Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "commission" refers to a mandate or authoritative charge given by God or Jesus Christ to individuals or groups to carry out specific tasks or missions. This concept is central to the understanding of the roles and responsibilities of believers as they engage in God's work on earth.
The Great CommissionThe most well-known instance of a commission in the Bible is the Great Commission, given by Jesus Christ to His disciples after His resurrection. This is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew:
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (
Matthew 28:19-20)
This commission underscores the universal scope of the Gospel message and the responsibility of believers to spread the teachings of Christ throughout the world. It emphasizes the importance of discipleship, baptism, and obedience to Christ's commands.
Old Testament CommissionsThe concept of a divine commission is also present in the Old Testament. God often commissioned prophets, judges, and leaders to fulfill His purposes. For example, Moses was commissioned to lead the Israelites out of Egypt:
"Now go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt." (
Exodus 3:10)
Similarly, Joshua was commissioned to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land after Moses' death:
"Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them." (
Joshua 1:6)
These commissions were accompanied by divine assurance and guidance, highlighting God's active role in the fulfillment of His plans.
Prophetic CommissionsProphets in the Old Testament were often commissioned by God to deliver His messages to the people of Israel. Isaiah's commission is a notable example:
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (
Isaiah 6:8)
Isaiah's response to God's call exemplifies the willingness and readiness expected of those who are commissioned by God.
New Testament CommissionsIn addition to the Great Commission, the New Testament contains other instances where individuals are commissioned for specific tasks. The Apostle Paul, for example, received a commission to preach to the Gentiles:
"But rise and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of Me." (
Acts 26:16)
Paul's commission highlights the expansion of the Gospel beyond the Jewish community and the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan.
The Role of the Holy SpiritThe fulfillment of these commissions is often empowered by the Holy Spirit. In the Great Commission, Jesus promises His presence, which is realized through the Holy Spirit's indwelling in believers. The Holy Spirit equips and empowers Christians to carry out their God-given missions, providing guidance, strength, and boldness.
ConclusionThe concept of commission in the Bible is integral to understanding the mission and purpose of God's people. Whether through the Great Commission or individual callings, believers are charged with the responsibility to advance God's kingdom on earth, relying on His presence and power to accomplish the tasks set before them.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of granting authority; also a sales fee to a brokerage.
2. (n.) The act of intrusting; a charge; instructions as to how a trust shall be executed.
3. (n.) The duty or employment entrusted to any person or persons; a trust; a charge.
4. (n.) A formal written warrant or authority, granting certain powers or privileges and authorizing or commanding the performance of certain duties.
5. (n.) A certificate conferring military or naval rank and authority; as, a colonel's commission.
6. (n.) A company of persons joined in the performance of some duty or the execution of some trust; as, the interstate commerce commission.
7. (n.) The acting under authority of, or on account of, another.
8. (n.) The thing to be done as agent for another; as, I have three commissions for the city.
9. (n.) The brokerage or allowance made to a factor or agent for transacting business for another; as, a commission of ten per cent on sales. See Del credere.
10. (v. t.) To give a commission to; to furnish with a commission; to empower or authorize; as, to commission persons to perform certain acts; to commission an officer.
11. (v. t.) To send out with a charge or commission.
Greek
2011. epitrope -- authority... authority. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epitrope Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-trop-ay') Short Definition:
commission, full power Definition
...651. apostole -- a sending away
... a sending away. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apostole Phonetic
Spelling: (ap-os-tol-ay') Short Definition:commission, duty of apostle...
1291. diastello -- to set apart, fig. to distinguish, to charge...
... expressly. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diastello Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-as-tel'-lom-ahee) Short Definition: I give acommission, order Definition:...
3201. memphomai -- to blame, find fault
... rejected because condemned") -- find fault, see as fully blameworthy (disgraceful,
condemnable); hence, rejected because deep wrongs by omission orcommission....
2855. kollubistes -- a moneychanger
... 2855 -- properly, a charge ("commission") given to someone making a transaction
or exchange; in the NT a , converting "heathen currency" into "Jewish money" so...
649. apostello -- to send, send away
... Spelling: (ap-os-tel'-lo) Short Definition: I send forth, send, send away, dismiss
Definition: I send forth, send (as a messenger,commission, etc.), send away...
652. apostolos -- a messenger, one sent on a mission, an apostle
... Cognate: 652 (from 649 , "tocommission, send forth") -- properly, someone sent
(commissioned), focusing back on the authority (commissioning) of the sender...
1821. exapostello -- to send forth or away
... task). 1821 (from 1537 , "out from" intensifying 649 , "commission, send
forth") -- properly, send ("sent out from"). Word Origin...
