Topical Encyclopedia
Advancement, in a biblical context, refers to the progress or promotion of individuals or groups in various aspects of life, including spiritual, social, and material dimensions. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on advancement, emphasizing that true progress is rooted in faithfulness to God and adherence to His commandments.
Spiritual AdvancementSpiritual advancement is a central theme in Scripture, where believers are encouraged to grow in their relationship with God and in their understanding of His will. The Apostle Paul writes about this in
Philippians 3:13-14 : "Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." Here, Paul emphasizes the importance of continual spiritual growth and striving toward the ultimate goal of eternal life with Christ.
The process of sanctification, or becoming more like Christ, is a form of spiritual advancement. In
2 Peter 3:18 , believers are exhorted to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." This growth is facilitated by the Holy Spirit and involves increasing in virtues such as love, patience, and humility.
Social and Material AdvancementThe Bible also addresses social and material advancement, often highlighting the importance of wisdom, diligence, and integrity.
Proverbs 22:29 states, "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will be stationed in the presence of kings; he will not stand before obscure men." This verse underscores the value of skill and hard work in achieving social and professional advancement.
However, the Bible warns against the pursuit of material advancement at the expense of spiritual values. In
Matthew 6:33 , Jesus instructs, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." This teaching prioritizes spiritual pursuits over material gain, assuring believers that God will provide for their needs as they focus on His kingdom.
Advancement and God's SovereigntyThroughout Scripture, it is clear that God is sovereign over all forms of advancement. He raises up leaders and brings them down according to His purposes.
Daniel 2:21 declares, "He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." This acknowledgment of God's control serves as a reminder that human advancement is ultimately subject to divine will.
The account of Joseph in Genesis is a profound example of God's hand in advancement. Despite being sold into slavery and wrongfully imprisoned, Joseph rises to become the second most powerful man in Egypt.
Genesis 50:20 reflects Joseph's understanding of God's sovereignty: "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
ConclusionIn summary, the Bible presents advancement as a multifaceted concept that encompasses spiritual growth, social progress, and material success. True advancement is achieved through faithfulness to God, diligent work, and a commitment to righteousness, all under the sovereign guidance of the Almighty.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of advancing, or the state of being advanced; progression; improvement; furtherance; promotion to a higher place or dignity; as, the advancement of learning.
2. (n.) An advance of money or value; payment in advance. See Advance.
3. (v. t.) Property given, usually by a parent to a child, in advance of a future distribution.
4. (v. t.) Settlement on a wife, or jointure.
Greek
4297. prokope -- progress... progress. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: prokope Phonetic Spelling:
(prok-op-ay') Short Definition: progress,
advancement Definition: progress
...4851. sumphero -- to bring together, to be profitable
... bring, carry") -- properly, combine in a way that brings a profit (gain), especially
by a " of circumstances" that results in benefit oradvancement (M. Vincent...
3619. oikodome -- (the act of) building, a building
... Short Definition: the act of building, a building, edification Definition: (a) the
act of building, (b) a building, (c) met: spiritualadvancement, edification...
Library
Of the Indifference which we are to have as to OurAdvancement in...
... GOD'S GOOD-PLEASURE. CHAPTER VII. OF THE INDIFFERENCE WHICH WE ARE TO HAVE
AS TO OURADVANCEMENT IN VIRTUES. God has ordained that...
Virginity a Plant from Heaven, Introduced Late; theAdvancement of...
... Discourse I."Marcella. Chapter II."Virginity a Plant from Heaven, Introduced
Late; TheAdvancement of Mankind to Perfection, How Arranged....
How to Exhort Men to Faith, Repentance, andAdvancement.
... A Treatise on nature and grace, against pelagius; Chapter 82 [LXVIII.]"
How to Exhort Men to Faith, Repentance, andAdvancement....
Introduction.
... Secker, who made his own way in the Church, and became strong enough to put his
friend as well as himself in the way of worldlyadvancement, secured for Butler...
Objections Prevented. ...
... And by His internal operation He directs us to perform such obedience, in a spiritual
manner, for the good andadvancement of our souls in His divine love....
Chapter xxxix
... We gather besides from the emphasis laid upon hisadvancement as being a very
significant one, that the estate of Potiphar must have been considerable....
Of Sufferings
... We may be assured, that there is an internaladvancement, where there is anadvancement
in the way of the Cross: Abandonment and the Cross go hand in hand...
Of Confession and Self-Examination
... cause no uneasiness; first, because this forgetfulness of our faults is some proof
of our purification from them; and in this degree ofadvancement it is best....
The Unchanging Lord
... The material must needs be subject to laws of growth and decadence. Our spiritual
nature is subject to changes arising from theadvancement in knowledge....
Letter xviii. To Januarius, Bishop of Aquileia .
... that they consider it a great indulgence, if they be allowed to remain undisturbed
in their present rank without any hope of furtheradvancement: but only on...
Thesaurus
Advancement (3 Occurrences)... act of advancing, or the state of being advanced; progression; improvement; furtherance;
promotion to a higher place or dignity; as, the
advancement of learning
...Stage (5 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) A degree ofadvancement in a journey; one of several portions into which
a road or course is marked off; the distance between two places of rest on a...
Advanced (32 Occurrences)
Good (8348 Occurrences)
... to evil. 12. (n.)Advancement of interest or happiness; welfare; prosperity;
advantage; benefit; -- opposed to harm, etc. 13. (n...
Growth (77 Occurrences)
... from a seed, germ, or root, to full size or maturity; increase in size, number,
frequency, strength, etc.; augmentation;advancement; production; prevalence or...
Improvement (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of improving;advancement or growth; promotion in desirable qualities;
progress toward what is better; melioration; as, the improvement of the...
Future (88 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The possibilities of the future; -- used especially of prospective success
oradvancement; as, he had great future before him. 4. (n.) A future tense....
Furtherance (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A helping forward; promotion;advancement; progress;
as the furtherance of an ideal. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
Forwardness (2 Occurrences)
... the gospel. 2. (n.) An advanced stage of progress or of preparation;
advancement; as, his measures were in great forwardness. 3. (n...
Root (54 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To turn up the earth with the snout, as swine. 2. (vi) Hence, to seek for
favor oradvancement by low arts or groveling servility; to fawn servilely....
Resources
What is transhumanism? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible say that an increase in technology is a sign of the end times? | GotQuestions.orgCan a person be born gay? | GotQuestions.orgAdvancement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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