Amen

Psalm 89:52 “Blessed be the Lord forevermore! Amen and Amen.”

And all God’s people said …”Amen”. The word :amen” has had an important place in the life of the Judeo/Christian church throughout the ages. But, I’ve read that it is rare to find such importance among the various ecclesiastical persuasions today. Yet, the function of the word “amen” far transcends both denominational and non-denominational uses in the modern era.

It is well documented that the term amen was used in the corporate worship of ancient Israel in two different ways. (1) It served as a response to praise given to God and (2) as a response to prayer. Those same usages of the term are still in fashion among Christians. The  1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “Amen”: (1) as a verb, it signifies to confirm, establish, verify; to trust, or give confidence; (2) as a noun, truth, firmness, trust, confidence; (3) as an adjective, firm, stable.

Philippians 4:20 “Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

One article states that the term itself is rooted in a Semitic word that means “truth”, and the utterance of “amen’ is an acknowledgement that the word that has been heard, whether a word of praise, a word of prayer, or a sermonic exhortation, is valid, that is, sure and binding. Even in antiquity, the word “amen” was used in order to express a pledge to fulfill the terms of the vow. So, this little word is one that is centered on the idea of the truth of God.

Romans 11:36 “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”

The article goes on to explain that the truth of God is such a remarkable element of Christian faith that it cannot be overlooked. The Lord Jesus Christ said in John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” There are those who think that “truth” is negotiable or, even worse, divisive. But, if we are not concerned about truth, then we have no reason to have Holy Bibles in our homes. The Bible is the Word of God, and God’s Word is true. It is not just true but is truth itself. Amen.

In Christ, Brian