Definition and Context:
In the biblical context, "advancing" often refers to the progress or forward movement in various aspects of life, including spiritual growth, age, wisdom, and the fulfillment of God's purposes. It can denote both physical movement and metaphorical progress in one's faith journey.

Biblical References:

1. Spiritual Growth and Maturity:
Advancing in spiritual maturity is a key theme in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul frequently encourages believers to grow in their faith and understanding. In Philippians 3:13-14 , Paul writes, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." This passage emphasizes the importance of advancing in one's spiritual journey, striving towards the ultimate goal of Christlikeness.

2. Advancing in Age and Wisdom:
The Bible often associates advancing in age with the acquisition of wisdom and experience. In Luke 2:52 , it is noted, "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." This verse highlights the natural progression of Jesus' life as He advanced in age, gaining wisdom and favor, which serves as a model for believers to seek growth in wisdom as they age.

3. Advancing God's Kingdom:
The concept of advancing God's kingdom is central to the mission of the church. In Matthew 28:19-20 , Jesus commands His disciples, "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." This Great Commission is a call to advance the kingdom of God by spreading the gospel and making disciples, reflecting the forward movement of God's redemptive plan.

4. Advancing in God's Plan:
The Bible records numerous instances where individuals advance in God's plan, often through trials and perseverance. Joseph's account in Genesis is a prime example. Despite being sold into slavery and imprisoned, Joseph advanced to become a powerful leader in Egypt, fulfilling God's purpose for his life. Genesis 50:20 states, "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

5. Warnings Against Stagnation:
Scripture also warns against spiritual stagnation and the failure to advance in faith. Hebrews 5:12-14 admonishes believers, "Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil." This passage encourages believers to advance beyond elementary teachings and grow into maturity.

Theological Implications:
Advancing in the biblical sense is not merely about personal achievement but is deeply rooted in aligning with God's will and purposes. It involves a continuous journey of faith, characterized by growth, perseverance, and active participation in God's redemptive work. Believers are called to advance in their relationship with God, in wisdom, and in their mission to spread the gospel, reflecting the dynamic and forward-moving nature of the Christian faith.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Advance.38. hagiasmos -- consecration, sanctification
... Cognate: 38 (a masculine noun derived from 40 , "holy") -- (the process of advancing
in ); use of the believer being progressively transformed by the Lord into ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/38.htm - 7k

4298. prokopto -- to cut forward (a way), advance
... Word Origin from pro and kopto Definition to cut forward (a way), advance NASB Word
Usage advancing (1), almost gone (1), increasing (1), lead (1), make ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4298.htm - 7k

1457. egkainizo -- to renew, inaugurate
... 1457 (from 1722 , "in" and , "make fresh, new") -- properly, make new (like or
something); to (), advancing to a new sphere (dimension) of reality. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1457.htm - 6k

The Gospel Advancing.
... THE GOSPEL, AND ITS INVITATIONS. 263. " The Gospel Advancing. 263. 7s.
& 6s. M. JG Adams. The Gospel Advancing. 1 Brighter shines ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/263 the gospel advancing.htm

Concupiscence Remains after Baptism, Just as Languor Does after ...
... XXV.]"Concupiscence Remains After Baptism, Just as Languor Does After Recovery from
Disease; Concupiscence is Diminished in Persons of Advancing Years, and ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 28 xxv concupiscence remains after.htm

How Vainglory is not Allayed Either in the Desert or through ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter VIII. How vainglory is not allayed either in the desert
or through advancing years. Other vices, as we said ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter viii how vainglory is.htm

On Mutual Subjection {1} --(First Printed in 1744)
... the servant to his master, the wife to her husband, and the younger to the elder,
doth here, in the words of my text, sum up the whole by advancing a point of ...
/.../swift/three sermons three prayers/on mutual subjection 1first printed.htm

Truth Rather to be Appealed to than Custom, and Truth Progressive ...
... the other succeeding points of discipline and conversation admit the "novelty" of
correction; the grace of God, to wit, operating and advancing even to the end ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter i truth rather to be.htm

Of what John Learned from Jesus when Mary visited Elisabeth in the ...
... in answer to the sharper questions of those from the Pharisees,"Jesus is seen by
the witness-bearer coming to him while he is still advancing and growing ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/30 of what john learned.htm

The Little Ones and their Angels.
... and habits of such a kind, that furnish the reason why one is great, or little,
or of middle height; and it is of our free-will either by advancing in stature ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/26 the little ones and.htm

On Lent, ii.
... For though our nature which, so long as we are mortal, will be changeable, is advancing
to the highest pursuits of virtue, yet always has the possibility of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xl on lent ii.htm

Conformed to the Image of Christ
... Advancing a little farther into the interior of our mirror, the heat properties
of the sun's rays are so concentrated as to generate a heat sufficient to melt ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 16 conformed to the.htm

The Eighth Passage. In what Sense He is Said not to Sin who is ...
... While the remains of this infirmity abide in our inward man, however much they may
be daily lessened in those who are advancing, "we deceive ourselves, and the ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter xviii 39 the eighth passage.htm

Advancing (9 Occurrences)
...Advancing (9 Occurrences). ... Mark 14:60 At last the High Priest stood up, and advancing
into the midst of them all, asked Jesus, "Have you no answer to make? ...
/a/advancing.htm - 9k

Tekoa (12 Occurrences)
... The wilderness of Tekoa is mentioned (2 Chronicles 20:20) as the extreme edge of
the inhabited area; here Jehoshaphat took counsel before advancing into the ...
/t/tekoa.htm - 15k

Procession (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of proceeding, moving on, advancing, or
issuing; regular, orderly, or ceremonious progress; continuous course. ...
/p/procession.htm - 10k

Advantage (44 Occurrences)

/a/advantage.htm - 19k

Useless (47 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Having, or being of, no use; unserviceable; producing
no good end; answering no valuable purpose; not advancing the end proposed ...
/u/useless.htm - 19k

Useful (14 Occurrences)
... (a.) Full of use, advantage, or profit; producing, or having power to produce, good;
serviceable for any end or object; helpful toward advancing any purpose ...
/u/useful.htm - 10k

Jehoash (28 Occurrences)
... Amaziah, the king of Judah (2 Chronicles 25:23-24), whom he utterly defeated at
Beth-shemesh, on the borders of Dan and Philistia, and advancing on Jerusalem ...
/j/jehoash.htm - 32k

Leads (64 Occurrences)
... into bondage to Impurity and ever-increasing disregard of Law, so you must now
surrender them into bondage to Righteousness ever advancing towards perfect ...
/l/leads.htm - 23k

Locust (25 Occurrences)
... 2:10). It seems indeed as if a great aerial mountain, many miles in breadth,
were advancing with a slow, unresting progress. Woe ...
/l/locust.htm - 34k

Wave (65 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) An advancing ridge or swell on the surface of a liquid, as of the sea,
resulting from the oscillatory motion of the particles composing it when ...
/w/wave.htm - 30k

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Advancing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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