Topical Encyclopedia The concept of being "initiated" in the biblical context often relates to the beginning or introduction into a particular practice, covenant, or spiritual journey. While the term "initiated" itself is not frequently used in the Bible, the idea is present in various forms throughout the Scriptures.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, initiation is often associated with the covenantal relationship between God and His people. For instance, the rite of circumcision served as an initiation into the Abrahamic Covenant. Genesis 17:10-11 states, "This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you." This act was a physical and spiritual initiation into the community of God's chosen people. The initiation of priests into their sacred duties is another example. In Exodus 29, God provides detailed instructions for the consecration of Aaron and his sons, marking their initiation into the priesthood. This involved sacrifices, anointing, and the wearing of specific garments, symbolizing their set-apart status for service to the Lord. New Testament Context In the New Testament, initiation takes on a more spiritual dimension, particularly through the rite of baptism. Baptism is seen as an initiation into the Christian faith, symbolizing the believer's identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 28:19 , Jesus commands, "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." This act of baptism serves as an outward sign of an inward transformation and commitment to follow Christ. The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in Romans 6:3-4 : "Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore 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." Here, baptism is portrayed as an initiation into a new life in Christ, marking the believer's entry into the body of Christ, the Church. Spiritual Initiation Beyond physical rites, the Bible also speaks of spiritual initiation through the work of the Holy Spirit. In John 3:5 , Jesus tells Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." This spiritual rebirth is an initiation into the kingdom of God, signifying a transformation that is wrought by the Spirit, enabling believers to live according to God's will. The initiation into spiritual maturity is also a theme in the New Testament. Hebrews 6:1 encourages believers to "leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity," suggesting a process of growth and deeper initiation into the truths of the faith. Conclusion The concept of initiation in the Bible encompasses both physical rites and spiritual transformations, marking the beginning of a covenantal relationship with God, entry into the community of believers, and the ongoing journey of faith and maturity. Through these initiatory acts, believers are set apart for God's purposes and empowered to live according to His will. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (imp. & p. p.) of Initiate.Greek 3453. mueo -- to initiate into the mysteries, hence to instruct ... See also 3804 ("suffering"). [The metaphor was also used of "the initiatory rites of the pagan mysteries. 'I have been initiated' " (, 893).]. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3453.htm - 7k 3466. musterion -- a mystery or secret doctrine Strong's Hebrew 2585. Chanok -- four Israelites, sons of Cain, Jered, Midian and ...... Enoch. From chanak; initiated; Chanok, an antediluvian patriach -- Enoch. see HEBREW chanak. 2584, 2585. Chanok. 2586 . Strong's Numbers. /hebrew/2585.htm - 6k 2593. chanik -- trained, tried, experienced Library Concerning the Ranks of the Initiated. Reign of Theodosius the Great; He was Initiated into Divine ... It was Our Purpose to Leave Unnoticed those Mysteries Also into ... What those who were to be Initiated Promised on Entering the ... The views of Redemption Entertained by These Heretics. Exhortation to Abandon their Old Errors and Listen to the ... Election of Nectarius to the See of Constantinople; his Birthplace ... Instructions to Catechumens. The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables ... So Also the Mysteries of Mithras are Distorted from the Prophecies ... Thesaurus Initiated (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Initiated (2 Occurrences). ... I am fully initiated into all the mysteries both of fulness and of hunger, of abundance and of want. ... /i/initiated.htm - 7k Mystery (31 Occurrences) Initiate (1 Occurrence) Enoch (18 Occurrences) Gnosticism Initiative (11 Occurrences) Apocrypha General (9 Occurrences) Fulness (76 Occurrences) Marriage (74 Occurrences) Resources What are the seven baptisms mentioned in the Bible, and what do they mean? | GotQuestions.orgDid David rape Bathsheba? | GotQuestions.org What is the origin of religion? | GotQuestions.org Initiated: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Initiated (2 Occurrences)Philippians 4:12 Hebrews 9:18 Subtopics Related Terms |
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