Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Overview:Succession, in a biblical context, refers to the process of transferring leadership, authority, or inheritance from one individual to another. This concept is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, where it is often associated with the continuation of God's covenant promises, the establishment of leadership, and the preservation of family lineage. Succession is a critical theme in both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting God's sovereign plan and the orderly transition of roles and responsibilities among His people.
Old Testament Examples:1.
Patriarchal Succession: · The patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—are central figures in the narrative of succession. God's covenant with Abraham was passed down through his descendants.
Genesis 17:7 states, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you."
2.
Mosaic Leadership: · The transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua is a significant example of succession. Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt, was succeeded by Joshua, who led them into the Promised Land. In
Deuteronomy 31:7-8 , Moses encourages Joshua, saying, "Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance."
3.
Monarchical Succession: · The succession of kings in Israel and Judah is a prominent theme, with the Davidic line being particularly significant. God's promise to David regarding his dynasty is found in
2 Samuel 7:16 : "Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever."
New Testament Context:1.
Apostolic Succession: · The New Testament reflects the concept of succession in the appointment of church leaders. The apostles, chosen by Christ, laid the foundation for the early church. In
Acts 1:20-26 , the apostles seek a successor for Judas Iscariot, ultimately choosing Matthias to join them.
2.
Spiritual Inheritance: · The New Testament also speaks of a spiritual succession, where believers are considered heirs of God's promises.
Romans 8:17 states, "And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him."
Theological Significance:Succession in the Bible underscores the continuity of God's plan and the faithfulness of His promises across generations. It highlights the importance of leadership, stewardship, and the transmission of faith and values. The biblical model of succession often involves divine selection, human preparation, and communal recognition, ensuring that God's purposes are fulfilled through His chosen instruments.
Practical Implications:For believers, the concept of succession emphasizes the responsibility to prepare future generations for leadership and service. It calls for intentional discipleship, mentorship, and the nurturing of spiritual gifts within the community of faith. Succession is not merely a transfer of authority but a commitment to uphold and advance the mission of God in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of succeeding, or following after; a following of things in order of time or place, or a series of things so following; sequence; as, a succession of good crops; a succession of disasters.
2. (n.) A series of persons or things according to some established rule of precedence; as, a succession of kings, or of bishops; a succession of events in chronology.
3. (n.) An order or series of descendants; lineage; race; descent.
4. (n.) The power or right of succeeding to the station or title of a father or other predecessor; the right to enter upon the office, rank, position, etc., held any another; also, the entrance into the office, station, or rank of a predecessor; specifically, the succeeding, or right of succeeding, to a throne.
5. (n.) The right to enter upon the possession of the property of an ancestor, or one near of kin, or one preceding in an established order.
6. (n.) The person succeeding to rank or office; a successor or heir.
Greek
5010. taxis -- an arranging, order... taxis Phonetic Spelling: (tax'-is) Short Definition: order, position, rank Definition:
order, (a) regular arrangement, (b) appointed
succession, (c) position
...1534. eita -- then, next, therefore (an adv. denoting sequence)
... 1534 (a primitive, temporal adverb communicating ) -- (insuccession), ("". Word
Origin a prim. particle Definition then, next, therefore (an adv....
3326. meta -- with, among, after
... denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to
the case (genitive association, or accusativesuccession) with which it is...
5001. tagma -- that which has been arranged in order, spec. a...
... division, class, group. From tasso; something orderly in arrangement (a troop),
ie (figuratively) a series orsuccession -- order. see GREEK tasso....
2517. kathexes -- successively
... Speech: Adverb Transliteration: kathexes Phonetic Spelling: (kath-ex-ace') Short
Definition: in order, just after Definition: in order, insuccession, in the...
Strong's Hebrew
8447. tor -- a plait, turn... Or tor {tore}; from tuwr; a
succession, ie A string or (abstractly) order -- border,
row, turn. see HEBREW tuwr. 8446, 8447. tor or tor. 8448 .
