Topical Encyclopedia Fasting, a spiritual discipline observed throughout the Bible, often accompanies the confession of sin as a means of seeking God's mercy and forgiveness. This practice is deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition, where fasting serves as an expression of humility, repentance, and a desire for spiritual renewal.Old Testament Examples In the Old Testament, fasting accompanied by confession of sin is prominently featured in several narratives. One notable instance is found in the book of Nehemiah. After the return from exile, the Israelites gathered to hear the Law, and their response was one of deep contrition. Nehemiah 9:1-2 records, "On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers." Similarly, the prophet Daniel exemplifies this practice. In Daniel 9:3-5 , Daniel writes, "So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: 'O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly and rebelled; we have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances.'" New Testament Insights The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing the importance of fasting in conjunction with repentance. While the New Testament does not provide as many explicit examples of fasting with confession, the principle is evident in the teachings of Jesus and the early church. In Matthew 6:16-18 , Jesus instructs His followers on the proper attitude towards fasting, implying that it should be a sincere act of devotion rather than a public display of piety. The early church also practiced fasting as part of their spiritual discipline. In Acts 13:2-3 , the church at Antioch fasted and prayed before commissioning Barnabas and Saul for missionary work, demonstrating their dependence on God's guidance and their desire for His will to be done. Theological Significance Fasting, when accompanied by confession of sin, serves as a powerful means of drawing closer to God. It is an acknowledgment of human frailty and a recognition of the need for divine grace. This practice underscores the biblical principle that true repentance involves both an inward change of heart and an outward expression of humility and contrition. Throughout Scripture, fasting with confession is portrayed as a way to seek God's favor and to align oneself with His purposes. It is a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the necessity of turning away from it to experience the fullness of God's forgiveness and restoration. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Samuel 7:6And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. Torrey's Topical Textbook Nehemiah 9:1,2 Library Repentance and victory Of the vision that Appeared to a Certain Man of God Before the ... The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566. Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ... Analysis of the Westminster Confession. Derivative Doctrines. Grace and the Means of Grace; the Christian ... Aron, Brother of Moses, 486, 487. The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ... Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility Letter xxxix. To Paula. Resources Why did Jesus fast? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Ramadan? | GotQuestions.org What is the meaning of Lent? | GotQuestions.org Fasting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Fasting by Paul, at the Time of his Conversion Fasting for the Chastening of the Soul Fasting for the Humbling of the Soul Fasting in Babylon, With Prayer for Divine Deliverance and Guidance Fasting in Prayer for Himself and his Adversaries Fasting in Times of Bereavement of Abner's Death Fasting in Times of Bereavement of David, at the Time of Saul's Death Fasting in Times of Bereavement of the People of Jabesh-Gilead, for Saul and his Sons Fasting of Ahab, when Elijah Prophesied the Destruction of Himself and his House Fasting of Darius, when he Put Daniel in the Lions' Den Fasting of Ezra, on Account of the Idolatrous Marriages of the Jews Fasting of Hypocrites: Boasted of, Before God Fasting of Hypocrites: Described Fasting of Hypocrites: Ostentatious Fasting of Hypocrites: Rejected Fasting of Nehemiah, on Account of the Desolation of Jerusalem and the Temple Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Anna Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Apostles Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Christians Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Cornelius Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Daniel Fasting of Saints Exemplified: David Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Disciples of John Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Esther Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Nehemiah Fasting of Saints Exemplified: Paul Fasting of the Consecration of the Elders Fasting of the Disciples, at the Time of the Consecration of Barnabas and Saul Fasting of the Jews, when Jeremiah Prophesied Against Judea and Jerusalem Fasting of the Wicked: Elders of Jezreel Fasting of the Wicked: Pharisees Fasting: Accompanied by Confession of Sin Fasting: Accompanied by Humiliation Fasting: Accompanied by Mourning Fasting: Accompanied by Prayer Fasting: At the Time of his Vision Fasting: During Forty Days: Jesus Fasting: During Forty Days: Moses Fasting: During the Sickness of the Child Born to Him by Bath-Sheba Fasting: Extraordinary Exemplified: Elijah Fasting: Extraordinary Exemplified: Moses Fasting: Extraordinary Exemplified: Our Lord Fasting: Fasting in the Conflict Between the Other Tribes With the Tribe of Benjamin Fasting: Habitual by Cornelius Fasting: Habitual by John's Disciples Fasting: Habitual by Pharisees Fasting: National Exemplified: Israel Fasting: National Exemplified: Men of Jabesh-Gilead Fasting: National Exemplified: Ninevites Fasting: Ninevites, when Jonah Preached to Them Fasting: Not to be Made a Subject of Display Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Afflictions of Others Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Afflictions of the Church Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Approaching Danger Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Judgments of God Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Ordination of Ministers Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Private Afflictions Fasting: Observed on Occasions of Public Calamities Fasting: On Account of the Captivity of the People, With Prayer for Their Deliverance Fasting: Ordination of Ministers Fasting: Prolonged for Forty Days, by Moses Fasting: Prolonged for Three Weeks, by Daniel Fasting: Promises Connected With Fasting: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Fasting: Upon the Death of Saul Fasting: when They Went to Mizpeh for the Ark of the Covenant Fasting: While Interceding in Prayer for his Friends Related Terms |
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