What’s In A Name?

Sovereign Grace Assembly

Why did we choose this name? Because it succinctly tells people what we believe.

Sovereign – We believe that God is active in His creation, accomplishing His will and advancing His own purposes according to His predetermined will and good pleasure. He is all-powerful and all knowing; therefore His will supersedes the will and desire of every man. (Genesis 17:1, Psalm 115:3, Daniel 4:34-35, Isaiah 46:9-10, Revelation 1:8)

Grace – We believe that people are saved not by any works that they do, but by the sovereign grace of God. It is through this grace, his unmerited favor, that we have faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. Without the grace of God, no-one would recognize Jesus as their Lord and Savior. (Ephesians 2:8, John 1:16, Acts 15:11, Romans 3:24, Ephesians 4:7, 2 Timothy 1:9)

Assembly – Why do we call ourselves an Assembly rather than a church?

The word translated “church” in the New Testament is the Greek “ekklesia.”  It is composed of the little word “ek,” or “out of,” and “klesis,” meaning “a calling.”  The emphasis, though, of “ekklesia” is on the people being “called out” – they are “out called ones.”

Now, the English word “church,” handed down to us from the Celtic “kirke,” has similar roots.  The most probable etymology of “kirke” comes from “kuriakos,” which means “the Lord’s.”  But, over time the word “church” has come to represent the building where the Lord’s people meet, as opposed to designating the people themselves.  And, the best word-for-word translation of “ekklesia” is actually “assembly,” putting the emphasis back where it belongs – on the people who are called by God.

a Particular Baptist congregation

Particular Baptists hold to a “particular” (limited) atonement, as opposed to other Baptist groups who hold to a “general” (unlimited) atonement. Notable Particular Baptists in history include:

  • John Gill, the first Baptist to write an exposition of the entire bible.
  • William Carey, Considered the father of modern missions.
  • John Bunyan, minister and author of Pilgrims Progress and many other books.
  • Charles Spurgeon, called “The Prince of Preachers”.

For more on atonement, visit our Doctrines of Grace page.