CHAPEL

The term ‘Chapel’ seems to have been introduced to non-conformists in the 19th. century and became popular in to the 20th. century, to be overtaken by the 20th. century term ‘Evangelical Church’. However, where non-domestic accommodation is utilised, the name Meeting House is most appropriate, or Meeting Room where a room in a complex is used. Also, it seems, from the Scriptures, that the only Scriptural name for those who meet in the building is Congregation, or Assembly.


However, we should note. The term ‘Chapel’ has no Biblical authority whatever and it did not originate in true primitive Christianity, nor even in Judaism. The single mention of a ‘chapel’ in Amos 7;13, KJV, is an error, the correct translation being ‘sanctuary’. The word is ‘miqdash’ and it is correctly rendered sanctuary 66 times, and also acceptably rendered ‘holy place’ three times, in the KJV. A Jewish, English Language, Bible, gives this verse;- “prophesy not again any more at Beth-el, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a royal house.” Let us face it, the Rabbinical scholars know how to translate Hebrew into English better than we do and the Hebrew word ‘miqdash’ cannot, with any justification, be rendered ‘chapel’.