Year: 2014

Bible Term: Gospels

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

The Bible contains four Gospels, or biographies of Jesus, focusing on his life, ministry, death, and resurrection.

Each of the Gospels was written by a different author, with a different purpose or audience in mind, and with their own individual focus. As such, we see many similarities, as well as uniqueness, between the four accounts.

Taken together, they provide a rich narrative, with deep insight, into the life and teachings of Jesus, as well as his death and resurrection. The Gospels are: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; each named after it’s author.

There are many parallel passages in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which are sometimes called the synoptic gospels because of their similarities.

Some speculate that Matthew and Luke borrowed passages from Mark or perhaps that all three used a common, but unidentified fourth source. Nevertheless, each provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of Jesus.

John, is the most different of the four Gospels, containing the fewest similarities and the most unique passages.

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: Good Shepherd

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

The Good Shepherd is a descriptive title for Jesus. Just as a good shepherd watches over and cares for his sheep, Jesus, our Good Shepherd watches over and cares for those who follow him, that is, his sheep.

Key verse about Good Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me (John 10:14, NIV).

See John 10:1-16; also Psalm 119:176, Isaiah 53:6, Ezekiel 34:11, 1 Peter 2:25, and Matthew 9:36.

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Godhead

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

The Godhead is essentially another name for the Trinity and encompasses the divine nature of God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Key verse about Godhead: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:20-21, NKJV).

Tags Father, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus

Bible Terms

Bible Term: God

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

God is the supreme spiritual being, the originator and ruler of the universe. God exists in three parts or forms: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (see Trinity).

This three-fold nature of God can be better understood by comparing it to water, which occurs in three forms or states: solid (ice), liquid (also called water), and gas (steam or vapor). Each is still water but exists in a different form. The same holds true for God.

An alternate analogy is to consider an egg: there is the shell, the white, and the yolk. Each part is different, yet each is still part of the egg. So it is with the three forms of God

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

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Gentile

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

In the Bible, a Gentile is anyone who is not a Jew. Gentile refers to all non-Jewish people and nations.

To say “Jew and Gentile” (Acts 14:5 or Romans 3:9) encompasses all people.

[Read verses on the Bible using the word Gentile.]

Key verse about Gentile: He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean (Acts 10:28, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Fellowship

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

In general, fellowship is a close association, companionship, or friendship with others sharing mutual interests.

In a spiritual sense, fellowship can exist in two forms:

One is fellowship with God. God desires and longs for this fellowship.

The other is fellowship with others who share a common faith. God desires his followers to enjoy this type of fellowship, as well.

Key verse about Fellowship: “‘Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you ( Exodus 20:24, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Father

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

Father, or Heavenly Father, is a specific reference to the part of the Godhead who created the universe. The Father is one part of the Godhead, or Trinity, which is comprised of the Father, the Son (Jesus, the Christ), and the Holy Spirit.

The imagery of having a Father in Heaven, loving us, caring for us, watching over us, and protecting us is a comforting thought — for most people.

Unfortunately, some people don’t have a loving, caring, protective biological father, so this imagery is difficult for them to understand or may even produce negative feelings towards God.

Those in this situation, shouldn’t assume their Heavenly Father is like their biological father but instead realize their Heavenly Father is perfect, whereas their biological father — like all people — is flawed and makes mistakes.

It is the habit of many to address prayers to our Heavenly Father, but the reality is that we can pray to all persons of the Trinity, either in whole or in part.

Key verse about Father: “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Fasting

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

Fasting is intentionally going without something in order to better connect with God, such as to focus on prayer or to seek his leading when making a decision.

Typically, fasting is going without food for a period of time. The length of time could be for one meal up to several days. But don’t attempt a prolonged fast without first receiving instruction on how to appropriately do so.

Sometimes people will fast from certain foods or categories of food. Other types of fasts are more general, such as abstaining from a certain activity or pursuit.

The important thing in any fast is to do it for the right reasons. Fasting for the wrong purpose will accomplish little. Isaiah talked about fasting with the proper attitude and motives (Isaiah 58:3-14).

Fasting is one of several spiritual disciplines that are found in the Bible.

Key verse about Fasting: On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads (Nehemiah 9:1, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: False Teaching

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

False teaching, or false doctrine, is instruction that is inconsistent with what the Bible teaches; it’s often attributed to the teaching of false prophets.

Another word for false teaching is heresy.

Key verse about false teaching: “This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you” (Galatians 5:9-10, NLT).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Fallen Asleep

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

In the Bible, the phrase “fallen asleep” is used as a euphemism for dead or dead. It’s much the same as we might say “passed away,” “passed on,” or “passed.”

So when Jesus raises someone who has fallen asleep, he is not merely waking them up from a deep sleep or bringing them out of a coma, he is literally raising them from the dead.

This is aptly shown in the story of Lazarus (John 11:1-43). Here Lazarus is said to have fallen asleep. The disciples take this literally and assume that Lazarus is resting well and will recover from his illness.

At that point Jesus tells them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.” Jesus later calls Lazarus from the grave and restores him to life.

Key verse about Fallen Asleep: After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up” (John 11:11, NIV).

Tags dead