Which benediction?

[ReformedRift]

For brothers who are ordained ministers, which benediction do you prefer to pronounce? My pastor regularly does Heb 13:20-21, Eph 3:20-21, and Jude 1:24-25. Before him, I was used to only hearing 2 Cor 13:14 pronounced for benedictions. I'm curious as to what others regularly select for the benediction?

 

[TooManySystematics]

I ordinarily use 2 Cor 13:14 for the AM service, and Num 6:24-26 for the PM service. Sometimes, I'll use other texts like the ones you've cited if it's particularly appropriate for the theme of the service (i.e matches the major themes or subject of the sermon/scripture readings).

 

[SolaScriptura]

My benedictions typically include a final exhortation, and word of encouragement and blessing, and then I close with the words of 2 Cor 13:14.
But I’ll throw in Num 6 every now and then for good measure.

 

[Wilhelmus à Broccoli]

My elders typically pick one passage to use in the AM service for a whole month.

Our PM benediction is Rev. 22:20-21, with congregational participation ("He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.").

 

[PaulCLawton]

For brothers who are ordained ministers, which benediction do you prefer to pronounce? My pastor regularly does Heb 13:20-21, Eph 3:20-21, and Jude 1:24-25. Before him, I was used to only hearing 2 Cor 13:14 pronounced for benedictions. I'm curious as to what others regularly select for the benediction?

Anything that begins with "now to him" is not a benediction.

 

[SolaScriptura]

Anything that begins with "now to him" is not a benediction.

I agree. The benediction *should be* a word of blessing, bestowed upon the worshippers, by God's minister in God's name. It plays a very important role in the service, so that as the service is concluding and the worshippers are about to depart, they do so with God's blessing pronounced upon them.

A benediction is not said "to" God, but "to" the people on God's behalf.

 

[Edward]

Our PM benediction is Rev. 22:20-21, with congregational participation

Not a benediction, then. Benediction comes from the pastor.

 

[Wilhelmus à Broccoli]

Not a benediction, then. Benediction comes from the pastor.

The parts of that passage that are a benediction come from the pastor. The parts that are a response to the benediction do not.