Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, courts of justice were established to maintain order and righteousness among the people of Israel. The judicial system was deeply rooted in the Mosaic Law, which provided guidelines for fair and just proceedings. The role of the judge was to discern truth, administer justice, and uphold the law as given by God.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the accused would stand before judges who were appointed to hear cases and render decisions. The book of Deuteronomy outlines the judicial process, emphasizing the importance of impartiality and adherence to God's commandments. Deuteronomy 16:18-20 instructs, "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 with righteous judgment. Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous." The accused were to be given a fair hearing, and witnesses played a crucial role in the proceedings. Deuteronomy 19:15 states, "A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." New Testament Context In the New Testament, the concept of standing before a judge is illustrated in several instances, most notably in the trials of Jesus Christ. Jesus was brought before various authorities, including the Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate, and Herod. These trials highlight the tension between earthly justice and divine purpose. In John 18:33-37 , Jesus stands before Pilate, who questions Him about His kingship. Jesus responds, "My kingdom is not of this world... You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice." The Apostle Paul also faced trials, standing before Roman governors and Jewish councils. In Acts 24:10-21 , Paul defends himself before Governor Felix, asserting his faithfulness to the Law and the Prophets while proclaiming the resurrection of the dead. Judicial Principles The biblical courts of justice were founded on principles of truth, fairness, and accountability. Judges were expected to be wise, God-fearing individuals who would not pervert justice. Exodus 23:6-8 warns, "Do not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits. Stay far away from a false accusation. Do not kill the innocent and the just, for I will not acquit the guilty. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous." The accused were to be treated with dignity and given an opportunity to present their case. The judicial process was not only a means of resolving disputes but also a reflection of God's justice and righteousness. The ultimate goal was to maintain peace and harmony within the community, ensuring that justice was served in accordance with divine law. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 35:12And they shall be to you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment. Torrey's Topical Textbook Matthew 27:11 Library "And if any Man Sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,", A vision of Judgement and Cleansing The Civil Trial Thursday Night - Before Annas and Caiaphas - Peter and Jesus. An Account of the General Conference of 1796 Paul a Prisoner Acts xxiv. 22, 23 Justinian. The Morning of Good Friday. Matt. x. 16 Resources What can we learn from the woman caught in adultery? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the importance or value of a church building? | GotQuestions.org Why is Jesus called the stumbling stone in Matthew 21:43-44? | 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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