The term "outset" refers to the beginning or initial stage of an event, process, or period. In the context of the Bible, the concept of an outset can be seen in various narratives and teachings that emphasize beginnings, whether they pertain to creation, covenants, or the start of significant events in the history of God's people.

Creation and the Outset of the World

The most profound outset in the Bible is the creation of the world. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This verse marks the outset of the universe, initiated by God's sovereign will and creative power. The creation narrative sets the stage for the unfolding of God's plan for humanity and the cosmos.

The Outset of Humanity

The creation of Adam and Eve represents the outset of humanity. Genesis 2:7 describes this moment: "Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being." This beginning establishes the unique relationship between God and humans, made in His image and entrusted with stewardship over creation.

Covenantal Outsets

Throughout the Bible, God establishes covenants with His people, each marking a new outset in His redemptive plan. The covenant with Noah, following the flood, is one such example. Genesis 9:11 records God's promise: "I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth." This covenant signifies a new beginning for humanity and the earth.

Similarly, the covenant with Abraham marks the outset of a chosen people through whom God would bless all nations. Genesis 12:1-3 recounts God's call to Abraham: "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you." This promise initiates the unfolding of God's plan for salvation history.

The Outset of Israel as a Nation

The Exodus from Egypt represents the outset of Israel as a nation. This pivotal event, led by Moses, is a foundational moment in which God delivers His people from bondage and establishes them as a distinct nation under His law. Exodus 12:41 notes, "At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions left Egypt." This departure marks the beginning of Israel's journey to the Promised Land and their identity as God's chosen people.

The Outset of the New Covenant

The New Testament introduces the outset of the New Covenant through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This new beginning is prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New. Jeremiah 31:31 foretells, "The days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah." Jesus, at the Last Supper, declares the establishment of this covenant in Luke 22:20 : "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you."

The Outset of the Church

The Day of Pentecost marks the outset of the Christian Church, as recorded in Acts 2. The Holy Spirit's descent upon the apostles empowers them to preach the gospel, leading to the conversion of thousands. Acts 2:41 states, "Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day." This event signifies the beginning of the Church's mission to spread the message of salvation to all nations.

Personal Outsets in Faith

The Bible also speaks to personal outsets in the life of believers. The call to repentance and faith in Christ marks the beginning of a new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 affirms, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" This transformation signifies the outset of a believer's journey in faith, characterized by a renewed relationship with God and a commitment to live according to His will.(n.) A setting out, starting, or beginning.

For Travellers at the Outset of any Journey.
... For Travellers At the Outset of any Journey. I. At the Outset of any Journey.
8,8,8+4. In Gottesnamen reisen wir. [225]Anon. In God's name let us on our way! ...
/.../for travellers at the outset.htm

The First Thing Suggested at the Very Outset Is...
... Of Prayer. John Calvin Chapter 36 The first thing suggested at the very
outset is? The first thing suggested at the very outset ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 36 the first thing.htm

Correspondence of St. Chrysostom with the Bishop of Rome.
... against him to the most devout Emperor, arrived bringing with him no small multitude
of Egyptian Bishops, as if wishing to show from the outset, that he came ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/correspondence of st chrysostom with 2.htm

Letters to Olympias.
... But if He does not effect this at the outset and speedily, such is His custom"He
does not at the beginning put down these terrible evils, but when they have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/letters to olympias.htm

Whether an Oath Has a Binding Force?
... First, because from the very outset it has an evil result, either through being
evil of its very nature (as, if a man were to swear to commit adultery), or ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether an oath has a.htm

The Entrance to the Life of Full Obedience
... But it is no mistake. The secret of success in a race is to have the goal
clearly defined, and aimed at from the very outset. He ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/the school of obedience/v the entrance to the.htm

The Scaffolding Left in the Body
... We are met, unfortunately, at the outset by one of those curious obstacles to inquiry
which have so often barred the way of truth and turned discovery into ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter ii the scaffolding left.htm

General Survey of the Ministry 106 the Attempt to Arrange an ...
... The attempt to arrange an orderly account of the way in which Jesus set about the
work to which he was called at his baptism is met at the outset by a problem. ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/i general survey of the.htm

Fear Not
... Frequently they occur at the outset of a religious life. ... He sits down then, and he
says, "If this be the trouble at the outset what may I expect as I proceed. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/fear not.htm

Whether the First Man's Pride Consisted in his Coveting God's ...
... First, as to natural being: and this likeness was imprinted from the very outset
of their creation, both on man"-of whom it is written (Gn.1:26) that God ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the first mans pride.htm

Outset (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A setting out, starting, or beginning.
Multi-Version Concordance Outset (1 Occurrence). Acts 26:5 ...
/o/outset.htm - 6k

Genesis
... universal character, includes all mankind in the promise given at the beginning
of the history of Abraham (12:1-3), it is from the outset distinctly declared ...
/g/genesis.htm - 40k

Leviticus (1 Occurrence)
... are constantly becoming more arbitrary and subjective; and that the absurd consequences
to which they consistently lead from the very outset arouse distrust as ...
/l/leviticus.htm - 42k

Outshining (1 Occurrence)

/o/outshining.htm - 6k

Outrun (1 Occurrence)

/o/outrun.htm - 6k

Threshold (28 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Fig.: The place or point of entering or beginning, entrance; outset; as,
the threshold of life. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. THRESHOLD. thresh'-old ...
/t/threshold.htm - 18k

Ecclesiastes (1 Occurrence)
... At the outset he had a noble ambition for wisdom and discipline, but all he attained
to was unreality and perplexity of mind (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18). ...
/e/ecclesiastes.htm - 27k

Preacher (27 Occurrences)
... At the outset he had a noble ambition for wisdom and discipline, but all he attained
to was unreality and perplexity of mind (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18). ...
/p/preacher.htm - 48k

Psychology
... has boldly asserted that "a system of Biblical psychology has been got together
without any justification for it in Scripture." At the outset, therefore, it ...
/p/psychology.htm - 38k

Creed
... the 7th). It is desirable, at the outset, to put these two forms of the
creed (in translation) clearly before the reader. 1. Old ...
/c/creed.htm - 43k

Does Egyptology confirm or deny the biblical record? | GotQuestions.org

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Outset: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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