...Library
The Wooden Tripod and theSuccession of the Emperor, through a...
... Book VI. Chapter XXXV."The Wooden Tripod and theSuccession of the Emperor, through
a Knowledge of its Letters. Destruction of the Philosophers; Astronomy....
Succession of Philosophers in Greece.
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies: Book I Chapter XIV."Succession of Philosophers in
Greece.... Then Carneades succeeded Hegesilaus, and others came insuccession....
Of theSuccession of the Line of Kings among the Israelites after...
... Book XVIII. Chapter 20."Of theSuccession of the Line of Kings Among the
Israelites After the Times of the Judges. While these...
None of the Heretics ClaimSuccession from the Apostles New...
... Chapter XXXII."None of the Heretics ClaimSuccession from the Apostles New Churches
Still Apostolic, Because Their Faith is that Which the Apostles Taught...
Then in DueSuccession He Instructs them in Physics, Geometry, and...
... Argument VIII."Then in DueSuccession He Instructs Them in Physics, Geometry,
and Astronomy. Nor did he confine his efforts merely...
About the Time of Christ, in Accordance with Prophecy, the Rulers...
... Book I. Chapter VI."About the Time of Christ, in accordance with Prophecy, the Rulers
who had governed the Jewish Nation in RegularSuccession from the Days...
A Refutation of the Heretics, from the Fact That, in the Various...
... Against Heresies: Book III Chapter III."A refutation of the heretics, from the fact
that, in the various Churches, a perpetualsuccession of bishops was kept...
Since God is Eternal and Immortal, He Does not Stand in Need of...
... Addressed to His Brother Pentadius. Chap. VI."Since God is Eternal and
Immortal, He Does Not Stand in Need of Sex andSuccession....
A Statement of the Reason Why Matthew Enumerates oneSuccession of...
... The Prologue. Chapter III."A Statement of the Reason Why Matthew Enumerates
OneSuccession of Ancestors for Christ, and Luke Another....
Augustin Deceived by Familiarity with the Manich??ans, and by the...
... Chapter 9. "Augustin Deceived by Familiarity with the Manich??ans, and by the
Succession of Victories Over Ignorant Christians Reported by Them....
Thesaurus
Succession (2 Occurrences)... act of succeeding, or following after; a following of things in order of time or
place, or a series of things so following; sequence; as, a
succession of good
...Eternity (23 Occurrences)
... 3. In the New Testament 4. The Eternal "Now" 5. Defect of This View 6. Philosophical
Views 7. Time Conceptions Inadequate 8. AllSuccession Present in One Act...
Sequence (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.)Succession; order of following; arrangement.
2. (n.) That which follows or succeeds as an effect...
Course (87 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A series of motions or acts arranged in order; asuccession of acts or
practices connectedly followed; as, a course of medicine; a course of lectures...
Korahites (7 Occurrences)
... Korahites taken collectively (Exodus 6:24 Numbers 26:58 1 Chronicles 26:19); 4 times
it is used in the plural, denoting the members of thissuccession of men...
Sons (2429 Occurrences)
... Korahites taken collectively (Exodus 6:24 Numbers 26:58 1 Chronicles 26:19); 4 times
it is used in the plural, denoting the members of thissuccession of men...
Generation (150 Occurrences)
... In Matthew 1:17, the word means asuccession or series of persons from the same
stock. Matthew 3:7, "Generation of vipers" = brood of vipers....
Rustle (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To make a quicksuccession of small sounds,
like the rubbing or moving of silk cloth or dry leaves....
Rattle (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To make a quicksuccession of sharp, inharmonious noises, as by the collision
of hard and not very sonorous bodies shaken together; to clatter....
Melody (55 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A sweet or agreeablesuccession of sounds.
2. (n.) A rhythmicalsuccession of single tones, ranging...
Resources
Is apostolic succession biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about the holy grail (sangreal)? | GotQuestions.orgWas Saint Peter the first pope? | GotQuestions.orgSuccession: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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