Topical Encyclopedia The concept of "enlist" in the Bible is not directly mentioned as a term, but the idea of being called to serve, particularly in a spiritual or divine capacity, is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. Enlistment, in a biblical sense, often refers to the call to serve God and His purposes, akin to a soldier being enlisted in an army.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the idea of being enlisted for God's service is evident in the calling of prophets, judges, and leaders. For instance, Gideon was called by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites. Judges 6:14 states, "The LORD turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?'" Here, Gideon is enlisted by God to lead and deliver His people. Similarly, the Levites were set apart for service in the tabernacle, as described in Numbers 3:6 : "Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him." This divine appointment can be seen as a form of enlistment into sacred service. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the concept of enlistment is more explicitly related to the spiritual warfare and the mission of spreading the Gospel. The Apostle Paul frequently uses military metaphors to describe the Christian life. In 2 Timothy 2:3-4 , Paul writes, "Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer." Here, believers are depicted as soldiers enlisted in the service of Christ, called to endure hardship and remain focused on their divine mission. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 can also be seen as a form of enlistment, where Jesus commands His disciples, "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 everything I have commanded you." This charge is a call to active service in the spiritual realm, enlisting believers in the mission of evangelism and discipleship. Spiritual Warfare The theme of spiritual warfare further illustrates the concept of enlistment. Ephesians 6:11-13 exhorts believers to "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the believer's role as a soldier in a spiritual battle, equipped and enlisted by God to stand firm against evil. Service and Commitment Enlistment in the biblical sense also involves a commitment to serve God wholeheartedly. Romans 12:1 urges believers, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." This call to present oneself as a living sacrifice is akin to enlisting in God's service, dedicating one's life to His purposes. In summary, while the term "enlist" is not explicitly used in the Bible, the concept is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing a call to serve, commitment to God's mission, and participation in spiritual warfare. Believers are depicted as soldiers in God's army, called to live lives of service, sacrifice, and dedication to the divine cause. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To enroll; to register; as to enlist for military service.2. (v. t.) To engage for military or naval service, the name being entered on a list or register; as, to enlist men. 3. (v. t.) To secure the support and aid of; to employ in advancing interest; as, to enlist persons in the cause of truth, or in a charitable enterprise. 4. (v. i.) To enroll and bind one's self for military or naval service; as, he enlisted in the regular army; the men enlisted for the war. 5. (v. i.) To enter heartily into a cause, as if enrolled. Greek 4758. stratologeo -- to enlist soldiers ... to enlist soldiers. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: stratologeo Phonetic Spelling: (strat-ol-og-eh'-o) Short Definition: I enlist troops Definition: I ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4758.htm - 6k Library The True Nonconformist. Loyal to the Core The Works of Hippolytus which have Reached Us. The Battle of Life On the Journey to Jerusalem - Departure from Ephraim by Way of ... Events During the War Preliminary Definition of the Subject Preface A Word for the Persecuted The Church and Rural Public Thought Thesaurus Enlist (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To enroll; to register; as to enlist for military service. ... Multi-Version Concordance Enlist (1 Occurrence). ... /e/enlist.htm - 7k List (17 Occurrences) Engage (20 Occurrences) Enlightens (1 Occurrence) Enroll (4 Occurrences) Enlisted (1 Occurrence) Bounty (14 Occurrences) Curse (211 Occurrences) Serving (85 Occurrences) Preaching (116 Occurrences) Resources Who was Nathan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the various Herods mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Moses in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Enlist: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Enlist (1 Occurrence)2 Timothy 2:4 Subtopics Related Terms |
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