In the context of biblical theology, the term "affirming" can be understood as the act of confirming, supporting, or upholding certain truths, principles, or individuals. The Bible contains numerous instances where God, prophets, apostles, and believers affirm divine truths, moral principles, and the faith of others.

Affirmation of God's Promises

Throughout Scripture, God affirms His promises to His people, providing assurance and hope. In Genesis 22:16-18, God reaffirms His covenant with Abraham, saying, "By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore." This divine affirmation underscores God's faithfulness and the certainty of His promises.

Affirmation of Jesus Christ

The New Testament is replete with affirmations of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. In Matthew 3:17, during Jesus' baptism, God the Father affirms His Sonship, declaring, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." This divine affirmation serves as a foundational truth for Christian faith, confirming Jesus' identity and mission.

Affirmation of Faith

Believers are called to affirm their faith in Christ and the truths of the Gospel. In Romans 10:9, the Apostle Paul writes, "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." This passage highlights the importance of verbal and heartfelt affirmation of faith as a means of salvation.

Affirmation of Moral and Ethical Principles

The Bible also emphasizes the affirmation of moral and ethical principles. In Philippians 4:8, Paul encourages believers to affirm and dwell on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things." This call to affirm virtuous qualities reflects the biblical mandate to uphold righteousness.

Affirmation of Others

Scripture encourages believers to affirm and encourage one another in their faith and good works. Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This passage underscores the importance of mutual affirmation within the Christian community to foster spiritual growth and perseverance.

Affirmation in the Early Church

The early church practiced affirmation through the laying on of hands and the commissioning of leaders. In Acts 13:2-3, the Holy Spirit affirms the calling of Barnabas and Saul for missionary work: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off." This act of affirmation was integral to the church's mission and governance.

In summary, the concept of affirming in the Bible encompasses the confirmation of divine promises, the affirmation of Jesus Christ's identity, the declaration of faith, the upholding of moral principles, the encouragement of fellow believers, and the commissioning of leaders. These affirmations serve to strengthen the faith and resolve of God's people, ensuring the continuity of His truth and mission throughout generations.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Affirm.420. anexikakos -- enduring evil
... injury. [420 () shows "the quality of patiently affirming a belief in face
of mockery (Wis 2:19)" (Nigel Turner, , 321).]. Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/420.htm - 7k

Coelestius Concedes Baptism for Infants, Without Affirming ...
... Book II. On Original Sin. Chapter 4."Coelestius Concedes Baptism for Infants,
Without Affirming Original Sin. You, of course, see ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 4 coelestius concedes baptism for.htm

Earliest Heretics:
... Afterwards, again, followed Saturninus: he, too, affirming that the innascible
[8340] Virtue, that is God, abides in the highest regions, and that those ...
/.../tertullian/against all heresies/chapter i earliest heretics .htm

Christ's Refutation of the Sadducees, and Affirmation of Catholic ...
... For since the Sadducees indeed denied the resurrection, whilst the Lord affirmed
it; since, too, (in affirming it,) He reproached them as being both ignorant ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xxxvi christs refutation of the.htm

But I have Said that These Men Would have Been Unable to Find ...
... Origen in this passage has defended the faith of the church against them, affirming
that God is wholly without bodily form, and therefore also invisible; and ...
/.../17 but i have said.htm

Writing i. Africanus on the Genealogy in the Holy Gospels. ...
... children. The evangelists, therefore, would thus have spoken falsely, affirming
what was not truth, but a fictitious commendation. ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/writing i africanus on the.htm

Disputed Questions About the Limits of Knowledge and Certainty in ...
... baffled the most acute men of the Academy, whether a wise man ought ever to affirm
anything positively lest he be involved in the error of affirming as true ...
/.../handbook on faith hope and love/chapter vii disputed questions about.htm

Prior to the fall of the Empire in the middle of the fifteenth ...
... decreed that the title Theotokos (God-bearer) should be applied to the Virgin, and
at the Council of Chalcedon this was repeated, affirming that Christ was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns of the holy eastern church/ii.htm

Absurdity of their Styling Themselves Spiritual, While the ...
... are in them, and maintain that they themselves are spiritual, while they are in
fact shamefully carnal on account of their so great impiety,"affirming that He ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxx absurdity of their styling.htm

An Account of the System of Heraclitus.
... a child." [975] And that the Father of all things that have been generated is an
unbegotten creature who is creator, let us hear Heraclitus affirming in these ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter iv an account of the.htm

Letter Lvi. --To the Emperor Jovian.
... For a certain Arius and those with him attempted to corrupt it, and to introduce
impiety in its place, affirming that the Son of God was from nought, and a ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter lvi to the emperor jovian.htm

Affirming (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Affirming (3 Occurrences). ... Acts 24:9 The Jews also joined
in the attack, affirming that these things were so. (WEB ASV RSV). ...
/a/affirming.htm - 7k

Ebionites
... Hebion. Others of the Fathers, without affirming it, use language which
seems to imply the belief in a person called Ebion. This ...
/e/ebionites.htm - 34k

Ebionism
... Hebion. Others of the Fathers, without affirming it, use language which
seems to imply the belief in a person called Ebion. This ...
/e/ebionism.htm - 34k

Omnipresence
... sometimes it speaks of God's omnipresence with reference to the pervasive immanence
of His being, it frequently contents itself with affirming the universal ...
/o/omnipresence.htm - 18k

Intervened (3 Occurrences)
... Luke 22:59 And one hour, as it were, having intervened, a certain other was confidently
affirming, saying, 'Of a truth this one also was with him, for he is ...
/i/intervened.htm - 7k

Protest (37 Occurrences)
... protest one's loyalty. 4. (vt) To call as a witness in affirming or denying,
or to prove an affirmation; to appeal to. 5. (n.) A ...
/p/protest.htm - 18k

Contrary (77 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Affirming the opposite; so opposed as to destroy each other; as, contrary
propositions. 5. (n.) A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities. ...
/c/contrary.htm - 31k

Accusation (25 Occurrences)
... bonds; (YLT NAS NIV). Acts 24:9 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming
that these things were so. (See NIV). Acts 24:19 They ...
/a/accusation.htm - 13k

Asserting (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Asserting (2 Occurrences). Acts 24:9 The Jews also joined
in the attack, affirming that these things were so. (See NAS NIV). ...
/a/asserting.htm - 7k

Apprehension (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The act of grasping with the intellect; the contemplation of things, without
affirming, denying, or passing any judgment; intellection; perception. ...
/a/apprehension.htm - 8k

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