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Though this word is not found in most English translations of the New Testament, the thought is there in the Greek text. It is an anglicized form of the original term antitupos. The term is rendered "like-figure" (1 Pet. 3:21) and "figure" (Heb. 9:24). Literally, a tupos was a mark, or impression...
This is a specific time determined by God for the vindication of divine operation. Acts 17:31 is a very comprehensive passage in this regard: (a) A day of judgment has been "appointed." (b) The entire "world" will be judged (cf. Gen. 18:25; Mt. 25:32; Rev. 20:11-12). (c) Judgment will be accordin...
Prayer is a mode of communication between a human being and deity. Prayer is almost a human "instinct," reflecting man's innate need for contact with his Maker (Acts 17:27). It has been said that when one realizes that he is "lost," he cannot help praying. While that may well be true, the Bible p...
References to "worship" are common in both the O.T. and the N.T. The Hebrew term shachah (about 100 times) refers to "bowing" before an object of religious devotion. Similarly, proskuneo (59 times) in the N.T. means to prostrate oneself, do obeisance. Worship can be offered to the true God (Gen. ...
The Greek word krino means to render a verdict (Lk. 7:43; Acts 15:9). Prepositions may be attached as prefixes to provide some direction to the term. For example, diakrino suggests the idea of distinguishing between objects (1 Cor. 6:5; 11:31; 14:19); anakrino means to investigate or thoroughly s...
The term "truth" carries several connotations in the Bible. (a) Truth can convey the idea of loyalty. Those who abide in Jesus' teaching are "truly" his disciples (Jn. 8:31). (b) True may denote that which is genuine, in contrast to the counterfeit. God is "true" deity; idols are not (1 Thes. 1:9...
The term "heaven" is used in different ways in the Bible. The expression may refer to the atmospheric region just above the earth where the birds fly, the rain forms, and the wind blows (Gen. 1:10; 7:11; Dan. 8:8). The outer space region that houses the stars, the sun, and the planets is also des...
The Greek word for "reformation" is diorthosis, which indicates the idea of making something "straight." A kindred form of the term is used in Acts 24:2, where the flattering orator Tertullus described the political activity of Felix. Supposedly, the governor "corrected" evils that had been perpe...
"Confession" means "to say the same thing." In connection with our salvation, confession is the personal acknowledgment of the transgressions in our lives that God has spoken of and condemned through divine revelation. But confession involves more than mere tacit acknowledgment. Judas confessed: ...
Critics are fond of claiming that the Bible cannot be the word of God because, supposedly, it contains multiple contradictions. Such allegations reveal that these critics are oblivious to the nature of a real contradiction. The Law of Contradiction states: "That a thing should both be, and not be...
Paul commended Timothy for making "the good confession" before many witnesses (1 Tim. 6:12). The word "confession" comes from the Greek homologia, which means "to say the same thing." It implies agreeing with and openly affirming what Jesus said about himself—that he is the Christ, the promised M...
The revelation of God has to do with the processes by which the Creator has made himself known to his rational creation. (a) Jehovah has revealed himself to humanity in the abstract features of the Cosmos (that which has order) -- the Universe. The heavens declare his glory (Psa. 19:1), and his i...
The practice of baptism "for the dead" is mentioned once in the New Testament. "If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?" (1 Cor. 15:29). Though the passage is somewhat obscure, several things are evident: First, it gives no sanction to the modern practice (by Mormo...
Logos is the term used in the Gospel of John to describe the preincarnate Christ. "In the beginning was the Word [logos] and the Word [logos] became flesh" (Jn. 1:1, 14). Though the term logos was used profusely in classical Greek in a variety mystical ways, there is no evidence whatever that Joh...
The Greek expression for "lord" is kurios. One must look at the context to observe the sense conveyed in a particular setting. "Lord" may be used as a mere title of respect, or it can suggest one who is deity. (a) Kurios is sometimes used in the sense of one who is owner or master of a thing, i.e...