Topical Encyclopedia
A chapel is a place of worship that is often smaller and more intimate than a traditional church building. While the term "chapel" is not explicitly found in the Bible, the concept of a dedicated space for prayer and worship is deeply rooted in biblical tradition. Chapels are typically associated with specific communities, institutions, or private estates, serving as a venue for worship, prayer, and religious instruction.
Biblical FoundationsThe idea of a designated place for worship can be traced back to the Old Testament. The Israelites were instructed to build the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary, as a place for God to dwell among them (
Exodus 25:8-9). Later, Solomon constructed the Temple in Jerusalem, a permanent structure for worship and sacrifice (1 Kings 6). These sacred spaces were central to the religious life of the Israelites, serving as places where they could gather to worship God and offer sacrifices.
In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of worshiping God "in spirit and truth" (
John 4:24), suggesting that the physical location is secondary to the heart's posture in worship. The early Christians met in homes for prayer and fellowship (
Acts 2:46), indicating that the early church did not rely on grand structures for worship but rather on the community of believers.
Historical DevelopmentThe concept of chapels emerged as Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. As the faith grew, so did the need for additional places of worship. Chapels were often established in rural areas, monasteries, and castles, providing a place for local communities or specific groups to gather for worship. They were also built as part of larger church complexes, serving as auxiliary spaces for prayer and smaller gatherings.
During the Middle Ages, chapels became more common, often dedicated to specific saints or events in the life of Christ. The Reformation brought changes to the use and design of chapels, with a focus on simplicity and the preaching of the Word.
Modern UsageToday, chapels can be found in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, military bases, and airports. They serve as places of solace and reflection, offering individuals a quiet space to pray and seek God. In some denominations, chapels are used for specific services such as weddings, funerals, or daily prayers.
Spiritual SignificanceWhile chapels may vary in size and style, their purpose remains consistent: to provide a space for individuals and communities to encounter God. They remind believers of the importance of setting aside time and space for worship and reflection, echoing the biblical call to "be still, and know that I am God" (
Psalm 46:10).
In summary, chapels, though not explicitly mentioned in Scripture, embody the biblical principle of creating dedicated spaces for worship and communion with God. They continue to play a vital role in the spiritual lives of many Christians, offering a place to draw near to God in prayer and worship.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A holy place or sanctuary, occurs only in
Amos 7:13, where one of the idol priests calls Bethel "the king's chapel."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A subordinate place of worship
2. (n.) a small church, often a private foundation, as for a memorial
3. (n.) a small building attached to a church
4. (n.) a room or recess in a church, containing an altar.
5. (n.) A place of worship not connected with a church; as, the chapel of a palace, hospital, or prison.
6. (n.) In England, a place of worship used by dissenters from the Established Church; a meetinghouse.
7. (n.) A choir of singers, or an orchestra, attached to the court of a prince or nobleman.
8. (n.) A printing office, said to be so called because printing was first carried on in England in a chapel near Westminster Abbey.
9. (n.) An association of workmen in a printing office.
10. (v. t.) To deposit or inter in a chapel; to enshrine.
11. (v. t.) To cause (a ship taken aback in a light breeze) so to turn or make a circuit as to recover, without bracing the yards, the same tack on which she had been sailing.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CHAPELchap'-el (miqdash, "a holy place"; the Revised Version (British and American) SANCTUARY, which see): "It is the king's chapel" (Amos 7:13 the King James Version), an expression indicative of the dependence of this sanctuary on the court.
Greek
4335. proseuche -- prayer... earnest prayer. From proseuchomai; prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory
(
chapel) -- X pray earnestly, prayer. see GREEK proseuchomai.
...Strong's Hebrew
4720. miqdash -- a sacred place, sanctuary... part (1), sanctuaries (5), sanctuary (65).
chapel, hallowed part, holy place,
sanctuary. Or miqqdash (Exod. 15:17) {mik-ked-awsh'}; from
...Library
Mornings in the CollegeChapel
Mornings in the CollegeChapel. <. Mornings in the CollegeChapel Francis
Greenwood Peabody. Produced by Al Haines Table of Contents. Title Page....
For the Opening of aChapel and Sunday School.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCCIV. For the Opening of aChapel and Sunday School. 7.7.7.7
James Montgomery. For the Opening of aChapel and Sunday School....
City RoadChapel Opened
... Chapter 18. On the Isle of Man; City RoadChapel; Wesley Visits Lorg George
Gordon City RoadChapel Opened. Sunday, November 1, was...
City RoadChapel Begun
... Chapter 18. On the Isle of Man; City RoadChapel; Wesley Visits Lorg George
Gordon City RoadChapel Begun. Monday, April 21, was...
"It is the King'sChapel. " Amos vii. 13
... "IT IS THE KING'SCHAPEL." AMOS vii.... It is in the king'schapel where I will preach
as I never preach anywhere else, for it is Jeroboam against whom I am sent....
New VillageChapel.
... CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. NEW VILLAGECHAPEL. Up to the year 1864, one building in
Singonahully, had served the double purpose ofchapel and school-room....
The Wages of Sin (Chapel Royal June, 1864)
... SERMON IV. THE WAGES OF SIN (Chapel Royal June, 1864). ROM. vi.21-23. What
fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed?...
Within King's CollegeChapel
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCLXII WITHIN KING'S COLLEGECHAPEL.
Tax not the royal Saint with vain expense, With ill-match...
Address in LambethChapel, at the First Session of the Lambeth...
... IV. ADDRESS IN LAMBETHCHAPEL, AT THE FIRST SESSION OF THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE,
JULY 3, 1888/. Most reverend and right reverend brethren...
Mornings in the CollegeChapel
Mornings in the CollegeChapel. <.... Title Page. Mornings in the
CollegeChapel. SHORT ADDRESSES TO YOUNG MEN ON PERSONAL...
Thesaurus
Chapel (1 Occurrence)... Easton's Bible Dictionary A holy place or sanctuary, occurs only in Amos 7:13,
where one of the idol priests calls Bethel "the king's
chapel.".
...Tower (74 Occurrences)
... As religious ceremonies were performed thereon, they were generally surmounted
by achapel in which sacred objects or images were kept....
Sinai (38 Occurrences)
... of Israel. 4. Description of Jebel Musu: Jebel Musa has two main tops,
that to the Southeast being crowned by achapel. The other...
Zarephath (4 Occurrences)
... Probably here the Crusaders erected achapel on what they believed to be the
site of the widow's house. W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance...
Jokneam (5 Occurrences)
... steep. It is crowned by the ruins of an 18th-century fortress. A little
lower down are the remains of a smallchapel. There are...
Eunuch (20 Occurrences)
... and Romans. It is said that even to-day there are some in Rome who are
employed in singing soprano in the SistineChapel. Three...
Bethel (67 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A place of worship; a hallowed spot. 2. (n.)
Achapel for dissenters. 3. (n.) A house of worship for seamen. Int....
Bush (14 Occurrences)
... It is stated by Post that a bush of this plant has been planted by the monks of
the Convent of Catherine at Sinai to the rear of the "Chapel of the Burning Bush...
Chaphenatha
Chaplet (2 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A tuft of feathers on a peacock's head. 7. (n.) A smallchapel or shrine.
8. (vt) To adorn with a chaplet or with flowers. Multi-Version Concordance...
Resources
What is Calvary Chapel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a chapel? | GotQuestions.orgAre the teachings of Arnold Murray and Shepherd's Chapel biblical? | GotQuestions.orgChapel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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Bible Encyclopedia •
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