Year: 2014

Bible Term: Covenant

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

In a general sense, a covenant is a binding agreement or contract between two people.

In the Bible, covenant is sometimes used to describe an agreement between two people, though it’s more common use to describe an agreement, or promise, between God and mankind.

A biblical example of a covenant is that after the great flood, God promises to Noah that he will never again destroy the earth with a flood

Key verse about Covenant: This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised (Genesis 17:10, NIV).

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: Cornerstone

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

In constructing a stone building, a cornerstone is a main support element where two walls intersect. It was critical to select a quality stone because if the cornerstone would crack, break, or crumble, a major section of the structure would be at risk and likely fall.

As such, usage of the word cornerstone has come to reference anything that is indispensable or critical.

Therefore, it’s not surprising that the Bible calls Jesus a cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). This is prophesied in Zechariah 10:4 and Isaiah 28:16, which Peter quotes in 1 Peter 2:6.

Other uses of cornerstone occur in Job 38:6 (referencing the creation of the earth), Isaiah 19:13 (prophecy about Egypt’s leaders), and Jeremiah 51:26 (prophecy about Babylonia).

Key verse about Cornerstone: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; (Psalm 118:22, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Consecrate

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

To consecrate is to set apart, to declare as sacred or holy, or to dedicate to God for service.

In the Old Testament of the Bible, items used for the worship of God or in service to him, were consecrated for that purpose.

The main context for consecrate is for people to set someone or something apart for God or for religious service. This includes consecrating priests, God’s people, clothes, offerings, bread, animals, the temple, and temple furnishings.

Consecrate is a synonym for sanctify.

Key verse about Consecrate: Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them” (Exodus 19:22, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Communion

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

Communion (sometimes called Holy Communion, the Eucharist, or the Lord’s Supper) is a time of fellowship with God and others who follow Jesus.

Communion was instituted by Jesus (hence the alternate name of the Lord’s Supper), as a replacement for or extension of the Old Testament Passover celebration.

Communion celebrates Jesus’ work (that is, his sacrifice) to make us right with God.

Key verse about Communion: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16, NKJV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Command

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

In the Bible, commands are generally used to refer to instructions from God to his people to do or not do a certain activity. The most familiar commands from God are known as the Ten Commandments, but they represent only a small portion of the many commands found throughout the Bible.

Sometimes the Bible records commands God gave to individuals at specific times in their lives. These commands aren’t intended to be followed by everyone, as there were meant only for the person they were given to.

Some people follow the commands in the Bible (or at least some of them) with an unwavering, legalistic fervor; their pursuit of God becomes a list of dos and don’ts. This was largely how the Hebrew people approached God in the Old Testament, even though that wasn’t the response God desired.

Jesus said that he came, not to replace the law (God’s commands) but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). This signaled a change of perspective away from the letter of the law to the intent behind it.

Key vser about Command: And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; (Genesis 2:16, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Circumcise

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

To circumcise is to remove the prepuce or foreskin off of a penis. In the Old Testament times, it was used as a holy ritual to consecrate or set apart those who followed God. It was established as a command for the nation of Israel.

(Some cultures practice female circumcision, though this isn’t commanded in the Bible).

The practice did not continue after the death and resurrection of Jesus, as circumcision was no longer deemed necessary. (Even so, some Jewish converts to Christianity, wrongly tried to impose it on others.)

The sacrament of baptism (which is for both genders and all nationalities) is the New Testament replacement for circumcision.

Key verse about Circumcise: This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised (Genesis 17:10, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Church

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

When people think of church, they generally think of a building, as in “go to church.” Other times it is a reference to a denomination, such as the Baptist church or the Catholic church. Although commonly used and understood, this is not what the Bible means by the church.

In a local or micro sense, the church is understood to mean a group of people who meet together, such as “the church that meets in your home” (Philemon 1:2 or Colossians 4:15).

It a global or macro sense, Church simply refers to all who follow Jesus (Matthew 16:18). As such, there is only one Church. This is sometimes called the universal church.

Key verse about Church: And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. (Matthew 16:18, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Christian

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

Christian means different things to different people. Because of this divergence in understanding, there is much confusion, and even animosity, about what it means to be a Christian. As such, some true Christians even try to avoid this confusing label.

In its original sense and usage, a Christian is one who follows Jesus and seeks to live according to his teachings and ways. Becoming a Christian is an easy step to take, but it also entails a lifetime of pursuit.

The purpose of Jesus’ coming to earth was to die in our place for the wrongs we have done. In essence, he paid our fine and did our time, so that we don’t have to.

If we accept this gift, or act, of Jesus, it makes us right with God the Father, who is perfect, thereby allowing us a new life now and to be with him for all eternity.

It’s easy to accept this gift (it’s free) and start on a journey with Jesus. Jesus simply said, “Come, follow me,” (Mark 1:17).

If you have taken that step, congratulations, your journey has begun, an exciting trip that will last the rest of your life.

Key verse about Christian: and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:26, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Christmas

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

Christmas, initially a religious holiday, is celebrated on December 25 to remember the birth of Jesus.

Although Christmas has become a cultural holiday, its true meaning has nothing to do with Christmas trees, Santa, sleighs, chimneys, snow, and our many traditions.

Gift giving does have ties to Jesus’ birth, as his coming to earth is seen as a gift to all humanity.

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Christ

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

Christ is often used interchangeably as a name for Jesus. Sometimes the two are used together, as in Jesus Christ or Jesus, the Christ.

When stated as Jesus, the Christ, this renders Christ as a title. Literally, Christ means the anointed or Messiah.

Key verse about Christ: The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ) (John 1:41, NIV).

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