Year: 2014

Bible Term: Historical Books

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 1, 2014

The history books of the Bible primarily contain historical accounts of key events surrounding the Jews in the Old Testament. These books are not limited to a pure chronicle of events, but also contain significant insights into God and our relationship to him.

Historical insight can also be gained from other books of the Bible. The following books are categorized as historical books in the Bible:

*not found in all Bibles; see Apocrypha

In the New Testament, the book of Acts is historical, as are the four Gospels.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: High Priest

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 1, 2014

A priest is someone who acts as God’s representative to his people, Israel. One priest was selected to be the high priest, a position that they would hold for life. The first high priest was Moses’ brother, Aaron.

When Jesus came, he effectively changed the function and role of the priests. It’s through him we that we no longer need a priest to serve as our liaison to God. We can now approach God directly.

Therefore, Jesus became our high priest (Hebrews 6:20); refer to Melchizedek.

Key verse about High Priest: And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest (Hebrews 3:1, NLT).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Heresy

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 1, 2014

Heresy is a belief that is inconsistent with what the Bible says. It is often attributed to the instruction of a false prophet.

An alternate phrase for heresy is false teaching.

Key verse about heresy: “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets (Acts 24:14, KJV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Hell

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 1, 2014

Hell is a place of eternal punishment and anguish; it’s the opposite of heaven.

Although heaven is a popular concept, hell is not.

However, to accept the existence of heaven as an eternal reward for those who follow God, one must also acknowledge an alternative, a place of eternal punishment for those who reject him.

Key verse about Hell: For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; (2 Peter 2:4, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Hebrew

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 1, 2014

Hebrew is the language of the Jewish people. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew.

Because the Jews spoke Hebrew, the Bible sometimes calls them Hebrew or the Hebrews.

Also, Hebrews is a book of the New Testament, so named because it was written for the Hebrew people.

Key verse about Hebrew: Hearing the uproar, the Philistines asked, “What’s all this shouting in the Hebrew camp?” When they learned that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp, (1 Samuel 4:6, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Heaven

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 1, 2014

Biblical uses of the word heaven have three different meanings: the sky, space, and God‘s home.

The use of heaven to refer to God’s home is the most commonly understood usage. One example is in Acts 3:21 where it says Jesus must remain in heaven for a time. Another example is that followers of Jesus will be with him in heaven (Ephesians 2:6).

Heaven is a popular concept, however, to accept the existence of heaven, one must also acknowledge the possibility of hell, which is not as readily embraced.

Heaven, meaning sky is found in Genesis 8:2: “the floodgates of the heavens had been closed, and the rain had stopped falling from the sky.”

An example of heaven, meaning space, can be found in Genesis 15:5, where it says, “look now towards the heavens and count the stars.”

Key verse about Heaven: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Greek

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

Greek is a language. The New Testament was written in Greek.

Greek is a culture.

Greek is an ethnicity of the people from Greece.

The Bible sometimes uses the label “Greek” as a euphemism for everyone who is not Jewish, classifying people as either Jewish or Creek. In this context, the word Gentile is sometimes used instead of Greek.

Key verse about Greek: The Jews said to one another, “Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? (John 7:35, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Great Physician

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

Interestingly, the phrase “Great Physician” is not found in the Bible.

However, Jesus referred to himself as a healer and a physician, caring for people and curing them of their diseases and illnesses. Because of his immense healing ministry he is often called the “Great Physician”and this is a commonly accepted descriptive name for him.

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Grace

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

Grace is getting good things when we don’t deserve them. When we are given a gift, it’s an act of grace.

The good things God gives us are through his grace. God’s grace is unearned, undeserved, and unmerited favor.

The promise of heaven is not something we deserve or can earn, but is given to all who follow Jesus as an act of grace.

Compare and contrast grace to mercy.

Key verse about Grace: She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown” (Proverbs 4:9, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Gospel

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

The word gospel means good news. In the Bible, gospel refers to the good news of Jesus.

The Bible contains four biographies about Jesus (named Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). The biographies of Jesus are often called Gospels or the Gospels of Jesus, as in the good news about Jesus.

Key verse about Gospel: God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you (Romans 1:9, NIV).

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