In biblical terms, the concept of being "acquitted" is closely related to themes of justice, forgiveness, and justification. The term itself refers to being declared free from guilt or blame, often in a legal or moral sense. Within the context of Scripture, acquittal is a profound demonstration of God's grace and mercy towards humanity.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding acquittal through the legal and sacrificial systems established by God for the Israelites. The Hebrew word often associated with acquittal is "naqah," which means to be free from guilt or to be cleansed. In Exodus 34:7, God describes Himself as "forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin," yet He also emphasizes that He "will by no means leave the guilty unpunished." This duality highlights the tension between God's justice and His mercy.

The sacrificial system, particularly the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), provided a means for the Israelites to be acquitted of their sins through the offering of sacrifices. Leviticus 16 details the rituals performed by the high priest to atone for the sins of the people, symbolically transferring their guilt onto a scapegoat, which was then sent into the wilderness. This act served as a temporary acquittal, pointing forward to a more permanent solution.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the concept of acquittal reaches its fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Greek word "dikaioō," often translated as "justified," carries the connotation of being declared righteous or acquitted. Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Here, justification is synonymous with acquittal, achieved not through human effort but through faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice.

The Apostle Paul expounds on this in Romans 8:33-34 : "Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us." This passage underscores the believer's acquittal as a result of Christ's intercession and resurrection, ensuring that no accusation can stand against those who are in Him.

Theological Implications

Theologically, acquittal is central to the doctrine of justification by faith. It underscores the belief that humans, inherently sinful and deserving of judgment, can be declared righteous before God solely through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. This acquittal is not based on personal merit but is a gift of grace, as emphasized in Ephesians 2:8-9 : "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."

Practical Application

For believers, the assurance of acquittal provides profound peace and confidence in their relationship with God. It encourages a life of gratitude, obedience, and service, motivated not by fear of condemnation but by love and thankfulness for the grace received. The knowledge of being acquitted also compels Christians to extend forgiveness and mercy to others, reflecting the character of God in their interactions.

In summary, the biblical concept of acquittal is a testament to God's justice and mercy, fully realized in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It assures believers of their standing before God and calls them to live in the light of this transformative truth.(imp. & p. p.) of Acquit.1344. dikaioo -- to show to be righteous, declare righteous
... Word Origin from dikaios Definition to show to be righteous, declare righteous NASB
Word Usage acknowledged...justice (1), acquitted (1), freed (3), justified ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1344.htm - 9k5352. naqah -- to be empty or clean
... root Definition to be empty or clean NASB Word Usage acquit (3), acquitted (2),
avenge (1), avenged (1), blameless (1), by means clear (1), completely ...
/hebrew/5352.htm - 6k

6663. tsadeq -- to be just or righteous
... Word Origin denominative verb from tsedeq Definition to be just or righteous NASB
Word Usage acquit (1), acquitted (1), declare you right (1), do justice (1 ...
/hebrew/6663.htm - 6k

Ep. xxv. Amphilochius was Acquitted of the Charges Made against ...
... Division III. Miscellaneous Letters. Ep. XXV. Amphilochius was acquitted
of the charges made against him? (Amphilochius was acquitted ...
/.../select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep xxv amphilochius was acquitted.htm

Although Pelagius was Acquitted, his Heresy was Condemned.
... A work on the proceedings of pelagius, Chapter 59 [XXXIV.]"Although Pelagius
Was Acquitted, His Heresy Was Condemned. Now, with ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 59 xxxiv although pelagius was.htm

Paul Having Been Sent Bound from Judea to Rome, Made his Defense ...
... Book II. Chapter XXII."Paul having been sent bound from Judea to Rome, made
his Defense, and was acquitted of every Charge. 1. Festus ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxii paul having been sent.htm

The History Continued. Coelestius Condemned at Carthage by ...
... Judgment. Pelagius Acquitted by Bishops in Palestine, in Consequence of His
Deceptive Answers; But Yet His Heresy Was Condemned by Them. ...
/.../anti-pelagian writings/chapter 62 the history continued coelestius.htm

Luke x. The Latter Part of the 25Th Verse.
... of their former Sins, was, how they should be saved from this guilt which they had
already contracted; or what they should do to be acquitted from these Sins ...
/.../sermon i luke x the.htm

Epistle Liii. To John, Bishop.
... case. John of Chalcedon had been fully acquitted of heresy; but some doubt
still remained as to the orthodoxy of Athanasius. Accordingly ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle liii to john bishop.htm

If, Again, it is Certain that we are the Most Wicked of Men...
... not to be hidden away. They lay it down that persons who own a crime are
to be condemned, not acquitted. The decrees of the senate ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter ii if again it.htm

Caesar Makes Antipater Procurator of Judea; as Does Antipater ...
... To Be Governor Of Jerusalem, And Herod Governor Of Galilee; Who, In Some Time, Was
Called To Answer For Himself [Before The Sanhedrim], Where He Is Acquitted. ...
/.../chapter 10 caesar makes antipater.htm

A Savage Duel.
... claims. When they weary of the sport He is again dismissed to Pilate, acquitted.
It is the second mocking and the second acquittal. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/a savage duel.htm

The Same Continued. The Synod Supposed that the Grace Acknowledged ...
... created (for most plainly does Holy Scripture instruct us in the former sense of
grace as the true one), ignorant of his being a heretic, they acquitted him as ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 22 x the same continued.htm

Acquitted (24 Occurrences)
...Acquitted (24 Occurrences). ... (WEY). Romans 5:1 Standing then acquitted as the result
of faith, let us enjoy peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (WEY). ...
/a/acquitted.htm - 13k

Acquit (11 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To free from guilt or debt; to conduct oneself or behave; to clear off;
to pay off; to requite. 2. (pp) Acquitted; set free; rid of. ...
/a/acquit.htm - 10k

Entirely (39 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 25:29 For lo, in the city over which My name is called, I am
beginning to do evil, And ye -- ye are entirely acquitted! ...
/e/entirely.htm - 18k

Pastoral
... "It is obvious that the importance of the trial is intelligible only if
Paul was acquitted. That he was acquitted follows from the ...
/p/pastoral.htm - 39k

Drinkest (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 49:12 For thus said Jehovah: They whose judgment is not to drink of the
cup, Do certainly drink, And thou 'art' he that is entirely acquitted! ...
/d/drinkest.htm - 7k

Pronounce (47 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 3:30 unless you can deny that it is one and the same God who will
pronounce the circumcised to be acquitted on the ground of faith, and the ...
/p/pronounce.htm - 22k

Deny (48 Occurrences)
... Romans 3:30 unless you can deny that it is one and the same God who will pronounce
the circumcised to be acquitted on the ground of faith, and the ...
/d/deny.htm - 23k

Unless (102 Occurrences)
... Romans 3:30 unless you can deny that it is one and the same God who will pronounce
the circumcised to be acquitted on the ground of faith, and the ...
/u/unless.htm - 36k

Acquittal (7 Occurrences)

/a/acquittal.htm - 8k

Proclaiming (63 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Jeremiah 25:29 For lo, in the city over which My name is called, I
am beginning to do evil, And ye -- ye are entirely acquitted! ...
/p/proclaiming.htm - 25k

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