The first official church word I learned as a child was “amen”…and I learned it quickly. It was spoken at the end of prayers over dinner and prayers offered up at church. Since we always closed our church services in prayer, “amen” was nearly always the last word I heard before going home. Sometimes, when our pastor was shouting from the rooftops and the folks in the pews were caught up in the moment, most, if not all, in the congregation would cry out “amen” with such passion that I thought for sure our church windows were going to bust right out of the walls and a couple of folks would be getting their ears checked by their family doctor the next morning. On a few occasions, I can even remember the pastor saying something rather profound in his sermon….and then he would look out over the sheep and literally call for an “amen” from us with a look that seemed to threaten our very salvation if you did not reply as instructed. My dad was usually one of the first to shout it out. I even tried to chime in a couple of times…simply wanting to be like my dad. I noticed even as a boy that these vocal responses seemed to make the preacher happy, or so it appeared. I even heard the word used when someone was sharing some good news with another person. Whether they were getting married, having a baby, or buying a house…someone would inevitably say “Amen!”

Without question this word was meant to be spoken and heard…but it is also a word to be understood. According to my trusty Holman Bible Dictionary, the transliteration of the word we know as “amen” in Hebrew signified something as certain, sure and valid, truthful, and faithful. A user-friendly translation might best be, “so be it.” In the Old Testament, you can find the word being used in several different ways. Sometimes it indicated an acceptance of a good message, and to join in doxology in a worship setting to affirm what has been said or prayed. “Amen” may also confirm what already is, or it may indicate a hope for something desired. What is really interesting for us to know is that in Jewish prayers, the “amen” came at the end as an affirmative response to a statement or a wish made by others. This usage is something we can clearly see in the New Testament epistles as well. The Apostle Paul would sometimes end his letters with “amen.”

In the Gospels, Jesus often used “amen” to affirm the truth of His own statements. Some translations go with “verily” or “truly.” Jesus’ “I tell you the truth” would sometimes be translated as “amen.” In Jesus’ case, His “amen” always came at the beginning of a statement-not at the end. By starting with an “amen” or some variant of it, the emphasis and weight of Jesus’ words were heard and felt…all by design. He spoke to be heard…and when he spoke, truth was on the way. It’s not surprising at all that John calls Jesus “the Amen” in Revelation 3:14. Jesus was the true witness of God and reliable in every way.

As you can see, a word study on this little four-letter word can take you down no small number of paths. However, I would like to touch on one use of the word that has a great impact on the church today. I stated earlier that “amen” was usually the last word I heard leaving the church every Sunday. One of the uses provided to us by my Bible dictionary is, “an affirmative response” to what has been said. Coupled with that is that astounding truth that what has been said is certain, sure, valid, truthful and faithful. Stop and consider that for just a moment. Every Sunday or Wednesday when we leave our worship services, we basically are saying “amen” on some level…and in doing so we are affirming that what we’ve heard is true and we believe it.

Obviously, this understanding flies right in the face of the person who runs out the church door to get to the local restaurant before someone else does. For these folks, the final “amen” is like the green flag at a NASCAR race…which means it’s time to go. But in reality, our “amen” says the message we’ve heard is absolutely true, we believe it, and we are now going to do our very best to live in light of what we have just heard and “amened.” The “amen” is not just a term of agreement, it’s also a term of commitment. Because we whole-heartedly agree with what we’ve heard in the worship service, our use of “amen” doesn’t mean it’s all come to an end…rather it is just the opposite–it’s a new beginning. We are now walking out the doors of our church to apply all that we’ve heard to our lives. The service might have ended, but not our work. This is the case for all of us. Amen is like its own little commissioning service. It’s as though every Christian in the service is saying something like, “I’ve heard and agreed…now I will live accordingly.”

Chances are pretty good most of us don’t think of “amen” like this. Certainly, we can relate to and understand some of the definitions I shared from my Holman Bible Dictionary. But how many of us faithfully flesh out the full definition? I can’t say with absolutely honesty that I do. This blog did more than make me put on my thinking cap…it called into question my service to God. The countless sermons I’ve heard, read, and preached over the years are not small in number. I’m thinking thousands…literally. Nearly every one of these ended with an “amen” by me or someone else. How many sermons and lessons have you sat under? How many “amens” have you voiced to the Lord walking out of a church service…only to think you are finished until the following Sunday…failing to realize your little “amen” said a mouthful.

In closing, I know I’m not the most creative person in the world. Many times, my jokes or explanations don’t make it too far once the church building has emptied. I try, but I must confess, I often come up short…much more than I’d like to admit. But as of right now, I’m going to think long and hard about the “amens” that fly out of my mouth. Maybe we all should! Can I get an Amen? Think before you answer! 🙂

Be blessed and thank you for taking the time to read my blog.

Bro Mark