Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextAssent, in a biblical context, refers to the act of agreeing or consenting to a particular truth or doctrine. It involves an intellectual acknowledgment of the truth of God's Word and the teachings of Scripture. Assent is a crucial component of faith, as it signifies the acceptance of divine revelation and the truths presented in the Bible.
Biblical UsageThe concept of assent is implicitly present throughout Scripture, where believers are called to acknowledge and accept the truths of God's Word. While the term "assent" itself may not frequently appear in the Bible, the idea is woven into the fabric of biblical teaching, particularly in relation to faith and belief.
Faith and AssentIn the New Testament, faith is often described as involving knowledge, assent, and trust. Assent is the intellectual agreement with the truths of the Gospel.
James 2:19 illustrates the insufficiency of mere intellectual assent without accompanying action: "You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that, and shudder." This verse highlights that while demons intellectually assent to the truth of God's existence, their lack of trust and obedience renders their belief incomplete.
Assent and SalvationAssent is a necessary component of saving faith.
Romans 10:9 states, "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Here, the confession of Jesus as Lord involves an assent to the truth of His lordship and resurrection. This intellectual agreement, coupled with heartfelt trust, leads to salvation.
Assent and ObedienceTrue assent to biblical truths results in obedience to God's commands. In
John 14:15 , Jesus says, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Genuine assent to the teachings of Christ is demonstrated through a life of obedience and adherence to His Word. This obedience is not merely a legalistic adherence to rules but a response of love and devotion to God.
Assent and the Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit plays a vital role in enabling believers to assent to the truths of Scripture. In
John 16:13 , Jesus promises, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth." The Holy Spirit illuminates the minds of believers, helping them to understand and assent to the truths of God's Word.
Assent in the Early ChurchThe early church emphasized the importance of assent to the apostolic teachings.
Acts 2:42 describes the early believers: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This devotion included an assent to the doctrines taught by the apostles, which formed the foundation of the church's faith and practice.
ConclusionWhile assent alone is not sufficient for a complete faith, it is an essential component of a believer's relationship with God. It involves the intellectual acceptance of biblical truths, which, when combined with trust and obedience, leads to a vibrant and living faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To express one's agreement, to acquiesce, to concur, to concede.
2. (n.) The act of assenting; the act of the mind in admitting or agreeing to anything; concurrence with approval; consent; agreement; acquiescence.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ASSENTa-sent': Twice used in the King James Version as equivalent to "voice," and to "consent," and displaced in both instances in the Revised Version (British and American) by the literal rendering of the Hebrew peh, "mouth" (2 Chronicles 18:12); and the Greek suntithemi, "agree to," i.e. "affirm" (Acts 24:9).
Greek
4909. suneudokeo -- to join in approving... 1), hearty agreement (1). allow,
assent, be pleased, have pleasure. From
sun and eudokeo; to think well of in common, ie
Assent...4852. sumphemi -- to say together, ie consent
... to say together, ie consent. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sumphemi Phonetic
Spelling: (soom'-fay-mee) Short Definition: Iassent to Definition: I...
1962. epineuo -- to nod approval
... to nod approval. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epineuo Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-een-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I nod to,assent Definition: I nod to...
4784. sugkatatithemi -- to deposit together, hence to agree with
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sugkatatithemi Phonetic Spelling:
(soong-kat-at-ith'-em-ahee) Short Definition: I give a vote with,assent to Definition...
3670. homologeo -- to speak the same, to agree
... endorse). [3670 ("confess") means to , ie "assent, agree with, confess,
declare, admit" (Vine, Unger, White, , 120).]. Word Origin...
4934. suntithemi -- to place together, hence observe, agree
... Word Origin from sun and tithemi Definition to place together, hence observe,
agree NASB Word Usage agreed (3). agree,assent, covenant....
4783. sugkatathesis -- a putting down together, ie agreement
... agreement. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sugkatathesis Phonetic
Spelling: (soong-kat-ath'-es-is) Short Definition:assent, agreement Definition...
1860. epaggelia -- a summons, a promise
... message, promise. From epaggello; an announcement (for information,assent or pledge;
especially a divine assurance of good) -- message, promise....
1843. exomologeo -- to agree, confess
... confess, profess, promise. From ek and homologeo; to acknowledge or (by implication,
ofassent) agree fully -- confess, profess, promise. see GREEK ek....
