Commencing
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The concept of commencing, or beginning, is a significant theme throughout the Bible, reflecting both the physical act of starting something new and the spiritual implications of new beginnings in the life of believers. The Bible opens with the ultimate commencement: the creation of the world. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This verse sets the stage for the entire biblical narrative, emphasizing God's sovereignty and creative power.

Creation and New Beginnings

The act of creation itself is a profound commencement, illustrating God's ability to bring order out of chaos. The six days of creation described in Genesis 1 highlight the systematic and purposeful nature of God's work, culminating in the creation of humanity. This initial commencement is foundational to understanding the relationship between God and His creation, as well as humanity's role within it.

Commencing Covenants

Throughout the Old Testament, God initiates covenants with His people, marking new beginnings in His relationship with them. The covenant with Noah after the flood (Genesis 9:8-17) signifies a fresh start for humanity, with the rainbow as a sign of God's promise never to destroy the earth by flood again. Similarly, the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) marks the commencement of a chosen people through whom God would bless all nations.

The Exodus and the Promised Land

The Exodus represents a significant commencement for the Israelites, as they leave slavery in Egypt and begin their journey to the Promised Land. This event is a powerful symbol of liberation and new beginnings, as God leads His people through the wilderness and establishes them as a nation. The giving of the Law at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-20) further signifies a new phase in their relationship with God, as they receive His commandments and learn to live as His covenant people.

New Testament Commencements

In the New Testament, the coming of Jesus Christ marks the commencement of a new covenant. The incarnation, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus represent the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the beginning of a new era of grace and redemption. John 1:1-3 echoes the language of Genesis, stating, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made."

The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) is another pivotal commencement, as the Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, empowering them to spread the Gospel. This event marks the birth of the Church and the beginning of the Christian mission to the world.

Personal and Spiritual Commencements

For individual believers, commencing a relationship with Christ is a transformative experience. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" This verse encapsulates the essence of spiritual commencement, as believers are born again and begin a new life in Christ.

Baptism is a significant rite of commencement in the Christian faith, symbolizing the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Romans 6:4 explains, "We therefore were buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life."

Commencing in Daily Life

The Bible encourages believers to approach each day as a new beginning, filled with opportunities to serve God and grow in faith. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us, "Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" This passage highlights the continual renewal available to believers, as God's mercies are fresh each day.

In summary, the theme of commencing in the Bible encompasses creation, covenants, personal transformation, and daily renewal. It underscores the dynamic nature of God's interaction with His creation and His desire for His people to experience new beginnings in their relationship with Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Commence.
Greek
2020. epiphosko -- to let shine, ie to dawn
... ie to dawn. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epiphosko Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-foce'-ko) Short Definition: I dawn, am near commencing Definition: I dawn ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2020.htm - 6k
Library

On Commencing a Church and Cemetery.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCXCVIII. On Commencing a Church and Cemetery. 8.8.8.8 James
Montgomery. On Commencing a Church and Cemetery. Father of glory, God of grace! ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn ccxcviii on commencing a.htm

Constantine's Edict to the People of the Provinces Concerning the ...
... Chapter XLVIII."Constantine's Edict to the People of the Provinces concerning the
Error of Polytheism, commencing with Some General Remarks on Virtue and Vice ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xlviii constantines edict to the.htm

Love and Law.
... Mr. Allison. "I wish your services, Mr. Denton," said he, "in a suit of
great importance that I am about commencing. Here is your ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/love and law.htm

An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... Before commencing the argument, it will be well to state on what principles, and
according to what rules, Scripture will be cited for conducting it. ...
/.../an essay on the scriptural.htm

Crossing the Hellespont.
... There was, however, a period of blustering winds and chilly rains which was called
winter, and Xerxes was compelled to wait, before commencing his invasion ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter v crossing the hellespont.htm

The Twenty-Second and Twenty-Third Verses
... now begins to be effected in him by the regenerating Spirit; for the subject of
increasing and progressive renovation, and that of commencing renovation, are ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/the twenty-second and twenty-third verses.htm

The National Preacher, Vol. 2 No. 7 Dec. 1827
... not appreciated? But, for rendering such a work pre-eminently useful, or
even commencing it, there must be union of effort. As it ...
/.../leland/the national preacher vol 2 no 7 dec 1827/title page.htm

The Death of Christ for his People
... It will be well for me, in commencing my discourse, to remind you that there is
no understanding the death of Christ unless we understand the person of Christ. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/the death of christ for.htm

"Because of his Importunity. "
... and I have increasingly, of late, felt that the time is drawing near, when the Lord
will give me all that which is requisite for commencing the building. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/muller/answers to prayer/because of his importunity.htm

Power "In" and "Upon. "
... places for the Holy Ghost. In the 40th chapter of Exodus, commencing with
the 33d verse, are these words: "And he (that is Moses ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter ii power in and.htm

