baptism

An examination of the Mormon doctrine of vicarious baptism—the baptism for the dead

The term “works” is a perfectly noble word; yet, in the minds of some, there is a distorted view of this biblical term. Especially has the Protestant world reacted negatively to Catholicism’s "work...

More than a dozen words are used in the Greek N.T. to represent various aspects of “sin” (e.g., bad, evil, transgression, iniquity, trespass, godless, unrighteous, etc.). The most frequently employ...

This word is derived from a Greek term meaning “separated.” (a) “Saint” refers to an ordinary member of Christ’s church who has submitted to gospel obedience (Phil. 1:1; 4:21; 2 Thes. 1:10). (b) A ...

Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome develops the theme of God’s gospel plan of justification for sinful man on the ground Christ’s atoning death. The book demonstrates that redemption could not...

The verb “reconcile” (Grk. katallasso) basically suggests a “change.” In an ethical or religious sense, it denotes a change between parties who have been estranged. It may refer to human associatio...

This expression takes its rise from the language employed by Christ in his conversation with Nicodemus (Jn. 3:1ff). The facts regarding the “new birth” are these. (a) It is an absolutely essential ...

The Greek term onoma takes on a very important place in the New Testament.

Sometimes, by a figure known as metonymy, the name stands for the person himself. To trust in the Lord’s name is to trus...

Mark’s account of the life of Christ begins with the Savior’s baptism. It is primarily directed to the Romans, one of the major cultures of the first century. It is designed to emphasize the action...

Life may be viewed under two categories — physical life and spiritual life. (a) All biological organisms are characterized by physical “life.” A living creature has independent movement, processes...

The word “kingdom” (basileia) is a noun that generally refers to a territory over which a king rules. Three senses are prominent in the theology of the N.T. 
• Jesus uses the term to denote the rei...

Justification may be defined as the divine process by which God acquits the sinner and reckons him as righteous. The noun dikaiosis (“justification”) is used but twice in the N.T. (Rom. 4:25; 5:18)...

The Bible is filled with affirmations of our Creator’s generosity. Every good and perfect gift is from him (Jas. 1:17). Surely our gratitude must be lavishly expressed for his graciousness. 

God h...

The Flood, recorded in Genesis 6-8, was the most widespread disaster ever to affect this planet. Waters from the atmosphere above and from chasms beneath the earth inundated the entire globe (Gen. ...

The book of Ephesians was a letter written by Paul from Rome while he was in prison (AD 60-62). The book develops the theme of “God’s eternal purpose” (3:10-11). It reveals that even before the wor...

This English term is related to the Latin conscientia, literally, “to know together” or “joint knowledge.” It corresponds to the Greek suneidesis (found thirty times in the New Testament), which es...

The term “body” is used in Scripture in both literal and figurative sense.

Literal user of the body
In a literal sense, the term “body” in Scripture refers to the physical “tabernacle” in which t...

“Belief” is the noun form of the verb “believe.” True belief embraces several important elements. 
Despite God’s invisibility and inaudibility, our belief in him is not rooted in superstition. Beli...

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...

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 rendere...