Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context: The concept of "starting" in the Bible often relates to beginnings, initiations, or the commencement of significant events or actions. It can refer to the start of creation, the beginning of a journey, the initiation of a covenant, or the onset of a new phase in a person's life or in the history of God's people.
Biblical Instances:
1.
Creation: The most profound "starting" in the Bible is the creation of the world.
Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This marks the commencement of time and the universe, initiated by God's sovereign will.
2.
Covenants: The Bible records several covenants that signify new beginnings in God's relationship with humanity. For instance, the covenant with Noah after the flood (
Genesis 9:8-17) represents a fresh start for humanity. Similarly, the covenant with Abraham (
Genesis 12:1-3) marks the beginning of a chosen people through whom God would bless all nations.
3.
Exodus and the Promised Land: The departure of the Israelites from Egypt is a significant starting point in their history.
Exodus 12:2 declares, "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year." This event marks the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land and the establishment of their identity as a nation under God.
4.
New Testament Beginnings: The New Testament introduces the start of the new covenant through Jesus Christ.
Mark 1:1 states, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." This signifies the commencement of the good news and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.
5.
Personal Transformation: The Bible also speaks of personal new beginnings through spiritual rebirth. In
John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." This highlights the start of a new life in Christ, characterized by repentance and faith.
6.
The Church: The book of Acts records the beginning of the Christian Church.
Acts 2 describes the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, marking the start of the Church's mission to spread the gospel to all nations.
Theological Significance: The theme of starting is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, emphasizing God's initiative in creation, redemption, and the establishment of His kingdom. It underscores the idea that God is the author of new beginnings, whether in the cosmos, in the history of His people, or in the lives of individuals. Each starting point in the Bible is a testament to God's faithfulness and His desire to bring about His purposes in the world.
Practical Application: Believers are encouraged to embrace new beginnings with faith and trust in God's guidance.
Philippians 1:6 reassures Christians, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." This verse encourages believers to trust in God's ongoing work in their lives, knowing that He is faithful to complete what He has started.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Start.
2. (a. & n.) from Start.
Greek
874. aphorme -- astarting point, ie fig. an occasion... 873, 874. aphorme. 875 . a
starting point, ie fig. an
... Word Origin from
apo and hormao Definition a
starting point, ie fig. an
...1096. ginomai -- to come into being, to happen, to become
... 4), prove (7), proved (6), proving (1), put (1), reached (2), realized (1), results
(2), show (1), spent (1), split (1), spoken (1),starting (1), take place...
757. archo -- to rule, to begin
... verb Definition to rule, to begin NASB Word Usage began (62), begin (7), beginning
(8), begins (2), begun (1), proceed (1), rule (1), rulers (1),starting (2)....
746. arche -- beginning, origin
... 746 -- properly, from the ( sense), ie " (starting) point"; (figuratively) what
comes and therefore is (foremost), ie has the because ahead of the rest...
Strong's Hebrew
7725. shub -- to turn back, return... to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively
(not necessarily with the idea of return to the
starting point); generally
...6974. quts -- arise, be awake, watch
... A primitive root (identical with quwts through the idea of abruptness instarting
up from sleep (compare yaqats)); to awake (literally or figuratively) -- arise...
4161. motsa -- a place or act of going forth, issue, export...
... going forth (1), import (1), imported (1), issuing (1), mine (1), outlet (1), proceeds
(2), rising (1), seeds (1), spring (2), springs (2),starting places (2...
Library
TheStarting Point.
... CHAPTER I. THESTARTING POINT. Reader, are you a BA? This little book is only
for those who possess that degree from the King's College....
Starting from this Point You May Understand the Majesty of the...
...Starting from this point you may understand the majesty of the Holy Ghost also....Starting
from this point you may understand the majesty of the Holy Ghost also....
Starting a Newspaper. An Experience of Mr. John Jones.
... WORDS FOR THE WISE.STARTING A NEWSPAPER. AN EXPERIENCE OF MR. JOHN JONES.
IT... him. So much for my experience instarting a newspaper....
And of the Jews a Certain Other One,Starting Up...
... Chapter 6. And of the Jews a certain other one,starting up? And of the Jews a certain
other one,starting up, asks the governor that he might say a word....
Introduction
... Christianity is based upon the impregnable rock of Holy Scripture. Thestarting
point of all doctrinal discussion must be the Bible....
Three Aspects of Faith
... on Him.' I take these words, then, for consideration, not so much to deal with other
thoughts suggested by them, as because they afford me astarting-point for...
Demonstration Defined.
... But if the second, those things which are self-evident will become thestarting
points [and fundamental grounds] of demonstration....
The Domain or Province of Science.
... substance also, finds his ultimate or resting place in God, who is the last element
in vital and mental analysis, and also the Christian'sstarting point in...
There Is, Then, in the First Year, the New Moon of the First Month...
... to call the first dodecatemorion (twelfth part), and the equinox, and the beginning
of months, and the head of the cycle, and thestarting-point [1164] of the...
Pastoral and Personal
... The great fire, which destroyed so large a part of the city of Rome on the 18th
of July, 64 AD, was used by the Emperor Nero as an excuse forstarting a great...
Thesaurus
Starting (34 Occurrences)...Starting (34 Occurrences). Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind he was in fear
and,
starting to go down, he gave a cry, saying, Help, Lord. (BBE).
...Exodus (2 Occurrences)
... ek'-so-dus: Contents I. THE ROUTE 1. TheStarting-Point 2. Rameses to Succoth 3.
Succoth to Etham 4. Passage of the Sea 5. Other Views of the Route II....
Started (51 Occurrences)
... sweet spices, and take it quickly into the meeting of the people, and make them
free from sin: for wrath has gone out from the Lord, and the disease isstarting...
Verse (5 Occurrences)
... 1 By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away,
and he departed.Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, with each versestarting with a...
Apollyon (1 Occurrence)
... 1. TheStarting-Point: Thestarting-point of the Apocalyptist's use of "Apollyon"
is to be found in the fundamental meaning of "Abaddon" as moral destruction...
Start (50 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) The act ofstarting; a sudden spring, leap, or motion, caused by surprise,
fear, pain, or the like; any sudden motion, or beginning of motion. 11....
Acrostic (2 Occurrences)
... 1 By David; when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away,
and he departed.Psalm 34 is an acrostic poem, with each versestarting with a...
Immortal (3 Occurrences)
... THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE-THE OLD TESTAMENT 1.Starting-Point-Man's Relation to God
Man's Nature 2. Sin and Death 3. Grace and Redemption-The True Immortality...
Immortality (6 Occurrences)
... THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE-THE OLD TESTAMENT 1.Starting-Point-Man's Relation to God
Man's Nature 2. Sin and Death 3. Grace and Redemption-The True Immortality...
Point (106 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:27Starting up from sleep and seeing the doors of the jail wide open, the
jailer drew his sword and was on the point of killing himself, supposing that...
Resources
What is a prolegomena? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Baptist Church, and what do Baptists believe? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Anabaptists, and what did they believe? | GotQuestions.orgStarting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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