Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "quickening" in the context of the Scriptures refers to the act of being made alive or revitalized spiritually. The Bible, as the inspired Word of God, serves as a divine instrument for quickening the hearts and minds of believers, bringing spiritual life and renewal.
Biblical FoundationThe Scriptures are replete with references to the quickening power of God's Word. In
Psalm 119:50 , the psalmist declares, "This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life." Here, the term "life" signifies the quickening effect of God's promises, providing comfort and spiritual vitality in times of distress.
Similarly,
Psalm 119:93 states, "I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me." The psalmist acknowledges the life-giving power of God's commandments, which serve to revive and sustain the believer.
The Role of the Holy SpiritThe quickening work of the Scriptures is closely associated with the ministry of the Holy Spirit. In
John 6:63 , Jesus emphasizes, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." This passage highlights the spiritual nature of Christ's words, which, through the Holy Spirit, impart life to the believer.
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in
Romans 8:11 : "And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who dwells within you." The indwelling Holy Spirit uses the Scriptures to quicken and transform the believer's life.
Practical ImplicationsThe quickening power of the Scriptures is not merely theoretical but has practical implications for the believer's daily walk.
Hebrews 4:12 affirms, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart." The living nature of God's Word actively works within the believer, discerning and transforming their innermost being.
Moreover, the Scriptures provide guidance and strength for the believer's journey. In
2 Timothy 3:16-17 , Paul writes, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." The quickening effect of the Scriptures equips believers for righteous living and effective service.
ConclusionThe Scriptures, as the divinely inspired Word of God, are designed for the quickening of the believer. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Bible imparts spiritual life, comfort, and guidance, enabling believers to grow in their faith and live out their calling in Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 119:50,93This is my comfort in my affliction: for your word has quickened me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Duty of Searching the Scriptures
... profitable to us, as they were designed for reproof ... you, before you read the scriptures,
to pray ... influence, and feel him enlightening, quickening, and inflaming ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the duty of searching the.htm
We Should not Hastily Impute as Crimes to the Men of Old Time ...
... to those actions, again, on which the Scriptures pass no ... lust [in his actions], the
arrangement [designed by God ... who could impart to them quickening seed, and ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxi we should not hastily.htm
"That which we have Heard and Seen of the Word of Life, Declare we ...
... seems to blow up the whole design of quickening dead sinners, when he who was designed
Captain of ... with us and opened to us the scriptures?" We heard him ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iii that which we.htm
On Singing and Music.
... worship, which depends upon the enlightening, quickening power of ... for this practice
in the Scriptures in gospel ... of our compassionate Redeemer, designed to draw ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/on singing and music/on singing and music.htm
The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... The Scriptures furnish no very specific instructions as to the ... 224:4] This discipline
was designed to teach ... by petition or remonstrance, in quickening the zeal ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm
On the Holy Spirit
... preaching, and death of Jesus Christ were designed to represent ... and was made to us,
"a quickening spirit;" by ... and farther yet into the holy Scriptures; for the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 141 on the holy.htm
The Waldenses.
... God designed the Bible to be a lesson-book to all ... The study of the Scriptures is
the means divinely ... life, in expanding the mind and quickening the perceptions. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /4 the waldenses.htm
The Waldenses
... God designed the Bible to be a lessonbook to all ... The study of the Scriptures is the
means divinely ... life, in expanding the mind and quickening the perceptions. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 4 the waldenses.htm
part i.
... a system of benevolence is designed to combat the ... this heaven-born principle,
controlling, quickening, inspiring all ... This position accords with the Scriptures. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part i.htm
He Recognises the Falsity of his Own Opinions, and Commits to ...
... 6. I rejoiced also that the old Scriptures of the ... the antitype, but must have been
designed to resemble it ... of the law, as compared with the quickening power of ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter iv he recognises the falsity.htm
Resources
What are redaction criticism and higher criticism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is new covenant theology? | GotQuestions.orgI am a Jehovah's Witness. Why should I consider becoming a Christian? | GotQuestions.orgScriptures: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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