The word “church” is in very common use, yet perhaps comparatively few of those who use it realize that it is from a Greek word which means “called out,” and that it applies to Israel more than to any other people. They constituted God’s church; they had been called out of Egypt. In the Old Testament they are referred to as “the congregation,” that is, those who were assembled or had flocked together; for they formed the Lord’s flock, of which He was Shepherd. God is known as the “Shepherd of Israel.” (Psalm 80:1; see also 23:1.) So the church in later times is called God’s flock. 1Acts 20:28. Stephen, in his talk before the Sanhedrim, spoke of Israel as “the church in the wilderness.” EVCO 399.2