Commission
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In the context of the Bible, the term "commission" refers to a mandate or authoritative charge given by God or Jesus Christ to individuals or groups to carry out specific tasks or missions. This concept is central to the understanding of the roles and responsibilities of believers as they engage in God's work on earth.

The Great Commission

The most well-known instance of a commission in the Bible is the Great Commission, given by Jesus Christ to His disciples after His resurrection. This is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew:

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)

This commission underscores the universal scope of the Gospel message and the responsibility of believers to spread the teachings of Christ throughout the world. It emphasizes the importance of discipleship, baptism, and obedience to Christ's commands.

Old Testament Commissions

The concept of a divine commission is also present in the Old Testament. God often commissioned prophets, judges, and leaders to fulfill His purposes. For example, Moses was commissioned to lead the Israelites out of Egypt:

"Now go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt." (Exodus 3:10)

Similarly, Joshua was commissioned to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land after Moses' death:

"Be strong and courageous, for you shall give these people the inheritance of the land that I swore to their fathers I would give them." (Joshua 1:6)

These commissions were accompanied by divine assurance and guidance, highlighting God's active role in the fulfillment of His plans.

Prophetic Commissions

Prophets in the Old Testament were often commissioned by God to deliver His messages to the people of Israel. Isaiah's commission is a notable example:

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" (Isaiah 6:8)

Isaiah's response to God's call exemplifies the willingness and readiness expected of those who are commissioned by God.

New Testament Commissions

In addition to the Great Commission, the New Testament contains other instances where individuals are commissioned for specific tasks. The Apostle Paul, for example, received a commission to preach to the Gentiles:

"But rise and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of Me." (Acts 26:16)

Paul's commission highlights the expansion of the Gospel beyond the Jewish community and the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The fulfillment of these commissions is often empowered by the Holy Spirit. In the Great Commission, Jesus promises His presence, which is realized through the Holy Spirit's indwelling in believers. The Holy Spirit equips and empowers Christians to carry out their God-given missions, providing guidance, strength, and boldness.

Conclusion

The concept of commission in the Bible is integral to understanding the mission and purpose of God's people. Whether through the Great Commission or individual callings, believers are charged with the responsibility to advance God's kingdom on earth, relying on His presence and power to accomplish the tasks set before them.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) The act of granting authority; also a sales fee to a brokerage.

2. (n.) The act of intrusting; a charge; instructions as to how a trust shall be executed.

3. (n.) The duty or employment entrusted to any person or persons; a trust; a charge.

4. (n.) A formal written warrant or authority, granting certain powers or privileges and authorizing or commanding the performance of certain duties.

5. (n.) A certificate conferring military or naval rank and authority; as, a colonel's commission.

6. (n.) A company of persons joined in the performance of some duty or the execution of some trust; as, the interstate commerce commission.

7. (n.) The acting under authority of, or on account of, another.

8. (n.) The thing to be done as agent for another; as, I have three commissions for the city.

9. (n.) The brokerage or allowance made to a factor or agent for transacting business for another; as, a commission of ten per cent on sales. See Del credere.

10. (v. t.) To give a commission to; to furnish with a commission; to empower or authorize; as, to commission persons to perform certain acts; to commission an officer.

11. (v. t.) To send out with a charge or commission.

Greek
2011. epitrope -- authority
... authority. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epitrope Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-trop-ay') Short Definition: commission, full power Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2011.htm - 6k

651. apostole -- a sending away
... a sending away. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apostole Phonetic
Spelling: (ap-os-tol-ay') Short Definition: commission, duty of apostle ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/651.htm - 6k

1291. diastello -- to set apart, fig. to distinguish, to charge ...
... expressly. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diastello Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-as-tel'-lom-ahee) Short Definition: I give a commission, order Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1291.htm - 7k

3201. memphomai -- to blame, find fault
... rejected because condemned") -- find fault, see as fully blameworthy (disgraceful,
condemnable); hence, rejected because deep wrongs by omission or commission. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3201.htm - 6k

2855. kollubistes -- a moneychanger
... 2855 -- properly, a charge ("commission") given to someone making a transaction
or exchange; in the NT a , converting "heathen currency" into "Jewish money" so ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2855.htm - 6k

649. apostello -- to send, send away
... Spelling: (ap-os-tel'-lo) Short Definition: I send forth, send, send away, dismiss
Definition: I send forth, send (as a messenger, commission, etc.), send away ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/649.htm - 10k

