6:12 Acts 6:15 Acts 17:33 Acts 17:34 Acts 22:5 Acts 22:30 Acts 23:1 Acts 23:6 Acts 23:15 Acts 23:20 Acts 23:28 Acts 24:20 Acts 25:12 1 Timothy 4:14 Genesis 49:6 Numbers 16:2 Judges 20:7 1 Samuel 22:14 2 Samuel 23:23 2 Kings 9:5 2 Kings 25:19 1 Chronicles 11:25 Job 15:8 Psalms 64:2 Psalms 68:27 Psalms 82:1 Psalms 89:7 Psalms 107:32 Psalms 111:1 Jeremiah 23:18 Jeremiah 23:22 Ezekiel 13:9 Subtopics Related Terms |
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