King James Bible Dictionary

Spoken of counsellors who sat in public trials with the governor of a province (Acts 25:12).

The Jewish councils were the Sanhedrim, or supreme council of the nation, which had subordinate to it smaller tribunals (the "judgment," perhaps, in Matthew 5:21, 22) in the cities of Palestine (Matthew 10:17; Mark 13:9). In the time of Christ the functions of the Sanhedrim were limited (John 16:2; 2 Corinthians 11:24). In Psalms 68:27 the word "council" means simply a company of persons. (R.V. marg., "company.")

In ecclesiastical history the word is used to denote an assembly of pastors or bishops for the discussion and regulation of church affairs. The first of these councils was that of the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, of which we have a detailed account in Acts 15.

Apostolic
Acts 15:1-29

Of war
2 Samuel 16:20; 2 Samuel 17:1-15

1. The great council of the Sanhedrin, which sat at Jerusalem. [SANHEDRIN]
2. The lesser courts, (Matthew 10:17; Mark 13:9) of which there were two at Jerusalem and one in each town of Palestine. The constitution of these courts is a doubtful point. The existence of local courts, however constituted, is clearly implied in the passages quoted from the New Testament; and perhaps the "judgment," (Matthew 5:21) applies to them.
3. A kind of jury or privy council, (Acts 25:12) consisting of a certain number of assessors, who assisted Roman governors in the administration of justice and in other public matters.

COUNCIL, noun [Latin , to call, Gr. See Hold. This word is often confounded with counsel, with which it has no connection. council is a collection or assembly.]

1. An assembly of men summoned or convened for consultation, deliberation and advice.

The chief priest and all the council sought false witness. Matthew 20:1.

The kings of England were formerly assisted by a grand council or peers.

The word is applicable to any body of men, appointed or convened for consultation and advice, in important affairs; as, a council of divines or clergymen, with their lay delegates; a council of war, consisting of the principal officers, to advise the commander in chief or admiral; a council of physicians, to consult and advise in difficult cases of disease.

2. A body of men specially designated to advise a chief magistrate in the administration of the government, as in Great Britain.

3. In some of the American states, a branch of the legislature, corresponding with the senate in other states, and called legislative council

4. An assembly of prelates and doctors, convened for regulating matters of doctrine an discipline in the church.

5. Act of deliberation; consultation of a council

Common-Council of a city. In London, a court consisting of the lord mayor and aldermen in one house, and of representatives of the several wards, called common-council-men, in the other. But more generally the common-council is considered as the body of representatives of the citizens, as distinct from the mayor and aldermen. Thus in Connecticut, the cities are incorporated by the name of the The Mayor, Aldermen, Common-Council and Freemen, of the city of Hartford, New-Haven, etc.

Ecumenical council in church history, a general council or assembly of prelates and doctors, representing the whole church; as the council of Nice, of Ephesus, and of Chalcedon.

Privy council a select council for advising a king in the administration of the government.

Aulic council [See Aulic.]

COUNCIL-BOARD, noun Council-table; the table round which a council holds consultation. Hence, the council itself in deliberation or session.

COUNCILOR, noun The member of a council. [See Counselor.]

COUNCIL-TABLE, noun Council-board.