652. apostolos -- a messenger, one sent on a mission, an apostle
... Cognate: 652 (from 649 , "to commission, send forth") -- properly, someone sent
(commissioned), focusing back on the authority (commissioning) of the sender ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/652.htm - 7k

1821. exapostello -- to send forth or away
... task). 1821 (from 1537 , "out from" intensifying 649 , "commission, send
forth") -- properly, send ("sent out from"). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1821.htm - 7k

273. amemptos -- blameless
... 273 (an adjective, derived from 1 "not" and 3201 , "to find blame") -- properly,
without fault; , by omission or commission; hence, above reproach because ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/273.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
1881. dath -- decree, law
... commandment, commission, decree, law, manner. Of uncertain (perhaps foreign)
derivation: a royal edict or statute -- commandment, commission ...
/hebrew/1881.htm - 6k

4400. malakuth -- a message
... 4399, 4400. malakuth. 4401 . a message. Transliteration: malakuth Phonetic
Spelling: (mal-ak-ooth') Short Definition: commission. ...
/hebrew/4400.htm - 6k

6680. tsavah -- to lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command ...
... appoints (1), charge (5), charged (17), charging (1), command (56), commanded (332),
commander (1), commanding (18), commands (6), commission (3), commissioned ...
/hebrew/6680.htm - 6k

Library

The Great Commission
... Lesson 3 The Great Commission. After the death ... the Saviour. Before ascending
to heaven, Christ gave His disciples their commission. He ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 3 the great commission.htm

The World-Wide Commission
... THE WORLD-WIDE COMMISSION. 'Every creature.'"Mark 16:15. The missionary
enterprise has been put on many bases. People do not like ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the world-wide commission.htm

The New Leaders Commission
... THE BOOK OF JOSHUA THE NEW LEADERS COMMISSION. 'Now after the death of Moses
the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the new leaders commission.htm

The Apostles' Commission; Or, the Gospel Attested by Miracles ...
... Hymns. Book 1. Hymn 1:128. The Apostles' commission; or, The gospel attested
by miracles, Mark 16. 15 &c. Matt. 28. 18 &c. 1 "Go ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 130555556 the apostles commission.htm

Whether Sins of Commission and Omission Differ Specifically?
... OF THE DISTINCTION OF SINS (NINE ARTICLES) Whether sins of commission and
omission differ specifically? Objection 1: It would seem ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sins of commission and.htm

Christ's Commission, John 3 16 17
... Christ's commission, John 3. 16 17. ... 3 Thy hands, dear Jesus, were not arm'd With
a revenging rod, No hard commission to perform The vengeance of a God. ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 154861111 christs commission john.htm

Relation of the Former Commission Given by Jesus to the Disciples ...
... Book XII. 15. Relation of the Former Commission Given by Jesus to the Disciples,
to His Present Injunction of Silence. Belief and Knowledge Contrasted. ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/15 relation of the former.htm

From his Commission to Reside Abroad in 1820 to his Removal to ...
... CHAPTER III. FROM HIS COMMISSION TO RESIDE ABROAD IN 1820 TO HIS REMOVAL TO GERMANY
IN 1822. In 1822 John Yeardley went to reside in Germany. ...
/.../chapter iii from his commission.htm

The Great Confession - the Great Commission - the Great ...
... CHAPTER XXXVII. THE GREAT CONFESSION - THE GREAT COMMISSION - THE GREAT
INSTRUCTION - THE GREAT TEMPTATION - THE GREAT DECISION. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxvii the great confession.htm

The Apostles' Commission. Mark 16:15Ff; Matt. 28:18Ff.
... HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS IN THREE BOOKS. HYMN 128 The apostles' commission. Mark
16:15ff; Matt. ... LM The apostles' commission. Mark 16:15ff; Matt.28:18ff. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 128 the apostles commission.htm

Thesaurus
Commission (11 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A certificate conferring military or naval rank and authority;
as, a colonel's commission. 6. (n.) A company of persons ...
/c/commission.htm - 11k

Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... It is probable that Gideon had already distinguished himself in resistance to the
Midianites (Judges 6:12), but he now receives Divine commission to assume the ...
/g/gideon.htm - 36k

Apostle (25 Occurrences)
... 15). To them, as representing his church, he gave the commission to "preach
the gospel to every creature" (Matthew 28:18-20). After ...
/a/apostle.htm - 87k

