Benediction: Living under God’s Good Word

When a minister lifts his hands and speaks a blessing from Scripture to God’s people, what is happening? The word benediction means “well-saying.” It is not found in Scripture but the concept is clearly present. A benediction is a blessing pronounced by one person upon another that originates with God himself. They form—and reform—our identity as children of God. In this editorial, Emlet discusses the importance of benedictions and their significance for Christians.