This is the word used in most English versions as a rendering of the Greek"ekklesia." The Greek word means "a calling out," "a meeting," or "a gathering."Ekklesia is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew qahal, which means an assembly ora congregation.

The origin of the word "church" is kuriakon or kyriakon inGreek. The meaning is a building (the house of Kurios, or Lord).

Dictionaries give the origin of "church" as the Anglo-Saxon root, circe.Circe was the goddess-daughter of Helios, the Sun-deity. The word circe is related to"circus," "circle," "circuit," and "circulate."

Circe was originally a Greek goddess whose name was written and pronouncedas Kirke. The word "church" is known in Scotland as kirk, in Germany as Kirche,and in Netherlands as kerk.