The concept of participation in the Bible often involves the idea of sharing, partaking, or being involved in a particular activity, event, or spiritual reality. This participation can be both physical and spiritual, and it is frequently associated with the communal aspects of faith, worship, and the life of the believer.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, participation is often seen in the context of communal worship and covenantal relationships. The Israelites participated in the feasts and sacrifices as a community, which were central to their worship and identity as God's chosen people. For example, during the Passover, the Israelites were commanded to participate in the meal as a remembrance of their deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12:14-17). This participation was not merely a ritual but a means of identifying with the salvific acts of God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of participation takes on a deeper spiritual dimension, particularly through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Believers are called to participate in the life of Christ, which includes sharing in His sufferings and glory. The Apostle Paul frequently uses the language of participation to describe the believer's union with Christ. In Romans 6:4, Paul writes, "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, participation in Christ's death and resurrection is central to the believer's new identity.

The Lord's Supper, or Communion, is another significant aspect of participation in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 10:16, Paul states, "Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?" This sacrament is a means by which believers participate in the body and blood of Christ, symbolizing their unity with Him and with one another.

Spiritual Participation

Participation in the spiritual sense also involves the sharing of spiritual gifts and the work of the Holy Spirit within the community of believers. In 1 Corinthians 12:7, Paul explains, "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." The gifts of the Spirit are given to believers so that they may participate in the building up of the body of Christ, each contributing to the whole.

Moral and Ethical Participation

The Bible also addresses the moral and ethical dimensions of participation. Believers are called to participate in the holiness and righteousness of God, avoiding participation in the sinful practices of the world. Ephesians 5:11 exhorts, "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." Here, participation is framed as a choice between aligning with God's righteousness or the world's sinfulness.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, participation is a multifaceted concept that encompasses worship, community, spiritual union, and ethical living. It is through participation that believers experience the fullness of their faith and the reality of their relationship with God and one another.(imp. & p. p.) of Participate.

Refutation of the views of the Heretics as to the Future Destiny ...
... must have power to save the bodies also [which these souls inhabited]; for why should
it not save them, since they, too, participated in righteousness? ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxix refutation of the views.htm

Subject Continued. Objection, that the Son's Eternity Makes Him ...
... of the Father in partaking of the Son, He is the whole participation of the Father,
that is, He is the Son by nature; for to be wholly participated is to beget ...
/.../chapter v subject continued objection that.htm

Whether the Soul is Composed of Matter and Form?
... thereof, are diverse, so that there cannot be one potentiality which receives all
acts, as there is one act, from which all participated acts are derived; for ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the soul is composed.htm

Whether the Union of the Incarnation Took Place by Grace?
... Reply to Objection 1: The grace which is an accident is a certain likeness
of the Divinity participated by man. But by the Incarnation ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the union of the 6.htm

Whether a Body Can be Active?
... For Plato held that all forms existing in corporeal matter are participated thereby,
and determined and limited thereto; and that separate forms are absolute ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a body can be.htm

Whether God is Composed of Matter and Form?
... Secondly, because everything composed of matter and form owes its perfection and
goodness to its form; therefore its goodness is participated, inasmuch as ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether god is composed of.htm

Whether the Intelligible Species are Derived by the Soul from ...
... He said therefore that these forms are participated both by our soul and by corporeal
matter; by our soul, to the effect of knowledge thereof, and by corporeal ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the intelligible species are.htm

Whether Habits Increase?
... And therefore every form which is participated substantially by its subject, cannot
vary in intensity and remission: wherefore in the genus of substance ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether habits increase.htm

What is Meant by the Appellation "Angels?"
... For they would not be, unless they had participated in the Essence and Origin of
things being. All things then, without life, participate in It by their being. ...
/.../dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput iv what is meant.htm

Hallowed be Thy Name
... It is exalting the name of God together when, after one has participated in an outflow
of deity in having been sustained by God and having overcome his enemies ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter xiv hallowed be thy.htm

Participated (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Participated (3 Occurrences). ... Psalms 50:18 When you saw
a thief, you consented with him, and have participated with adulterers. (WEB). ...
/p/participated.htm - 7k

Participate (7 Occurrences)
... Romans 15:27 They have been well pleased indeed, and they are their debtors; for
if the nations have participated in their spiritual things, they ought also in ...
/p/participate.htm - 8k

Between (2624 Occurrences)
... 4. (prep.) Belonging to, or participated in by, two, and involving reciprocal action
or affecting their mutual relation; as, opposition between science and ...
/b/between.htm - 36k

Experience (28 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The effect upon the judgment or feelings produced by any event, whether
witnessed or participated in; personal and direct impressions as contrasted ...
/e/experience.htm - 17k

Delos
... Every five years the famous Delian festival was celebrated with prophecies, athletic
contests and games of every kind. All the nations of Greece participated. ...
/d/delos.htm - 10k

Participates (2 Occurrences)

/p/participates.htm - 7k

Consented (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Psalms 50:18 When you saw a thief, you consented with
him, and have participated with adulterers. (WEB KJV ASV WBS). ...
/c/consented.htm - 9k

Aretas (1 Occurrence)
... He participated with Hyrcanus in the war for the Jewish throne against his brother
Aristobulus, but the allies were completely defeated at Papyron, by ...
/a/aretas.htm - 11k

Azaziah (3 Occurrences)
... az-a-zi'-a (`azazyahu, "Yahweh is strong," or "strengthens"): (1) A Levite musician
who participated in the services held on the return of the ark to Jerusalem ...
/a/azaziah.htm - 8k

Adulterers (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WBS YLT). Psalms 50:18 When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and
have participated with adulterers. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/a/adulterers.htm - 9k

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Participated: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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