The term "presided" refers to the act of leading, governing, or overseeing a group, assembly, or event. In the context of the Bible, this concept is often associated with leadership roles, whether in religious, judicial, or communal settings. The role of presiding is significant in both the Old and New Testaments, where leaders are appointed to guide and make decisions for the people according to God's will.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of presiding is evident in the roles of judges, kings, and priests. These leaders were often chosen by God to preside over the people of Israel, ensuring that His laws and commandments were upheld. For example, Moses is a prominent figure who presided over the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt. He acted as a mediator between God and the people, delivering God's laws and judgments.

The book of Judges provides numerous examples of individuals who presided over Israel during times of crisis. Judges like Deborah and Gideon were raised by God to lead and deliver Israel from oppression. In 1 Samuel 8:5-6, the Israelites request a king to preside over them, saying, "Behold, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations." This request led to the anointing of Saul as the first king of Israel, who presided over the nation.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of presiding is often associated with the leadership roles within the early Church. The apostles and elders were appointed to preside over the congregations, ensuring that the teachings of Jesus Christ were faithfully communicated and practiced. In Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council is an example where the apostles and elders presided over a significant doctrinal discussion, ultimately deciding on the requirements for Gentile believers.

The pastoral epistles, such as 1 Timothy and Titus, provide instructions for those who preside over the church. In 1 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul outlines the qualifications for overseers, stating, "If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach..." These qualifications emphasize the moral and spiritual integrity required for those who preside over the church.

Spiritual Leadership

Presiding in a biblical sense is not merely about authority but also about servanthood and stewardship. Jesus Christ exemplified the ultimate model of presiding through His life and ministry. In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus teaches His disciples about true leadership: "You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

Thus, presiding in the biblical context involves guiding others with humility, wisdom, and a heart aligned with God's purposes. Whether in the context of ancient Israel or the early Church, those who preside are called to lead by example, reflecting the character and teachings of Christ.(imp. & p. p.) of Preside.

The Synod Held at Carthage Over which Presided the Great and Holy ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. The Synod held at Carthage over which presided
the Great and Holy Martyr Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage. ad257. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the synod held at carthage.htm

Of the Death of the Kings Oswy and Eghert, and of the Synod Held ...
... BOOK IV CHAP. V. Of the death of the kings Oswy and Eghert, and of the synod held
at the place Herutford, in which Archbishop Theodore presided. [670-673 AD]. ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap v of the death.htm

Of the Humility of Abbot Pinufius, who Left a Very Famous ...
... Of the humility of Abbot Pinufius, who left a very famous Coenobium over which he
presided as Presbyter, and out of the love of subjection sought a distant ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxx of the humility.htm

Which of the Gods Can the Romans Suppose Presided Over the ...
... Chapter 8."Which of the Gods Can the Romans Suppose Presided Over the Increase and
Preservation of Their Empire, When They Have Believed that Even the Care ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 8 which of the gods.htm

The Author's Opinion of the Validity of Translations from one See ...
... that he should be assigned to the metropolitan see of Corinth, which had become
vacant by the decease of its former bishop; here he presided during the rest of ...
/.../chapter xxxvi the authors opinion of.htm

The Question Then Agitated Concerning the Passover.
... extant a writing of those who were then assembled in Palestine, over whom Theophilus,
[1689] bishop of C??sarea, and Narcissus, bishop of Jerusalem, presided. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxiii the question then agitated.htm

The Disagreement in Asia.
... 9. Thereupon Victor, who presided over the church at Rome, immediately attempted
to cut off from the common unity the parishes of all Asia, with the churches ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxiv the disagreement in asia.htm

Polycrates, Bishop of Ephesus.
... Our author belonged to a family in which he was the eighth Christian bishop; and
he presided over the church of Ephesus, in which the traditions of St. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/polycrates bishop of ephesus.htm

How the South Saxons Received Eadbert and Eolla, and the West ...
... One of them was given to Daniel, which he governs to this day; the other to Aldhelm,
wherein he presided most vigorously four years; both of them were fully ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xviii how the south.htm

Another Kind of Men Living Together in Cities. Fasts of Three Days ...
... I saw at Milan a lodging-house of saints, in number not a few, presided over
by one presbyter, a man of great excellence and learning. ...
/.../chapter 33 name kind of.htm

Presided (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Preside. Multi-Version Concordance
Presided (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles 34:13 Also they ...
/p/presided.htm - 6k

President (5 Occurrences)

/p/president.htm - 8k

Ministry (44 Occurrences)
... But once accepted they took a higher place than the office-bearers, they presided
at the Lord's Supper, and their judgment in cases of discipline could ...
/m/ministry.htm - 51k

Olympius
... OLYMPIUS. o-lim'-pi-us (Olumpios): An epithet of JUPITER or ZEUS (which see) from
Mt. Olympus in Thessaly, where the gods held court presided over by Zeus. ...
/o/olympius.htm - 6k

James (40 Occurrences)
... He appears to have occupied the position of head of the Church at Jerusalem, where
he presided at the council held to consider the case of the Gentiles (Acts 12 ...
/j/james.htm - 78k

Judge (297 Occurrences)
... This is the name given to those rulers who presided over the affairs of the Israelites
during the interval between the death of Joshua and the accession of ...
/j/judge.htm - 46k

Lod (4 Occurrences)
... Lydda presided over one of the toparchies under Jerusalem, into which Judea was
divided (BJ, III, iii, 5). After the death of Julius Caesar the inhabitants of ...
/l/lod.htm - 11k

Lydda (3 Occurrences)
... Lydda presided over one of the toparchies under Jerusalem, into which Judea was
divided (BJ, III, iii, 5). After the death of Julius Caesar the inhabitants of ...
/l/lydda.htm - 11k

Levy (19 Occurrences)
... of the population, to work for him by courses on Lebanon. Adoram (12:18) presided
over this forced labour service (Ger. Frohndienst; Fr. corvee). ...
/l/levy.htm - 13k

Lycia (1 Occurrence)
... of the emperor Claudius, it became a Roman province, and in 74 AD it was united
with Pamphylia to form a double province over which a Roman governor presided. ...
/l/lycia.htm - 9k

What is Roman Catholicism? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Saul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What occurred at the Council of Nicea? | GotQuestions.org

Presided: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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