What Is a Benediction?

Many worship services conclude with the pastor announcing the blessing of God upon the congregation as they part from the corporate gathering. In this brief clip, H.B. Charles Jr. shares examples of these benedictions from Scripture.

Transcript:

Many Christian worship services end with a benediction. A benediction is simply a blessing. Pastors have the privilege of announcing, prayerfully, divine blessings on the people of God as they scatter from the place of corporate worship. The benediction is often announced simply by quoting the Scriptures. In my own pastoral practice, it is my custom to announce the benediction from Numbers 6:24–26: "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious towards you; the LORD lift up His countenance unto you and grant you peace." But there are other passages that make wonderful benedictions, like Ephesians 3:20–21: "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us..." Or Jude 24–25: "Now to Him who is able to keep us from stumbling and to present us blameless before His presence with great joy..." Or 2 Corinthians 13:14: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."