4334. proserchomai -- to approach, to draw near
... From pros and erchomai (including its alternate); to approach, ie (literally) come
near, visit, or (figuratively) worship,assent to -- (as soon as he) come...
Strong's Hebrew
6310. peh -- mouth... 7), words (3). according as after, appointment,
assent, collar, commandment,
eat, edge, end,. From pa'ah; the mouth (as the means
...225. uth -- to consent, agree
... consent (3). consent. A primitive root; properly, to come, ie (implied) toassent --
consent. 224, 225. uth. 226 . Strong's Numbers.
2974. yaal -- to show willingness, be pleased, determine...
... A primitive root (probably rather the same as ya'al through the idea of mental
weakness); properly, to yield, especiallyassent; hence (pos.) To undertake as...
4117. mahar -- to acquire by paying a purchase price
... A primitive root (perhaps rather the same as mahar through the idea of readiness
inassent); to bargain (for a wife), ie To wed -- endow, X surely....
Library
Whether to Believe is to Think withAssent?
... OF THE ACT OF FAITH (TEN ARTICLES) Whether to believe is to think withassent?
Objection 1: It would seem that to believe is not to think withassent....
Dost Thou Bid MeAssent, if any Define Time to be "Motion of a...
... Book XI Chapter XXIV Dost Thou bid meassent, if any define time to be
"motion of a body?"? Dost Thou bid meassent, if any define...
Whether to Believe is to Think withAssent
... Article One Whether to Believe is to Think withAssent. Whether to Believe is to
Think withAssent... 1. It seems that to believe is not to think withassent....
The Delusion of the Deist Lies Here: He Refuses anAssent to the...
... [Way-2-124] The delusion of the Deist lies here: he refuses anassent to
the history of? The delusion of the Deist lies here: he...
Gregory, Finding Some Dissatisfaction About his Appointment...
... Constantinople. The Emperor orders Demophilus the Arian Bishop either toassent
to the Homoousion,' or leave the City. He chooses the Latter....
The Macedonians and Acacians Meet at Antioch, and Proclaim their...
... Book III. Chapter XXV."The Macedonians and Acacians meet at Antioch,
and proclaim theirAssent to the Nicene Creed. Meanwhile...
But Let Celsus, and those whoAssent to his Charges...
... Chapter II. But let Celsus, and those whoassent to his charges? But
let Celsus, and those whoassent to his charges, tell us...
To Believe is to Think withAssent.
... A Treatise on the predestination of the saints, Chapter 5."To Believe
is to Think withAssent. And, therefore, commending that...
On the Causes of Doubt orAssent.
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Chapter VII."On the Causes of Doubt orAssent.
The causes productive of scepticism are two things principally....
Whether to Believe is Meritorious
... does not. If he has a sufficient reason, hisassent is no credit to him,
since he is not then free to believe or not to believe. If...
Thesaurus
Assent (3 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ASSENT. a
... Multi-Version Concordance
Assent (3 Occurrences). 1 Timothy 6:3 So teach and exhort. If
...Faith (769 Occurrences)
... spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are
distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in itassent, which is an act...
Nod (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To incline the head with a quick motion; to make a slight bow; to make a
motion ofassent, of salutation, or of drowsiness, with the head; as, to nod...
Consent (34 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To indicate or express a willingness; to yield to guidance, persuasion,
or necessity; to giveassent or approval; to comply....
Bow (248 Occurrences)
... incline. 3. (vt) To bend or incline, as the head or body, in token of respect,
gratitude,assent, homage, or condescension. 4. (vt...
Accede (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vi) To agree orassent to a proposal; as, to accede to a request.... Hence, to agree
orassent to a proposal or a view; as, he acceded to my request....
Assenting (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofAssent. 2. (a.) Giving or implying
assent. Multi-Version Concordance Assenting (2 Occurrences)....
Yield (78 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To give up the contest; to submit; to surrender; to succumb. 8.
(vi) To comply with; toassent; as, I yielded to his request....
Yea (867 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) Yes; ay; a word expressingassent, or an
affirmative, or an affirmative answer to a question, now superseded by yes....
Obey (219 Occurrences)
... Testament meaning the word signifies "to hear," "to listen." It carries with it,
however, the ethical significance of hearing with reverence and obedientassent...
Resources
What is the definition of faith? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that even the demons believe (James 2:19)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between faith and hope? | GotQuestions.orgAssent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
