Term
Congregationalism
The doctrine of a church formed by a covenant between God and His people, characterized by local autonomy and congregational freedom.
Filed underEcclesiology
Definition
The doctrine that of a "gathered" church welded together by a covenant between God and His people. Ecclesiastically, it designates churches that are governed by a polity of local autonomy, or those there's a great deal of congregational freedom of expression.
Connections
Follow this entry through the Lexicon.
- Influenced
- BaptistsTerm
Sources
- 1.Jerald C. Brauer and B. A. Gerrish, ed. The Westminster Dictionary of Church History. (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1971). 226Original citation: Brauer, Jerald C., and B. A. Gerrish, eds. The Westminster Dictionary of Church History. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1971, 226.
Last revised August 14, 2026