Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "accredited" refers to being officially recognized or authorized, often by God, as having a particular status or authority. This concept is significant in understanding how God validates His messengers, leaders, and the message of the Gospel.
Divine Accreditation of Jesus ChristOne of the most profound examples of accreditation in the Bible is the divine endorsement of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. 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" . Here, Peter emphasizes that Jesus' miraculous works served as divine accreditation, affirming His identity and mission.
Accreditation of Apostles and ProphetsThe apostles and prophets were also accredited by God to carry out their ministries. In
2 Corinthians 12:12, Paul defends his apostleship by stating, "The true marks of an apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance" . These supernatural acts served as evidence of God's endorsement of Paul's apostolic authority.
Similarly, the Old Testament prophets were accredited by God through the fulfillment of their prophecies and the power of their messages.
Deuteronomy 18:21-22 provides a test for a true prophet: "You may ask in your heart, 'How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?' When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken" . This passage underscores the importance of divine accreditation through fulfilled prophecy.
Accreditation of BelieversBelievers, too, are accredited by God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which serves as a seal of their salvation and a mark of their identity in Christ.
Ephesians 1:13-14 states, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory" . The Holy Spirit's presence in a believer's life is a form of divine accreditation, affirming their status as children of God.
Accreditation in the Early ChurchIn the early church, accreditation was also important for maintaining doctrinal purity and unity. The Jerusalem Council, as described in
Acts 15, serves as an example of how the early church leaders sought to accredit the teachings and practices that aligned with the Gospel. The council's decision, guided by the Holy Spirit, was communicated to the Gentile believers, affirming their inclusion in the faith without the burden of adhering to the full Mosaic Law.
ConclusionThe concept of accreditation in the Bible highlights the importance of divine endorsement and validation. Whether through miracles, fulfilled prophecies, or the presence of the Holy Spirit, God's accreditation serves to affirm the authority and authenticity of His messengers and their message.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Accredit.
Library
Patience Both Antecedent and Subsequent to Faith.
... In short, Abraham believed God, and wasaccredited by Him with righteousness; [9075]
but it was patience which proved his faith, when he was bidden to immolate...
1 John iii. 23
... which the whole life of Christ must make upon him who contemplates it in the right
spirit; the impression of Christ as designated andaccredited by God himself...
1 John v. 11, 12
... Having thus spoken of the testimony whereby Jesus isaccredited as the Son of God,
the Apostle now shows more particularly what is its import in reference to...
Wesley
... Nearly all of the Wesleyan hymns, even those found in volumes issued jointly by
the two brothers, are commonlyaccredited to [112]Charles Wesley....
Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
... Nineveh's privilege may be counted thus: a sign-accredited prophet preaching without
accompanying miracles, and a forty-day period of repentance....
The Deputation from Jerusalem - the Three Sects of the Pharisees...
... In that case he was simply a Neeman, anaccredited one' with whom one might enter
freely into commerce, as he was supposed to have paid all dues....
Acts i. 1, 2
... Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses
and ministers of the word." (Luke 1:2.) Having thenaccredited his account in...
Prefatory Note
... treatment is the discussion given to a class of miracles regarded with as much
incredulity as any, yet as capable as any of beingaccredited as probably...
Introductory Note to the Martyrdom of Ignatius
... the vision of Col. Gardiner,accredited by Doddridge, Lord Lyttleton's vision
(see Boswell, anno 1784, chap. xi.), accepted by Johnson...
Dr. Tatlock's Address.
... felt, that the mother churches of Scotland and England might have opportunity to
receive and welcome you as the representative, dulyaccredited by her bishops...
Thesaurus
Accredited (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Accredit. Multi-Version Concordance
Accredited (1 Occurrence). Acts 2:22 "Listen, Israelites, to what I say.
...Mediation
... He went up to God and "reported the words of the people" to Him, as to a sovereign
who cannot be approached save by his dulyaccredited minister (Exodus 19:8...
Mediator (7 Occurrences)
... He went up to God and "reported the words of the people" to Him, as to a sovereign
who cannot be approached save by his dulyaccredited minister (Exodus 19:8...
Israelites (468 Occurrences)
... Jesus, the Nazarene, a manaccredited to you from God by miracles and marvels and
signs which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know, Him-- (WEY...
Envoy (5 Occurrences)
... deputed by a sovereign or a government to negotiate a treaty, or transact other
business, with a foreign sovereign or government; a ministeraccredited to a...
Dye (1 Occurrence)
... If Pliny's estimate is to beaccredited, then "in the dye the smell of it was offensive
and the color itself was harsh, of a greenish hue and strongly...
Dyeing
... If Pliny's estimate is to beaccredited, then "in the dye the smell of it was offensive
and the color itself was harsh, of a greenish hue and strongly...
Marvels (21 Occurrences)
... Jesus, the Nazarene, a manaccredited to you from God by miracles and marvels and
signs which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know, Him-- (WEY...
Preaching (116 Occurrences)
... from the Holy Spirit and the external call from the church the witnessing body of
Christ on earth, and has been duly set apart as anaccredited and qualified...
Contribution (24 Occurrences)
... will offerings of grateful hearts (2 Corinthians 8:7), springing from th community
spirit, and were sent to their destination byaccredited representatives of...
Resources
Does God still perform miracles? | GotQuestions.orgIn what way was John the Baptist the greatest (Matthew 11:11)? | GotQuestions.orgAre the miraculous gifts of the Spirit for today? | GotQuestions.orgAccredited: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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