Polling, in the modern sense, refers to the process of gathering opinions or votes from a group of people to determine the collective viewpoint or decision on a particular issue. While the Bible does not explicitly mention polling as it is understood today, the concept of seeking the opinion or decision of a group can be found in various biblical narratives and principles.

Biblical Instances of Collective Decision-Making

1. The Choosing of Matthias (Acts 1:23-26): After the betrayal and death of Judas Iscariot, the apostles sought to fill his position among the Twelve. They proposed two candidates, Joseph called Barsabbas and Matthias, and prayed for divine guidance. The decision was made by casting lots, a method used to discern God's will. "Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles" (Acts 1:26). This event reflects an early form of seeking a collective decision, albeit through divine intervention rather than human polling.

2. The Appointment of Deacons (Acts 6:1-6): As the early Church grew, the apostles faced challenges in meeting the needs of the community. To address this, they instructed the disciples to select seven men of good repute to serve. "This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism" (Acts 6:5). This instance demonstrates a form of communal decision-making where the congregation participated in selecting leaders.

Principles of Seeking Counsel and Wisdom

1. The Value of Counsel (Proverbs 11:14): The Bible emphasizes the importance of seeking counsel and wisdom from others. "For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14). This principle underscores the value of gathering opinions and advice to make informed decisions, akin to the purpose of modern polling.

2. Testing the Spirits (1 John 4:1): Believers are encouraged to discern and test the spirits to ensure alignment with God's truth. "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). This call for discernment can be related to the careful evaluation of collective opinions to ensure they align with biblical truth.

Cautions Against Conformity

1. The Danger of Following the Crowd (Exodus 23:2): The Bible warns against blindly following the majority. "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice" (Exodus 23:2). This caution serves as a reminder that the majority opinion is not always aligned with righteousness or truth.

2. The Narrow Path (Matthew 7:13-14): Jesus teaches about the narrow path that leads to life, contrasting it with the broad road leading to destruction. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). This teaching highlights the importance of seeking God's will over popular opinion.

In summary, while the Bible does not directly address polling, it provides principles and examples of collective decision-making, the value of counsel, and the need for discernment. These biblical insights can guide believers in understanding and evaluating the role of polling and collective opinion in decision-making processes.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Poll.

2. (n.) The act of topping, lopping, or cropping, as trees or hedges.

3. (n.) Plunder, or extortion.

4. (n.) The act of voting, or of registering a vote.

Epistle iv. To Cyriacus, Bishop.
... Whence it is rightly said through Ezekiel [1685] , Let not the priests shave their
heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; but polling let them poll their ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle iv to cyriacus bishop.htm

That the Ruler Relax not his Care for the Things that are Within ...
... Hence it is well said to Ezekiel, The priests shall not shave their heads, nor suffer
their locks to grow long, but polling let them poll their heads (Ezekiel ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter vii that the ruler.htm

Only one Vote
... At last he stood at the polling place with two tickets in his hand" one, license;
the other, "No License." Sophistry, policy, avarice said: "Vote License ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/only one vote.htm

'A Dew from the Lord'
... of what there is a danger"Christian men and women moving in their families, going
into town councils, going into Parliament, going to the polling booths, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a dew from the lord.htm

Another Sermon of M. Latimer, Concerning the Same Matter.
... For if thou gettest thy goods by polling and extortion, or by any other unlawful
ways, then, if thou offer a thousand pound of it, it will stand thee in no ...
/.../sermons on the card and other discourses/another sermon of m latimer.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

Polling (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) Plunder, or extortion. 4. (n.) The act of voting, or of registering
a vote. Multi-Version Concordance Polling (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/polling.htm - 7k

Polleth (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Samuel 14:26 and in his polling his head -- and it hath been at the end of year
by year that he polleth 'it', for it 'is' heavy on him, and he hath polled it ...
/p/polleth.htm - 6k

Barber
... compare W. Max Muller, Asien und Europa, 296), that the business of the oriental
barber included, besides ceremonial shaving, the trimming and polling of the ...
/b/barber.htm - 11k

Polls (5 Occurrences)

/p/polls.htm - 8k

Booth (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A covered stall or temporary structure in a fair or market, or at
a polling place. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BOOTH. ...
/b/booth.htm - 11k

How should conflict in the church be handled? | GotQuestions.org

Polling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus