Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the term "sanction" refers to the authoritative approval or disapproval of certain actions, behaviors, or practices, often accompanied by rewards or punishments. Sanctions in the biblical sense are deeply rooted in the covenantal relationship between God and His people, where obedience to God's commands brings blessings, and disobedience results in curses or divine discipline.Divine Sanctions in the Old Testament The concept of divine sanction is prominently featured in the Mosaic Covenant, where God sets forth blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. In Deuteronomy 28, the blessings for obedience include prosperity, health, and victory over enemies: "The LORD will command the blessing upon you in your barns and in all that you undertake. He will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you" (Deuteronomy 28:8). Conversely, the curses for disobedience are severe and encompass a wide range of calamities, including disease, drought, and defeat: "But if you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you" (Deuteronomy 28:15). The sanctions of the Mosaic Law also include specific penalties for various transgressions. For example, the law prescribes capital punishment for certain offenses, such as murder (Exodus 21:12) and idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:6-10). These sanctions serve to uphold the holiness and justice of God within the community of Israel. Sanctions in the New Testament In the New Testament, the concept of sanction is often related to church discipline and the moral and ethical standards expected of believers. Jesus Himself speaks of the authority given to the church to bind and loose, which includes the power to impose sanctions on unrepentant members: "Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 18:18). The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of church discipline in his letters, emphasizing the need for corrective measures to maintain the purity and integrity of the church. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul instructs the Corinthian church to expel a member engaged in egregious sin: "Hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 5:5). This sanction serves both as a warning to the community and as a means of restoring the sinner to fellowship upon repentance. Eternal Sanctions The Bible also speaks of eternal sanctions, where the ultimate reward or punishment is determined by one's relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Eternal life is promised to those who believe in Christ and follow His teachings: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Conversely, eternal separation from God is the sanction for those who reject Christ: "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him" (John 3:36). Conclusion Sanctions in the Bible serve as a means of upholding divine justice and holiness, guiding the behavior of God's people, and ultimately pointing to the eternal consequences of one's relationship with God. Through both temporal and eternal sanctions, the Bible underscores the seriousness of sin and the profound importance of obedience and faith in the life of a believer. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To approval; to ratify; to confirm.2. (n.) Solemn or ceremonious ratification; an official act of a superior by which he ratifies and gives validity to the act of some other person or body; establishment or furtherance of anything by giving authority to it; confirmation; approbation. 3. (n.) Anything done or said to enforce the will, law, or authority of another; as, legal sanctions. Greek 4901. sunepimartureo -- to testify or bear witness together with. ... sunepimartureo Phonetic Spelling: (soon-ep-ee-mar-too-reh'-o) Short Definition: I unite in bearing witness Definition: I unite in bearing witness, sanction. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4901.htm - 6k 3549. nomotheteo -- to make law, to ordain by law Library Apostolic Sanction to this Exclusion of Heretics from the Use of ... Basilides and Isidorus Allege Apostolic Sanction for their Systems ... Short Account of the Life and Writings of Robert Barclay ... The Origin and Growth of Law. On the Second Command in the Decalogue Evolution and Sociology The Allies of the Tempter. In Jud??a and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and ... The Samaritan and Alexandrian Canons. King Herod's Enrollment Thesaurus Sanction (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Sanction (2 Occurrences). ... The man is to be congratulated who does not pronounce judgement on himself in what his actions sanction. ... /s/sanction.htm - 7k Pass (1172 Occurrences) Deutero-canonical Deuterocanonical Allow (86 Occurrences) Sabbath (126 Occurrences) Epicureans (1 Occurrence) Version Sanctifying (22 Occurrences) Marriage (74 Occurrences) Resources What is Roman Catholicism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about gay marriage / same sex marriage? | GotQuestions.org Who was Hilary of Poitiers? | GotQuestions.org Sanction: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Sanction (2 Occurrences)Acts 14:5 Romans 14:22 Subtopics Related Terms |