In biblical terms, the concept of an "agent" can be understood as an individual or entity that acts on behalf of another, often carrying out the will or purpose of the one who sends them. This idea is prevalent throughout Scripture, where God frequently uses agents to accomplish His divine plans.

Divine Agents

1. Angels: Angels are perhaps the most recognized agents of God in the Bible. They serve as messengers and executors of God's will. In the Book of Daniel, an angel is sent to deliver a message to Daniel: "Then he said to me, 'Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them'" (Daniel 10:12). Angels are depicted as powerful beings who act on God's behalf, delivering messages, providing protection, and executing judgment.

2. Prophets: Prophets serve as human agents through whom God communicates His messages to His people. They are chosen to speak God's words and often call people to repentance. In the Book of Amos, God declares, "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7). Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel played crucial roles as God's spokesmen.

3. Jesus Christ: Jesus is the ultimate agent of God, embodying the divine will and purpose. He is described as the Word made flesh, sent to redeem humanity. In the Gospel of John, Jesus states, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" (John 6:38). Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Human Agents

1. Apostles and Disciples: The apostles and early disciples acted as agents of Christ, spreading the Gospel and establishing the early Church. Jesus commissioned them, saying, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, they carried out the mission of evangelism and church planting.

2. Leaders and Kings: Throughout the Old Testament, God raised leaders and kings to act as His agents in guiding and governing His people. King David, for example, was chosen by God to lead Israel and establish a kingdom that would foreshadow the eternal reign of Christ. In 1 Samuel 16:1, God instructs Samuel, "Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected a king for Myself from among his sons" .

Agents of Evil

The Bible also acknowledges the presence of agents who oppose God's will. Satan and his demonic forces act as agents of evil, seeking to thwart God's purposes. In the Book of Job, Satan acts as an accuser and tempter, challenging Job's faithfulness to God. The New Testament warns believers to be vigilant against such agents: "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

Conclusion

The concept of agency in the Bible underscores the dynamic relationship between God and His creation, where both divine and human agents play pivotal roles in the unfolding of God's redemptive history. Through these agents, God's sovereignty, love, and justice are revealed, inviting believers to participate in His divine mission.1. (a.) Acting; -- opposed to patient, or sustaining, action.

2. (n.) One who exerts power, or has the power to act; an actor.

3. (n.) One who acts for, or in the place of, another, by authority from him; one entrusted with the business of another; a substitute; a deputy; a factor.

4. (n.) An active power or cause; that which has the power to produce an effect; as, a physical, chemical, or medicinal agent; as, heat is a powerful agent.

3316. mesites -- an arbitrator, a mediator
... Spelling: (mes-ee'-tace) Short Definition: a mediator, go-between Definition: (a)
a mediator, intermediary, (b) a go-between, arbiter, agent of something good. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3316.htm - 7k

4233. praktor -- one who does or accomplishes
... 4233 -- properly, a finance agent; "a bailiff or constable" working in a court
in antiquity (); "an officer (usher) of the court" (Souter). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4233.htm - 7k

3623. oikonomos -- the manager of a household
... and the base of nomos; a house-distributor (ie Manager), or overseer, ie An employee
in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3623.htm - 7k

1783. enteuxis -- a petition, ie spec. supplication
... (see Thayer, 5177 ). Thus biblical intercession centers in waiting upon the Lord
to learn what (is His will) -- ie guiding the believer to act as His agent. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1783.htm - 8k

A Free Agent Enslaved.
... May we Pray With Assurance for the Conversion of Our Loved Ones A Free Agent
Enslaved. One of the questions that is more often asked ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a free agent enslaved.htm

Whether God Works in Every Agent?
... OF THE CHANGE OF CREATURES BY GOD (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether God works in every agent?
Objection 1: It would seem that God does not work in every agent. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether god works in every.htm

That the Self-Existent Being must be a Free Agent.
... IX. Proposition IX. That the self-existent being must be a free agent.
The self-existent and original cause of all things, is not ...
/.../ix proposition ix that the.htm

Heracleon's view that the Logos is not the Agent of Creation.
... Book II. 8. Heracleon's View that the Logos is Not the Agent of Creation.
It was, I consider, a violent and unwarranted procedure ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/8 heracleons view that the.htm

Adorable and Eternal God! Hast Thou Made Me a Free Agent! and ...
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 43 O Adorable and Eternal God! Hast Thou made me a free agent! ...
O Adorable and Eternal God! Hast Thou made me a free agent! ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/43 o adorable and eternal.htm

Christ as Righteousness; as the Demiurge, the Agent of the Good ...
... Book I. 40. Christ as Righteousness; As the Demiurge, the Agent of the
Good God, and as High-Priest. Having expiscated the "to us ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/40 christ as righteousness as.htm

Whether God is the Final Cause of all Things?
... end. Objection 2: Further, the end of generation, and the form of the
thing generated, and the agent cannot be identical (Phys. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether god is the final.htm

Whether Holy Men who are not Priests have the Keys?
... I answer that, There is this difference between a principal and an instrumental
agent, that the latter does not produce, in the effect, its own likeness, but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether holy men who are.htm

Whether There is Only one Moral virtue?
... stated above ([1552]Q[54], A[2]). Again, the species of the object of appetite,
as of any thing, depends on its specific form which it receives from the agent. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is only one 5.htm

Whether Good Can be the Cause of Evil?
... For a heavy thing is not moved upwards except by some impelling force; nor
does an agent fail in its action except from some impediment. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether good can be the.htm

Agent (4 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) An active power or cause; that which has the power to produce an effect;
as, a physical, chemical, or medicinal agent; as, heat is a powerful agent. ...
/a/agent.htm - 8k

Agency (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The office of an agent, or factor; the relation between a principal and
his agent; business of one entrusted with the concerns of another. ...
/a/agency.htm - 8k

Effect (173 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A result brought about by a cause or agent; a
consequence; as, a law goes into effect; sun has a negative effect on skin. ...
/e/effect.htm - 40k

Destroyer (23 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Exodus 12:23), the agent employed in the killing of
the first-born; the destroying angel or messenger of God. (Comp. ...
/d/destroyer.htm - 16k

Chance (78 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A supposed material or psychical agent or mode of activity other than a
force, law, or purpose; fortune; fate; -- in this sense often personified. ...
/c/chance.htm - 37k

Exaltation (9 Occurrences)
... egz-ol-ta'-shun: I. THE RESURRECTION 1. Its Glorification of Christ 2. Resurrection
Body-Identity, Change, Present Locality 3. The Agent of the Resurrection II ...
/e/exaltation.htm - 27k

Divination (25 Occurrences)
... Artificial divination depends on the skill of the agent in reading and
in interpreting certain signs called omens. See AUGURY. In ...
/d/divination.htm - 45k

Doer (25 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt & i.) One who does; one performs or executes; one who is wont and ready to
act; an actor; an agent. 2. (vt & i.) An agent or attorney; a factor. ...
/d/doer.htm - 14k

Minister (150 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A servant; a subordinate; an officer or
assistant of inferior rank; hence, an agent, an instrument. ...
/m/minister.htm - 40k

Medicine (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Any substance administered in the treatment of disease; a remedial agent;
a remedy; physic. 3. (n.) A philter or love potion. 4. (n.) A physician. ...
/m/medicine.htm - 11k

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Agent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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