Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the concept of courts of justice and the role of advocates for the accused can be discerned through various passages and narratives. The judicial system in ancient Israel was established to ensure justice and righteousness, reflecting God's own nature as a just judge. The presence of advocates or representatives for the accused, while not explicitly detailed in every instance, can be inferred from the broader principles of justice and advocacy found throughout Scripture.Old Testament Context The Mosaic Law provided a framework for justice, emphasizing fairness and the protection of the innocent. In Deuteronomy 16:18-20, the Israelites were commanded to appoint judges and officials in every town to judge the people fairly: "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent." While the role of an advocate is not explicitly mentioned, the principles of justice imply that the accused would have the opportunity to present their case, potentially with the assistance of others. The account of Naboth's vineyard in 1 Kings 21 illustrates the miscarriage of justice when false witnesses were used against Naboth, highlighting the need for truthful advocacy and fair representation. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the concept of advocacy is more explicitly developed, particularly through the ministry of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate advocate for humanity, interceding on behalf of sinners. In 1 John 2:1, it is written, "My little children, I write these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." The role of the Holy Spirit as an advocate is also emphasized. In John 14:16-17, Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, referred to as the "Helper" or "Advocate": "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." Judicial Advocacy in Practice The Apostle Paul, in his legal defenses recorded in the Book of Acts, often had companions and supporters who could be seen as advocates in a broader sense. For instance, during his trial before Festus, Paul had the support of fellow believers and utilized his Roman citizenship to advocate for a fair trial (Acts 25:10-12). The principle of advocacy is also reflected in the communal life of the early church, where believers were encouraged to support one another, bear each other's burdens, and seek justice collectively (Galatians 6:2). Conclusion While the explicit role of advocates in biblical courts of justice is not always detailed, the principles of justice, fairness, and representation are woven throughout Scripture. The presence of advocates, whether through legal representatives, community support, or divine intercession, underscores the biblical commitment to justice and the protection of the accused. Torrey's Topical Textbook Proverbs 31:8,9Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 1:17 Library "And if any Man Sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,", The Persecutions of the Church. The Peroration Defence against the Arians. The Elizabethan Reaction The Ecclesiastical Trial Conflicts of the Church with Public Wrongs. Church Fabrics and Services. The Theology of St. Hilary of Poitiers. Against Jovinianus. Resources What does it mean that the house of prayer had been turned into a den of thieves? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Zerubbabel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is the meaning of the Parable of the Vineyard? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Appeals From, Made to the Emperor Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Could Alone Award Death Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Never Examined Their own Citizens by Torture Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Never Interfered in Any Dispute About Minor Matters Or Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Place of, Called the Hall of Judgment Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Presided Over by the Governor or Deputy Courts of Justice: Both the Accusers and Accused Required to Appear Before Courts of Justice: Causes In, Were Opened by an Advocate Courts of Justice: Causes In, Were Opened by The Complainant Courts of Justice: Corruption and Bribery often Practised In Courts of Justice: False Witnesses in to Receive the Punishment of the Accused Courts of Justice: Generally Held in the Morning Courts of Justice: Have Authority from God Courts of Justice: Inferior Court in all Cities Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: All Minor Cases Decided By Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: All Transfers of Property Made Before Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: Held at the Gates Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: Judges of, Appointed by the Governor Courts of Justice: Judges of Called Elders Courts of Justice: Judges of Called Magistrates Courts of Justice: Judges of Conferred Together Before Giving Judgment Courts of Justice: Judges of Examined the Parties Courts of Justice: Judges of not to Take Bribes Courts of Justice: Judges of Pronounced the Judgment of the Court Courts of Justice: Judges of Rode often on White Asses Courts of Justice: Judges of Sat on the Judgment-Seat While Hearing Causes Courts of Justice: Judges of To Decide According to the Law Courts of Justice: Judges of To Investigate Every Case Courts of Justice: Judges of To Judge As for God Courts of Justice: Judges of To Judge Righteously Courts of Justice: Judges of To Judge Without Respect of Persons Courts of Justice: Judges of To Promote Peace Courts of Justice: Probably Derived from the Seventy Elders Appointed by Moses Courts of Justice: Provided With: Judges Courts of Justice: Provided With: Officers Courts of Justice: Provided With: Tormentors or Executioners Courts of Justice: Re-Established by Ezra Courts of Justice: Re-Established by Jehoshaphat Courts of Justice: Sanhedrim or Court of the Seventy: Consisted of Chief Priest Courts of Justice: Sanhedrim or Court of the Seventy: Mentioned in the Latter Part of Sacred History Courts of Justice: Sanhedrim or Court of the Seventy: Presided Over by High Priest Courts of Justice: Sanhedrim or Court of the Seventy: Sat in High Priest's Palace Courts of Justice: Sometimes Held in Synagogues Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Consisted Subsequently of Priests and Levites Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Decided on all Appeals and Difficult Cases Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Decisions of, Conclusive Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Held at the Seat of Government Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Held First by Moses Alone in the Wilderness Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Presided Over by the Governor or the High Priest Courts of Justice: The Accused: Examined on Oath Courts of Justice: The Accused: Exhorted to Confess Courts of Justice: The Accused: Might Have Advocates Courts of Justice: The Accused: Permitted to Plead Their own Cause Courts of Justice: The Accused: Sometimes Examined by Torture Courts of Justice: The Accused: Sometimes Treated With Insult Courts of Justice: The Accused: Stood Before the Judge Courts of Justice: The Accused: The Evidence of Two or More Witnesses Required In Courts of Justice: The Accused: Witnesses Sometimes Laid Their Hands on the Criminal's Head Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Allusions To Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Illustrative of the Last Judgment Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Immediately Executed Courts of Justice: The Judgment of not Given Till Accused Was Heard Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Recorded in Writing Courts of Justice: The Judgment of Witnesses First to Execute Courtship: Ancient Customs of Women Proposed Marriage Related Terms |
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