Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextCommencement, in a biblical context, refers to the beginning or initiation of significant events, actions, or phases in the biblical narrative. It is a term that encapsulates the start of God's creative work, the inception of covenants, the launch of ministries, and the birth of the Church. The concept of commencement is pivotal in understanding the unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout Scripture.
CreationThe most profound commencement in the Bible is the creation of the world.
Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This verse marks the commencement of time, space, and matter, setting the stage for the entire biblical narrative. The creation account underscores God's sovereignty and power, as He speaks the universe into existence, establishing order and purpose.
CovenantsThroughout the Bible, God initiates covenants with His people, marking new beginnings in His relationship with humanity. The covenant with Noah, following the flood, signifies a fresh start for creation, as God promises never to destroy the earth with a flood again (
Genesis 9:11). The Abrahamic covenant marks the commencement of a chosen people through whom God would bless all nations (
Genesis 12:1-3). The Mosaic covenant at Sinai represents the beginning of Israel as a nation under God's law (Exodus 19-24).
MinistriesThe commencement of ministries is a recurring theme in the New Testament. The ministry of Jesus Christ begins with His baptism by John the Baptist, as described in
Matthew 3:16-17: "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'" This event marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, characterized by teaching, miracles, and ultimately, His sacrificial death and resurrection.
The commencement of the apostolic ministry is seen at Pentecost, as recorded in
Acts 2. The Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples, empowering them to preach the gospel with boldness. This event marks the birth of the Church and the beginning of the spread of Christianity throughout the world.
Personal CommencementsThe Bible also highlights personal commencements, such as the calling of individuals to specific roles or missions. The calling of Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3) marks the beginning of his leadership in delivering Israel from Egypt. Similarly, the conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) signifies the commencement of his mission as the Apostle Paul, a pivotal figure in the early Church.
Spiritual CommencementIn a spiritual sense, commencement can refer to the beginning of a believer's new life in Christ. This is encapsulated in
2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" This verse highlights the transformative power of salvation, marking the start of a believer's journey in faith and sanctification.
ConclusionThe theme of commencement is woven throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating the dynamic nature of God's interaction with His creation. Each beginning, whether cosmic, covenantal, ministerial, or personal, serves to advance God's eternal purposes and reveal His character to humanity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; rise; origin; beginning; start.
2. (n.) The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others.
Greek
746. arche -- beginning, origin... From archomai; (properly abstract) a
commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various
applications of order, time, place, or rank) -- beginning, corner, (at the
...Strong's Hebrew
8462. techillah -- a beginning... Tachmonite. From chalal in the sense of opening; a
commencement; rel. Original
(adverb, -ly) -- begin(-ning), first (time). see HEBREW chalal. 8461, 8462.
...Library
Commencement of Worship.
... THE CHURCH. XLIII.COMMENCEMENT OF WORSHIP. 'Rhwn sy'n peri'r mellt i hedeg
8,7,8,7,8,7,8,7. He who darts the wing??d lightning,"....
Introduction. The Writer Explains in theCommencement of this...
... On the Mysteries. Introduction. The writer explains in thecommencement
of this treatise that his object was to set? The writer...
On theCommencement of Hostilities in America.
... III. PROVIDENCES Hymn 64 On thecommencement of hostilities in America. John
Newton 8,6,8,6. On thecommencement of hostilities in America....
From theCommencement of Christ's Public Ministry to the Triumphal...
... PART I. FROM THECOMMENCEMENT OF CHRIST'S PUBLIC MINISTRY TO THE TRIUMPHAL
ENTRY.CHAPTER I. JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST."THE FIRST DISCIPLES....
In theCommencement of the Psalm are Christ's Dying Words.
... Chapter XCIX."In thecommencement of the Psalm are Christ's dying words.
And when I had said these words, I:continued: "Now I...
Removal to Stamford-Hill, andCommencement of the Fifth...
... CHAPTER XVI. REMOVAL TO STAMFORD-HILL, ANDCOMMENCEMENT OF THE FIFTH
CONTINENTAL JOURNEY. 1843-48. The tour which John and Martha...
Commencement of the Legends Concerning Jesus --His Own Idea of his...
... CHAPTER XV.COMMENCEMENT OF THE LEGENDS CONCERNING JESUS"HIS OWN IDEA
OF HIS SUPERNATURAL CHARACTER. Jesus returned to Galilee...
From theCommencement of the Revolution in 1776, to Its...
... FROM THE FIRST CONFERENCE IN 1773, TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH IN 1784 CHAPTER
2 From thecommencement of the Revolution in 1776, to its termination in...
Not Every Sin is Pride. How Pride is theCommencement of Every Sin...
... A Treatise on nature and grace, against pelagius; Chapter 33 [XXIX.]"Not Every
Sin is Pride. How Pride is theCommencement of Every Sin....
From the Close of the General Conference of 1836 to the...
... FROM THE YEAR 1829 TO THE YEAR 1840. CHAPTER 14 From the close of the General
Conference of 1836 to thecommencement of the General Conference of 1840....
Thesaurus
Commencement (22 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students
and others. Multi-Version Concordance
Commencement (22 Occurrences).
...Trumpets (52 Occurrences)
... It received its name from the circumstances that the trumpets usually blown at the
commencement of each month were on that occasion blown with unusual...
Gezer (14 Occurrences)
... According to Josephus (Ant., VIII, vi, 1), at thecommencement of Solomon's reign
Gezer was in the hands of the Philistines, which may explain 1 Kings 9:16...
Mary (50 Occurrences)
... mentioned. After thecommencement of our Lord's public ministry little notice
is taken of Mary. She was present at the marriage in Cana....
Cosmological
... the first there has been abundant speculation in religion and philosophy as to how
the world came to be-whether it was eternal, or had acommencement, and, if...
Kedesh (12 Occurrences)
... Joshua 12:22), and was the residence of Barak (Judges 4:6); and here he and Deborah
assembled the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali before thecommencement of the...
New (1850 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary New Moon, Feast of. Special services were appointed for
thecommencement of a month (Numbers 28:11-15; 10:10). (see FESTIVALS.)....
Noble (61 Occurrences)
... Luke 1:3 it has seemed right to me also, after careful investigation of the facts
from theircommencement, to write for you, most noble Theophilus, a connected...
Negligent (7 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 2:3 how shall we escape if we have been negligent of so great salvation,
which, having had itscommencement in being spoken of by the Lord, has been...
Original (6 Occurrences)
... original genius. 4. (a.) Before unused or unknown; new; as, a book full of
original matter. 5. (n.) Origin;commencement; source. 6. (n...
Resources
What does the Bible mean when it refers to the end of the age? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the day of Pentecost? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God will pour out His Spirit on all people (Joel 2:28)? | GotQuestions.orgCommencement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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