Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of "accredit" is closely related to the ideas of validation, endorsement, and the conferring of authority or legitimacy. While the specific term "accredit" may not appear directly in the Berean Standard Bible, the underlying principles are evident throughout Scripture, particularly in the context of divine approval and the authentication of God's messengers and their message.
Divine Accreditation of Jesus ChristOne of the clearest examples of divine accreditation in the Bible is the ministry of Jesus Christ. God the Father accredited Jesus through various means, including miracles, signs, and wonders. In
Acts 2:22, the Apostle Peter addresses the crowd at Pentecost, saying, "Men of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know" . This passage highlights that Jesus' miraculous works served as divine validation of His identity and mission.
Accreditation of Apostles and ProphetsSimilarly, the apostles and prophets were accredited by God to carry out their ministries. The Apostle Paul, for instance, often defended his apostolic authority by pointing to the signs and wonders performed through him as evidence of his divine commissioning. In
2 Corinthians 12:12, Paul states, "The signs of an apostle were performed with great perseverance among you, including signs and wonders and miracles" . These acts served as God's endorsement of Paul's ministry and message.
Accreditation through the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in accrediting believers and their ministries. In the early church, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost served as a divine accreditation of the apostles' message and the birth of the church.
Acts 1:8 records Jesus' promise to His disciples: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" . The empowerment by the Holy Spirit was a divine endorsement of their mission to spread the Gospel.
Accreditation of ScriptureThe Bible itself is accredited as the authoritative Word of God. The process of canonization, guided by the Holy Spirit, involved recognizing the divine inspiration and authority of the biblical texts. In
2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul writes, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work" . This passage underscores the divine accreditation of Scripture as the ultimate guide for faith and practice.
Accreditation in the Life of BelieversFor individual believers, accreditation can be understood as living a life that reflects God's approval and endorsement. This involves bearing the fruit of the Spirit and living in accordance with God's commandments. In
Matthew 5:16, Jesus instructs, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" . A believer's life, marked by good works and godly character, serves as a testament to God's transformative power and approval.
Throughout the Bible, the concept of accreditation is integral to understanding how God validates His messengers, their message, and His Word. Whether through miracles, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, or the testimony of a godly life, divine accreditation serves to affirm the truth and authority of God's work in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To invest with credit or authority; to sanction; as to accredit a school.
2. (v. t.) To send with letters credential, as an ambassador, envoy, or diplomatic agent; to authorize, as a messenger or delegate.
3. (v. t.) To believe; to credit; to put trust in.
4. (v. t.) To credit; to vouch for or consider (some one) as doing something, or (something) as belonging to some one.
Greek
584. apodeiknumi -- to bring out, show forth, declare... approve, set forth, show. From apo and deiknuo; to show off, ie Exhibit; figuratively,
to demonstrate, ie
Accredit -- (ap-)prove, set forth, shew.
...Library
Acts XV
... But they were as yet too little accustomed to reflection upon the profound mystery
of apostolic infallibility to properlyaccredit it; and their deep...
Preface.
... If weaccredit these documents, the history of the early Church is thrown into a
state of hopeless confusion; and men, taught and honoured by the apostles...
After the Death of Constans, the Western Emperor, Paul and...
... And his having undertaken to ordain out of the limits of his own diocese,
tended not a little toaccredit the accusations against him....
Xavier
... Not only does Edward Caswall, the translator,accredit it to him, but both the editor
and the assistant editor of Julian's Dictionary also decide in favor of...
His Precautions against the Persecutions of the Sanhedrim.
... as Galilee, but should make his followers, gathered from different quarters to the
feast at Jerusalem, witnesses of his miracles, andaccredit himself as...
Christ's Distinction Between the Material Element of Miracles and...
... of the miracle, ie, its effect in satisfying a momentary want, and its formal part,
as a sign to point from objects of sense to God, and toaccredit himself as...
The Signs of the Times. (Luke, xii. , 54. )
... Matt., xvi., 1. In a very similar discourse the Pharisees demanded a sign from heaven
toaccredit his calling; he told them severely, that if they would only...
Of the Erythr??an Sibyl, who Pointed in a Prophetic Acrostic at...
... such testimony it is evident that even those who blaspheme his name must acknowledge
that he is God, and the Son of God if indeed they willaccredit the words...
How, While He was Praying, God Sent Him a vision of a Cross of...
... this history, [3108] when he was honored with his acquaintance and society, and
confirmed his statement by an oath, who could hesitate toaccredit the relation...
Introductory Remarks.
... and deceiver,"dupe of his own mystical enthusiasm in believing in his own miracles,
willful deceiver in tampering with evidence in order toaccredit himself....
Thesaurus
Accredit (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To invest with credit or authority; to sanction;
as to
accredit a school.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Accredit (1 Occurrence).
...Accredited (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofAccredit. Multi-Version Concordance Accredited
(1 Occurrence). Acts 2:22 "Listen, Israelites, to what I say....
Accoz
Kind (290 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Corinthians 16:3 And when I am with you, whatever brethren youaccredit
by letter I will send to carry your kind gift to Jerusalem. (WEY)....
Whatever (411 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY YLT). 1 Corinthians 16:3 And when I am with you, whatever brethren you
accredit by letter I will send to carry your kind gift to Jerusalem. (WEY)....
Resources
How should Christians view the idea of Muslims having dreams/visions about Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgAccredit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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