Consecration in the biblical context refers to the act of setting apart a person, place, or object for the service and worship of God. This act is deeply rooted in the understanding of holiness and dedication to the divine purpose. Throughout the Scriptures, consecration is a recurring theme, emphasizing the need for purity, sanctity, and devotion to God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, consecration is often associated with the priesthood, the tabernacle, and the temple. The Hebrew word for consecration, "qadash," implies making something holy or setting it apart for God's use. One of the earliest instances of consecration is found in the instructions given to Moses regarding the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests. Exodus 28:41 states, "After you put these garments on your brother Aaron and his sons, anoint and ordain them. Consecrate them, so that they may serve Me as priests."

The consecration of the priests involved specific rituals, including washing, anointing with oil, and offering sacrifices (Exodus 29:1-9). These acts symbolized purification and dedication to God's service. The consecration of the tabernacle and its furnishings followed a similar pattern, as described in Exodus 40:9-11 : "Take the anointing oil and anoint the tabernacle and everything in it; consecrate it and all its furnishings, and it will be holy."

The concept of consecration extended beyond the priesthood and the tabernacle. The Israelites themselves were called to be a consecrated people, set apart for God. In Leviticus 20:7-8 , God commands, "Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am the LORD your God. Keep My statutes and practice them. I am the LORD who sanctifies you."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the theme of consecration continues, with a focus on the believer's life and the body of Christ, the Church. The Greek word "hagiazō" is often used to denote consecration or sanctification. Believers are called to present themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as seen in Romans 12:1 : "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."

Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate example of consecration. He consecrated Himself for the sake of His followers, as He states in John 17:19 : "For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth." Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, believers are consecrated and made holy.

The apostle Paul frequently emphasizes the call to holiness and consecration in the life of a Christian. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 , he writes, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Consecration in Worship and Practice

Consecration is not only a theological concept but also a practical aspect of Christian worship and life. It involves a commitment to live according to God's will, to pursue holiness, and to dedicate one's life to His service. This is reflected in the sacraments and ordinances of the Church, such as baptism and the Lord's Supper, which symbolize the believer's consecration to God.

In summary, consecration is a vital aspect of the biblical narrative, calling individuals and communities to a life of holiness, dedication, and service to God. It underscores the importance of being set apart for divine purposes, both in the Old and New Testaments.

Meditation ix. Private Instruction and Consecrations.
... MEDITATION IX. Private Instruction and Consecrations. Jesus gave his Apostles
some private instructions; he told them how they were ...
/.../meditation ix private instruction and.htm

Concerning Sacerdotal Consecrations.
... ECCLESIASTICAL HIERARCHY. CAPUT VI Concerning sacerdotal Consecrations.
Section I. Such, then, is the most Divine perfecting work ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput v i concerning sacerdotal.htm

Concerning the Ranks of the Initiated.
... I. Concerning the Ranks of the Initiated. Section I. These, then, are the sacerdotal
Ranks and elections, their powers, and operations, and consecrations. ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput vi i concerning the.htm

Of the Illicit Arts Connected with Demonolatry, and of which the ...
... he says, is prepared and fitted for intercourse with spirits and angels, and for
the vision of the gods, by the help of certain theurgic consecrations, or, as ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 9 of the illicit arts.htm

Whether this Sacrament Ought to be Celebrated in a House and with ...
... Therefore it is unbecoming for such consecrations to be performed in the Church. ...
But these latter consecrations are not commemorated in the Church. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether this sacrament ought to 2.htm

On Idolatry
... same idolatry, and partly of a superstition much worse than that of the heathens,
the papists afford not only in the dedications and consecrations of churches ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

part ii.
... Owing to the variety, extent, and complexity of men's avocations, some find it
convenient to make consecrations accurately proportionate to prosperity, much ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part ii.htm

Concerning the Trisagium ("The Thrice Holy").
... of a truth says [2048] , "Thus, then, the Holy of Holies, which is completely veiled
by the Seraphim, and is glorified with three consecrations, meet together ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter x concerning the trisagium the.htm

For what Is, or Can be the Fall of a Divine Adam under the Power.. ...
... Why is there all this stir about religions, expiations and atonements, why all these
priestly ordinations, consecrations, churches, sacraments, and prayers? ...
/.../address 146 0 0 for what is.htm

The Dedications in Every Place.
... 1. After this was seen the sight which had been desired and prayed for by us all;
feasts of dedication in the cities and consecrations of the newly built ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iii the dedications in every.htm

Consecrations (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Consecrations (6 Occurrences). Exodus 29:34 And
if ought of the flesh of the consecrations, or of the bread ...
/c/consecrations.htm - 8k

Waveth (3 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 8:29 and Moses taketh the breast, and waveth it -- a wave-offering before
Jehovah; of the ram of the consecrations it hath been to Moses for a portion ...
/w/waveth.htm - 7k

Consecutive (2 Occurrences)

/c/consecutive.htm - 7k

Consecration-offering (3 Occurrences)
Consecration-offering. Consecration, Consecration-offering. Consecrations . ...
(DBY). Consecration, Consecration-offering. Consecrations . Reference Bible
/c/consecration-offering.htm - 7k

Fire-offering (45 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 8:28 And Moses taketh them from off their hands, and maketh perfume on
the altar, on the burnt-offering, they 'are' consecrations for sweet fragrance ...
/f/fire-offering.htm - 21k

Fragrance (63 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 8:28 And Moses taketh them from off their hands, and maketh perfume on
the altar, on the burnt-offering, they 'are' consecrations for sweet fragrance ...
/f/fragrance.htm - 27k

Meat-offering (111 Occurrences)
... 7:37 This is the law of the burnt-offering, of the meat-offering, and of the
sin-offering, and of the trespass-offering, and of the consecrations, and of the ...
/m/meat-offering.htm - 40k

Savor (51 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 8:28 And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar
upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savor: it is ...
/s/savor.htm - 28k

Sweet (147 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 8:28 And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar
upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savor: it is ...
/s/sweet.htm - 40k

Bringeth (313 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 8:22 And he bringeth near the second ram, a ram of the consecrations,
and Aaron and his sons lay their hands on the head of the ram, (YLT). ...
/b/bringeth.htm - 37k

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