273. amemptos -- blameless
... 273 (an adjective, derived from 1 "not" and 3201 , "to find blame") -- properly,
without fault; , by omission orcommission; hence, above reproach because...
Strong's Hebrew
1881. dath -- decree, law... commandment,
commission, decree, law, manner. Of uncertain (perhaps foreign)
derivation: a royal edict or statute -- commandment,
commission...4400. malakuth -- a message
... 4399, 4400. malakuth. 4401 . a message. Transliteration: malakuth Phonetic
Spelling: (mal-ak-ooth') Short Definition:commission....
6680. tsavah -- to lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command...
... appoints (1), charge (5), charged (17), charging (1), command (56), commanded (332),
commander (1), commanding (18), commands (6),commission (3), commissioned...
Library
The GreatCommission
... Lesson 3 The GreatCommission. After the death... the Saviour. Before ascending
to heaven, Christ gave His disciples theircommission. He...
The World-WideCommission
... THE WORLD-WIDECOMMISSION. 'Every creature.'"Mark 16:15. The missionary
enterprise has been put on many bases. People do not like...
The New LeadersCommission
... THE BOOK OF JOSHUA THE NEW LEADERSCOMMISSION. 'Now after the death of Moses
the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord...
The Apostles'Commission; Or, the Gospel Attested by Miracles...
... Hymns. Book 1. Hymn 1:128. The Apostles'commission; or, The gospel attested
by miracles, Mark 16. 15 &c. Matt. 28. 18 &c. 1 "Go...
Whether Sins ofCommission and Omission Differ Specifically?
... OF THE DISTINCTION OF SINS (NINE ARTICLES) Whether sins ofcommission and
omission differ specifically? Objection 1: It would seem...
Christ'sCommission, John 3 16 17
... Christ'scommission, John 3. 16 17.... 3 Thy hands, dear Jesus, were not arm'd With
a revenging rod, No hardcommission to perform The vengeance of a God....
Relation of the FormerCommission Given by Jesus to the Disciples...
... Book XII. 15. Relation of the FormerCommission Given by Jesus to the Disciples,
to His Present Injunction of Silence. Belief and Knowledge Contrasted....
From hisCommission to Reside Abroad in 1820 to his Removal to...
... CHAPTER III. FROM HISCOMMISSION TO RESIDE ABROAD IN 1820 TO HIS REMOVAL TO GERMANY
IN 1822. In 1822 John Yeardley went to reside in Germany....
The Great Confession - the GreatCommission - the Great...
... CHAPTER XXXVII. THE GREAT CONFESSION - THE GREATCOMMISSION - THE GREAT
INSTRUCTION - THE GREAT TEMPTATION - THE GREAT DECISION....
The Apostles'Commission. Mark 16:15Ff; Matt. 28:18Ff.
... HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS IN THREE BOOKS. HYMN 128 The apostles'commission. Mark
16:15ff; Matt.... LM The apostles'commission. Mark 16:15ff; Matt.28:18ff....
Thesaurus
Commission (11 Occurrences)... 5. (n.) A certificate conferring military or naval rank and authority;
as, a colonel's
commission. 6. (n.) A company of persons
...Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... It is probable that Gideon had already distinguished himself in resistance to the
Midianites (Judges 6:12), but he now receives Divinecommission to assume the...
Apostle (25 Occurrences)
... 15). To them, as representing his church, he gave thecommission to "preach
the gospel to every creature" (Matthew 28:18-20). After...
Jonah (30 Occurrences)
... It gives an account of (1) his divinecommission to go to Nineveh, his disobedience,
and the punishment following (1:1-17); (2) his prayer and miraculous...
Miracle (15 Occurrences)
... simple volition of God, operating without the use of means capable of being discerned
by the senses, and designed to authenticate the divinecommission of a...
Mission (14 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of sending, or the state of being sent; a being sent or delegated
by authority, with certain powers for transacting business;commission....
Catechist
... The basis for the Christian catechumenate we find in the greatcommission
(Matthew 28:19, 20). The aim of thiscommission was to...
Catechumen
... The basis for the Christian catechumenate we find in the greatcommission
(Matthew 28:19, 20). The aim of thiscommission was to...
Latin (2 Occurrences)
... It is therefore more convenient to begin a study of its history with Jerome toward
the close of the 4th century and thecommission entrusted to him by Pope...
Moses (9295 Occurrences)
... in the shop of a Galilean carpenter; so Moses a shepherd in the Bedouin country,
in the "waste, howling wilderness." 5. Leader of Israel: (1) TheCommission....
Resources
What is a sin of commission? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Great Commission? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Christ Commission Fellowship? | GotQuestions.orgCommission: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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