What's a Benediction?

The practice of pronouncing a benediction started with something that God wanted Aaron to do.

Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them. Numbers 6.23ff.

Aaron and his sons, the priests of Israel, were to declare this benediction before the people of God. In this way they became a means that God used for the good of His people. By Aaron’s benediction God blessed the people.

We see the same sort of thing after Jesus shows up. So, Paul wrote,

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13.14

This is a benediction in the same way that what Aaron said was a benediction. And, again, by Paul’s benediction, God blessed the people.

This explains why I pronounce a benediction at the end of our worship service. And God blesses you by it.