366 results
This phrase appears eight times in the New Testament. It is the ancient term for what modern society calls "Sunday." The significance of this day is readily apparent in the following cases: • It was the day on which Christ was raised from the dead (Mt. 28:1; Mk. 16:2, 9; Lk. 24:1; Jn. 20:1). • Th...
The Greek term presbuteros is rendered "elder." It can refer simply to an older person (cf. Acts 2:17; Heb. 11:2) or take on a technical sense—an officer in the church, equivalent to a bishop or pastor. See BISHOP.
A religious denomination is a body or sect subscribing to a particular set of doctrinal tenets that is set apart from other religious groups by its name and human creed. Denominations find no divine sanction in the New Testament. They represent a departure from the pristine Christianity of the fi...
The title "Christ" was applied to Jesus of Nazareth because he fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah. The prophets previewed Jesus as the Messiah (Psa. 2:1ff; Dan. 9:25-27). He affirmed that he was the promised Christ (Jn. 4:25-26; Mk. 14:61-62). Because of his miracles and ...
The Christian commitment is biblically designated as a "calling." The divine calling (Eph. 4:1) is not a direct communication from God or his Holy Spirit, as some today allege. No one on earth knows anything about Jesus Christ and his way of redemption except what they have learned either directl...
The term "brother" is from the Greek adelphos. It technically signifies "from the same womb." The word is used in different senses in the New Testament. • It is employed literally to identify siblings of the same parents (Acts 12:2). • It can denote those of the same nation (Acts 2:29; 9:17; 22:5...
Literally, this term has to do with the implantation of seed by which a child is conceived. The word is used in Scripture figuratively to illustrate the spiritual agency, namely the word of God, by which one becomes a believer in Christ. When Paul preached the gospel to the people of Corinth (Act...
In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was used ceremonially to set apart special roles, especially those of prophets (1 Kgs. 19:16), priests (Ex. 28:41), and kings (1 Sam. 9:16). The most common Hebrew word for "anoint" is mashah, from which will come the term Messiah. The Greek word for "anoi...
The Greek word is huiothesia, from huios, "son," and tithemi, "to set, put, or place." The word suggests the idea of putting one into the position of a son. It is used five times in the New Testament. • The Christian's reception of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:38) is God's pledge that he has been ...
We have much to learn about prayer from Jesus. His prayers are models both in what to pray for and when to pray.
Explore Paul’s first sermon in Antioch of Pisidia. (See the picture of the archaeological ruins.) His message is still relevant to the debate over predestination and salvation through baptism.
Scholarly sources may be helpful, but good Bible students recognize any human source can be biased or flawed. God’s Word is the ultimate standard of faith and practice.
The attributes of God are wonderful thoughts on which to meditate.
Even at the age of twelve, Jesus demonstrated remarkable insight into his mission.
Although baptism is mentioned dozens of times in the New Testament, the rite has been so grossly misunderstood in a great variety of ways.
Influenced by society, many are looking for New Testament authority for expanding the role of women in the body of Christ.
The Lamb’s blood flows from the book of Genesis all the way through the book of Revelation, and there are valuable lessons all along the way.
Is the gospel still sufficient for church growth? Are modern gimmicks necessary to attract bigger crowds?
Can man know that God exists? Is humanity the result of divine creation, or merely the consequence of impersonal evolutionary forces?
The Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God, and by its words spiritual life is obtained. No person who is really interested in the eternal welfare of his soul can afford to neglect a careful study of the words of sacred Scripture.