The Action Commanded for Blessing in the New Testament
In the New Testament, the concept of blessing is often connected to actions that align with God's will and character. While the Old Testament frequently links blessing to obedience to specific commands and the priestly pronouncements [7, 8], the New Testament emphasizes actions rooted in faith and the new covenant established through Jesus Christ [1].
One significant action commanded for blessing is prayer. Believers are commanded to pray to God, to Christ, and to the Holy Spirit, with the understanding that God hears and answers these prayers [5]. This act of communication is seen as a means of drawing near to God and receiving His favor.
Another key action is glorifying God. This involves acknowledging His holiness, mercy, faithfulness, and wondrous works [4]. Glorifying God is not merely an internal sentiment but is expressed through actions such as praising Him and relying on His promises [4]. Christ himself is presented as an example of one who glorified God [4].
The New Testament also highlights "good works" as a path to blessing. Hebrews 13:21 speaks of God perfecting believers in "every good work, in order to do His will, doing in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ" [3]. These good works are not a means to earn salvation, but rather a demonstration of a transformed life in Christ. John Gill, in his commentary on Revelation 22:14, notes that while keeping God's commandments perfectly is impossible for justification, "doing his commandments" can be understood evangelically as actions performed "in the strength of Christ, from love to God, in the exercise of faith upon him, with a view to his glory, and without dependence on them" [9].
Furthermore, acts of mercy and charity, often referred to as "alms," are associated with blessing. While the term "alms" is not found in the Old Testament, Mosaic law encouraged a spirit of charity [6]. In the New Testament, Jesus critiqued ostentatious almsgiving but affirmed the benevolent spirit behind it [6]. The stretching out of God's hand to do "works of mercy" is linked to signs and wonders being done through the name of Jesus [2].
The "New Covenant" itself, in contrast to the "old covenant of works," is described as a "covenant of grace" that is "ever fresh, flourishing, and excellent" [1]. This new covenant is dispensed in a "more clear, spiritual, extensive, and powerful manner than of old" [1]. Therefore, actions commanded for blessing in the New Testament are understood within the framework of this grace-filled covenant, where God's blessing is a result of His initiative and believers' faithful response.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: New Testament — (Luke 22:20), rather "New Covenant," in contrast to the old covenant of works, which is superseded. "The covenant of grace is called new; it succeeds to the old broken covenant of works. It is ever fresh, flourishing, and excellent; and under the gospel it is dispensed in a more clear, spiritual, extensive, and powerful manner than of old" (Brown of Haddington). Hence is derived the name given to the latter portion of the Bible. (See [438]TESTAMENT.)”
- Acts “Acts 4:30 (BBE) — While your hand is stretched out to do works of mercy; so that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 13:21 (LITV) — perfect you in every good work, in order to do His will, doing in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glorifying God — Commanded -- 1Ch 16:28; Ps 22:23; Isa 42:12. Due to him -- 1Ch 16:29. For his Holiness. -- Ps 99:9; Re 15:4. Mercy and truth. -- Ps 115:1; Ro 15:9. Faithfulness and truth. -- Isa 25:1. Wondrous works. -- Mt 15:31; Ac 4:21. Judgments. -- Isa 25:3; Eze 28:22; Re 14:7. Deliverance. -- Ps 50:15. Grace to others. -- Ac 11:18; 2Co 9:13; Ga 1:24. Obligation of saints to -- 1Co 6:20. Is acceptable through Christ -- Php 1:11; 1Pe 4:11. Christ, an example of -- Joh 17:4. Accomplished by Relying on his promises. -- Ro 4:20. Praising him. -- Ps 50:23. Doing all ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Alms — Not found in the Old Testament, but repeatedly in the New. The Mosaic legislation (Lev. 25:35; Deut. 15:7) tended to promote a spirit of charity, and to prevent the occurrence of destitution among the people. Such passages as these, Ps. 41:1; 112:9; Prov. 14:31; Isa. 10:2; Amos 2:7; Jer. 5:28; Ezek. 22:29, would also naturally foster the same benevolent spirit. In the time of our Lord begging was common (Mark 10:46; Acts 3:2). The Pharisees were very ostentatious in their almsgivings (Matt. 6:2). The spirit by which the Christian ought to be actuated in this d”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Numbers 6:23: SPEAK UNTO AARON AND UNTO HIS SONS, SAYING: THUS YE SHALL BLESS. I have already mentioned in Seder Vayehi Bayom Ha’shemini 111 Leviticus 9:1. The verse referred to is ibid. , 22. that He commanded Aaron to lift up his hands towards the people and bless them on that day [i.e., the eighth day of the initiation of the priests, which was the day of the final erection of the Tabernacle], and here He commanded Aaron and his sons to do so throughout the generations, and He explained what the blessing was with which they are to bless them. He mentioned this blessi”
- Numbers (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Numbers 6:22: Here, I. The priests, among other good offices which they were to do, are appointed solemnly to bless the people in the name of the Lord, Num 6:23. It was part of their work, Deu 21:5. Hereby God put an honour upon the priests, for the less is blessed of the better; and hereby he gave great comfort and satisfaction to the people, who looked upon the priest as God's mouth to them. Though the priests of himself could do no more than beg a blessing, yet being an intercessor by office, and doing that in his name who commands the blessing, the prayer carried with it a”
- Revelation (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Revelation 22:14: Blessed are they that do his commandments,.... Either the commandments of God, Rev 12:17 the precepts of the moral law, which are the whole duty of man; which are done either legally in order to obtain life, and then they must be perfectly done, which no man can do; hence none live, and are justified by the deeds of it, and consequently are not blessed, but cursed; or evangelically, when they are done in the strength of Christ, from love to God, in the exercise of faith upon him, with a view to his glory, and without dependence on them, acknowledging the imperfec”