Jonah (30 Occurrences)
... It gives an account of (1) his divine commission to go to Nineveh, his disobedience,
and the punishment following (1:1-17); (2) his prayer and miraculous ...
/j/jonah.htm - 35k

Miracle (15 Occurrences)
... simple volition of God, operating without the use of means capable of being discerned
by the senses, and designed to authenticate the divine commission of a ...
/m/miracle.htm - 44k

Mission (14 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of sending, or the state of being sent; a being sent or delegated
by authority, with certain powers for transacting business; commission. ...
/m/mission.htm - 11k

Catechist
... The basis for the Christian catechumenate we find in the great commission
(Matthew 28:19, 20). The aim of this commission was to ...
/c/catechist.htm - 12k

Catechumen
... The basis for the Christian catechumenate we find in the great commission
(Matthew 28:19, 20). The aim of this commission was to ...
/c/catechumen.htm - 12k

Latin (2 Occurrences)
... It is therefore more convenient to begin a study of its history with Jerome toward
the close of the 4th century and the commission entrusted to him by Pope ...
/l/latin.htm - 28k

Moses (9295 Occurrences)
... in the shop of a Galilean carpenter; so Moses a shepherd in the Bedouin country,
in the "waste, howling wilderness." 5. Leader of Israel: (1) The Commission. ...
/m/moses.htm - 53k

Resources
What is a sin of commission? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Great Commission? | GotQuestions.org

What is Christ Commission Fellowship? | GotQuestions.org

Commission: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Commission (11 Occurrences)

Matthew 13:41
The Son of Man will commission His angels, and they will gather out of His Kingdom all causes of sin and all who violate His laws;
(WEY)

Acts 26:12
"Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 9:17
For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.
(See RSV)

2 Corinthians 8:19
And more than that, he is the one who was chosen by the vote of the Churches to travel with us, sharing our commission in the administration of this generous gift to promote the Lord's glory and gratify our own strong desire.
(WEY)

Colossians 1:25
of which I -- I did become a ministrant according to the dispensation of God, that was given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God,
(See NIV)

Numbers 27:19
and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and commission him in their sight.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 3:28
But commission Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you shall see."
(WEB NIV)

Deuteronomy 31:14
Yahweh said to Moses, "Behold, your days approach that you must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the Tent of Meeting, that I may commission him." Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the Tent of Meeting.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Ezra 8:17
And I gave them a commission to Iddo the chief, at the place Casiphia, and I put words in their mouths to say to Iddo and his brethren the Nethinim, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring to us ministers for the house of our God.
(DBY)

Isaiah 10:6
I will send him against a nation of wrongdoers, and against the people of my wrath I will give him orders, to take their wealth in war, crushing them down like the dust in the streets.
(See NAS)

Haggai 1:13
Then Haggai, Yahweh's messenger, spoke Yahweh's message to the people, saying, "I am with you," says Yahweh.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Commission

Related Terms

Lieutenant

Nicanor (1 Occurrence)

Ensign (21 Occurrences)

Commissioners (7 Occurrences)

Commission (11 Occurrences)

Nun (31 Occurrences)

Unlike (13 Occurrences)

Officer (70 Occurrences)

Justice (212 Occurrences)

Galatians (2 Occurrences)

Gabriel (5 Occurrences)

Fraudulent (2 Occurrences)

Transparent (7 Occurrences)

Rezin (11 Occurrences)

Deputation (3 Occurrences)

Delegation (5 Occurrences)

Messiah (9 Occurrences)

Motives (13 Occurrences)

Presbytery (1 Occurrence)

Collector (8 Occurrences)

Cornet (8 Occurrences)

Christ (573 Occurrences)

Ambassador (5 Occurrences)

Samaias

Silas (22 Occurrences)

Holofernes

Vulgate

Heliodorus

Apostle (25 Occurrences)

Directed (75 Occurrences)

Instructed (80 Occurrences)

Moses (9295 Occurrences)

Courage (74 Occurrences)

Separate (115 Occurrences)

Ezra (28 Occurrences)

Teachers (87 Occurrences)

Angel (209 Occurrences)

Presence (527 Occurrences)

Chronology

Swore (109 Occurrences)

Hucksters (1 Occurrence)

Promised (150 Occurrences)

Communion (8 Occurrences)

Joshua (211 Occurrences)

Apocryphal

Army (401 Occurrences)

Roman (26 Occurrences)

Acts (271 Occurrences)

New (1850 Occurrences)

Law (670 Occurrences)

Testament (13 Occurrences)

Commissary for Royal Households
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