Topical Encyclopedia
The term "convene" refers to the act of calling together an assembly or gathering for a specific purpose. In the context of the Bible, convening often involves the gathering of people for religious, judicial, or communal purposes. The concept of convening is integral to the life and practices of the people of Israel and the early Christian church.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, convening is frequently associated with the assembly of the Israelites for worship, instruction, or decision-making. One of the most significant examples is the gathering of the Israelites at Mount Sinai, where God gave the Ten Commandments.
Exodus 19:17 states, "Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain." This convening was a divine appointment, emphasizing the importance of communal worship and obedience to God's law.
The concept of convening is also evident in the regular assemblies commanded by God, such as the feasts and festivals.
Leviticus 23 outlines various appointed times, including the Sabbath, Passover, and the Feast of Tabernacles, where the Israelites were to gather for worship and celebration. These convocations served to unite the community in remembrance of God's acts and to reinforce their identity as His chosen people.
Judicial and Leadership AssembliesConvene also pertains to the judicial and leadership gatherings in Israel. The elders and leaders of the tribes would convene to make decisions and administer justice. In
Deuteronomy 31:28 , Moses instructs, "Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and all your officials, so that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them." Such assemblies were crucial for maintaining order and ensuring that the community adhered to God's statutes.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of convening takes on new dimensions with the establishment of the early church. The apostles and early Christians frequently convened for prayer, teaching, and fellowship.
Acts 2:42 describes the early believers: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." These gatherings were foundational for the growth and unity of the church.
The Jerusalem Council, as recorded in
Acts 15, is a notable example of convening for decision-making in the early church. The apostles and elders gathered to address the issue of Gentile believers and the requirements of the Mosaic Law.
Acts 15:6 states, "So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter." This assembly highlights the importance of convening to seek divine guidance and maintain doctrinal purity.
Spiritual SignificanceThe act of convening holds spiritual significance as it reflects the communal nature of God's people.
Hebrews 10:25 exhorts believers, "Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Convening is not merely a physical gathering but a spiritual exercise that fosters encouragement, accountability, and growth in faith.
Throughout Scripture, the act of convening underscores the importance of community, worship, and obedience to God. Whether in the context of Israel's assemblies or the gatherings of the early church, convening serves as a vital expression of faith and unity among God's people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To call together; to summon; to unite; as, to convene a meeting of the elders.
2. (v. i.) To come together, as in one body or for a public purpose; to meet; to assemble.
3. (v. t.) To cause to assemble; to call together; to convoke.
4. (v. t.) To summon judicially to meet or appear.
Greek
4905. sunerchomai -- to come together, by ext. to accompany... From sun and erchomai; to
convene, depart in company with, associate with, or
(specially), cohabit (conjugally) -- accompany, assemble (with), come (together
...4836. sumparaginomai -- to be present together
... come together, stand with. From sun and paraginomai; to be present together, ie
Toconvene; by implication, to appear in aid -- come together, stand with....
4867. sunathroizo -- to gather together
... call together. From sun and athroizo (to hoard); toconvene -- call (gather)
together. see GREEK sun. (ethroismenous) -- 1 Occurrence....
4871. sunalizo -- to assemble with
... assemble From sun and halizo (to throng); to accumulate, ieConvene -- assemble
together. see GREEK sun. (sunalizomenos) -- 1 Occurrence. 4870, 4871....
4863. sunago -- to lead together, ie bring together, hence come...
... From sun and ago; to lead together, ie Collect orconvene; specially, to entertain
(hospitably) -- + accompany, assemble (selves, together), bestow, come...
Strong's Hebrew
2199. zaaq -- to cry, cry out, call... A primitive root; to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald)
to announce or
convene publicly -- assemble, call (together), (make a) cry (out
...Library
The Emperor Purposed, on Account of the Heresy of Aetius and the...
... Book IV. Chapter XVI."The Emperor purposed, on account of the Heresy of A?�tius and
the Innovations in Antioch, toconvene a Council at Nicomedia; but as an...
From the Saying of Our Lord we Know that the Flesh is Weak...
... Let the spirit holdconvene with the flesh about the common salvation, thinking
no longer of the troubles of the prison, but of the wrestle and conflict for...
Knox's Book of Common Order.
... "A thing most expedient and necessary that every Kirk have a Bible in English, and
that the people be commanded toconvene and hear the plain reading and...
The Transplanting of Congregationalism
... Finding it necessary, in 1614, toconvene his lords, squires, and burgesses, the
king was disappointed to find that the new Parliament was no more pliable to...
Protest of the Princes
... meeting of a general council; but no sooner had the dangers passed which secured
this concession, than the emperor summoned a second Diet toconvene at Spires...
Protest of the Princes.
... meeting of a general council; but no sooner had the dangers passed which secured
this concession, than the emperor summoned a second Diet toconvene at Spires...
Of the Presbyter Anastasius, by whom the Faith of Nestorius was...
... on the Church the dogmas of Paul of Samosata and Photinus; and so great a clamor
was raised by the contention that it was deemed requisite toconvene a general...
Epiphanius Bishop of Cyprus Convenes a Synod to Condemn the Books...
... He then managed it so that Epiphanius by letter shouldconvene a Synod of the
bishops in Cyprus, in order to condemn the writings of Origen....
Cruelty of Macedonius, and Tumults Raised by Him.
... In what manner they undertook toconvene a Synod, we will explain somewhat later.
Let us now briefly mention a few of their previous acts....
Of the Synod at Ariminum, and the Creed There Published.
... The emperor on being apprised of what had taken place, sent these three bishops
into exile; and determined toconvene an ecumenical council, that by drawing...
Thesaurus
Convene (6 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To call together; to summon; to unite; as,
to
convene a meeting of the elders.
...Convene (6 Occurrences).
...Convened (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofConvene. Multi-Version Concordance
Convened (13 Occurrences). John 11:47 Then the chief...
Assemble (77 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To collect into one place or body; to
bring or call together; toconvene; to congregate. 2. (vi...
Jordan's (4 Occurrences)
... And who is chosen? on her I lay a charge, For who 'is' like Me? And who dothconvene
Me? And who 'is' this shepherd who standeth before Me? (See NIV)....
Whomever (22 Occurrences)
... And who is chosen? on her I lay a charge, For who 'is' like Me? And who dothconvene
Me? And who 'is' this shepherd who standeth before Me? (See RSV)....
Convent
... 4. (vi) To meet together; to concur. 5. (vi) To be convenient; to serve. 6. (vt)
To call before a judge or judicature; to summon; toconvene. Int....
Contest (7 Occurrences)
... said, "Let them arise!" (See NAS). Job 9:19 If of power, lo, the Strong
One; And if of judgment -- who dothconvene me? (See RSV)....
Challenge (6 Occurrences)
... And who is chosen? on her I lay a charge, For who 'is' like Me? And who dothconvene
Me? And who 'is' this shepherd who standeth before Me? (See NIV)....
Contumely (2 Occurrences)
Sheepfold (3 Occurrences)
... And who is chosen? on her I lay a charge, For who 'is' like Me? And who dothconvene
Me? And who 'is' this shepherd who standeth before Me? (See RSV)....
Resources
What happened at the Council of Trent? | GotQuestions.orgConvene: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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