Thesaurus
Commencing (1 Occurrence)
...Commencing (1 Occurrence). Acts 8:35 Then Philip began to speak, and, commencing
with that same portion of Scripture, told him the Good News about Jesus. (WEY). ...
/c/commencing.htm - 6k

Commencement (22 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The first existence of anything; act or
fact of commencing; rise; origin; beginning; start. 2. (n ...
/c/commencement.htm - 14k

Commend (22 Occurrences)

/c/commend.htm - 15k

Vale (20 Occurrences)
...Commencing near Hebron, close to Beit Sur, it descends under the name Wady es Sur
in a more or less northerly direction until near Beit Nettif where it turns ...
/v/vale.htm - 29k

New (1850 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Newly beginning or recurring; starting anew; now commencing; different
from has been; as, a new year; a new course or direction. ...
/n/new.htm - 101k

Natural (49 Occurrences)
... to, to be taken in, or referred to, some system, in which the base is 1; -- said
or certain functions or numbers; as, natural numbers, those commencing at 1 ...
/n/natural.htm - 42k

Weeks (17 Occurrences)
... This period, commencing with "the going forth of the commandments to restore and
build Jerus" (Daniel 9:25), is divided into three parts, 7 weeks (49 years ...
/w/weeks.htm - 16k

Feast (209 Occurrences)
... ded-i-ka'-shun (ta egkainia, John 10:22): A feast held by the Jews throughout the
country for eight days, commencing on the 25th Kiclev (December), in ...
/f/feast.htm - 47k

Elam (24 Occurrences)
...Commencing near Hebron, close to Beit Sur, it descends under the name Wady es Sur
in a more or less northerly direction until near Beit Nettif where it turns ...
/e/elam.htm - 48k

Elamites (2 Occurrences)
...Commencing near Hebron, close to Beit Sur, it descends under the name Wady es Sur
in a more or less northerly direction until near Beit Nettif where it turns ...
/e/elamites.htm - 39k

Resources
Commencing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Commencing (1 Occurrence)

Acts 8:35
Then Philip began to speak, and, commencing with that same portion of Scripture, told him the Good News about Jesus.
(WEY)

Subtopics

Commencing

Related Terms

Recommend (2 Occurrences)

Deposit (19 Occurrences)

Commendatory (1 Occurrence)

Deaconess (1 Occurrence)

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)

Commending (4 Occurrences)

Vengeance (63 Occurrences)

Victuals (32 Occurrences)

Letters (51 Occurrences)

Wrong-doers (1 Occurrence)

Worse (62 Occurrences)

Inscribe (3 Occurrences)

Tricks (9 Occurrences)

Truths (15 Occurrences)

Remembering (14 Occurrences)

Right-doers (1 Occurrence)

Dealing (36 Occurrences)

Deacon (4 Occurrences)

Devotedly (1 Occurrence)

Measuring (42 Occurrences)

Marks (25 Occurrences)

Mamre (10 Occurrences)

Ministrant (15 Occurrences)

Magistrates (18 Occurrences)

Practices (80 Occurrences)

Phoebe (1 Occurrence)

Precisely (5 Occurrences)

Praise (487 Occurrences)

Phebe (1 Occurrence)

Betake (1 Occurrence)

Bold (21 Occurrences)

Ransomed (27 Occurrences)

Classify (1 Occurrence)

Commendable (4 Occurrences)

Cenchrea (2 Occurrences)

Countenance (67 Occurrences)

Cunning (43 Occurrences)

Commencing (1 Occurrence)

Cenchreae (2 Occurrences)

Compare (22 Occurrences)

Comparing (5 Occurrences)

Cen'chre-ae (2 Occurrences)

Commendation (2 Occurrences)

Approve (14 Occurrences)

Advance (33 Occurrences)

Advantage (44 Occurrences)

Applaud (1 Occurrence)

Agape

Somewhat (30 Occurrences)

Strive (64 Occurrences)

Straightforward (7 Occurrences)

Sister (113 Occurrences)

Feared (134 Occurrences)

Songs (100 Occurrences)

Begin (56 Occurrences)

Immanuel (3 Occurrences)

Taketh (398 Occurrences)

Feeling (59 Occurrences)

Practice (71 Occurrences)

Earnestly (78 Occurrences)

Nay (92 Occurrences)

Lizard (3 Occurrences)

Feel (58 Occurrences)

Behind (188 Occurrences)

Graecia

Minister (150 Occurrences)

Holding (62 Occurrences)

Second (2060 Occurrences)

Ghost (123 Occurrences)

Short (128 Occurrences)

Cried (255 Occurrences)

Assembly (371 Occurrences)

Korah (51 Occurrences)

Song (207 Occurrences)

Statement (88 Occurrences)

Beginning (187 Occurrences)

Redeem (56 Occurrences)

Ten (234 Occurrences)

Wrong (391 Occurrences)

Commencement of the Temple Reconstruction
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