Year: 2014

Bible Term: Miracle

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

A miracle is an occurrence that is not explicable in human terms or is impossible according to the laws of nature. A miracle can only be explained as supernatural, at the volition of God.

The Bible records many miracles.

Key verse about Miracle: You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples (Psalm 77:14, 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: Minor Prophets

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

A prophet can mean the same thing as a preacher. It can also refer to someone who has insight into the future or predicts future events, which is called a prophecy.

Many books in the Old Testament were written by or about prophets and contained their messages for repentance or predictions for future events. Many of these prophetic predictions anticipated Jesus, though some had a more current focus, while a few looked at the end times.

Minor Prophets are not unimportant, but merely those who wrote shorter books! (Compare to Major Prophets.) The books of the Minor Prophets are:

(See our Bible resources page for sites with more information on this topic.)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Messiah

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

Messiah is another name for Christ, which literally means messiah. Both Christ and Messiah are titles for Jesus; as such they are often used interchangeably to refer to him.

[Read Bible verses about Jesus, the Messiah.]

Key verse about Messiah: Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16, NVI).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Mercy

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

Mercy is not getting the bad things we deserve.

Not being punished for doing wrong is an act of mercy. Sometimes criminals ask a judge for mercy; occasionally them receive it. When the police officer gives you a warning, instead of a speeding ticket, it’s an act of mercy.

For all those who follow Jesus, his mercy means we won’t be held accountable for all we’ve done wrong.

Compare and contrast mercy to grace.

Key verse about Mercy: And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved” (Genesis 43:14, NVI)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Melchizedek

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

Melchizedek is first mentioned in Genesis after Abraham returns from battle (Genesis 14:17-20). Melchizedek is a priest (before the priesthood was instituted) and Abraham gave him a tenth (tithe) of the goods he recovered.

Melchizedek is either literally Jesus (remember that Jesus, as God, is eternal, existing before the world was created), or Melchizedek a metaphor for Jesus.

Melchizedek is again mentioned in Psalm 110:4, with prominent references in Hebrews 5, 6, and 7), where he is called a high priest.

Key verse about Melchizedek: For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 7:17, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Meek

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

Jesus, said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). What then does it mean to be meek?

One thought is that meekness is strength under control. In this perspective, we see Jesus as a preeminent example of meekness (Matthew 11:29).

We also see meek as showing patience and humility (James 3:13): a calm temper of mind, that is not easily provoked.

Moses, the great leader of ancient Israel, was characterized as being meek. Even more so, Jesus himself claimed to be meek. Plus, Paul taught that meekness is a trait followers of Jesus are encouraged to pursue.

In a biblical context, meekness is not weakness or being easily imposed upon.

Key verse about Meek: But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord (Zephaniah 3:12, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Meditation

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

Meditation is simply the act of reflecting or contemplating something.

For followers of Jesus, meditation can refer to carefully considering a Bible verse or passage, the listening part of prayer, thankfully considering all God has done, or taking time to appreciate the creation he made.

In today’s fast-paced, activity-filled life, the practice of meditation is a lost art for many or an impossible task for others. Yet, God wants us to do just that. Psalms 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Meditation is one of several spiritual disciplines.

Key verse about Meditation: My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding (Psalm 49:3, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Mediator

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

A mediator is one who intervenes between two others in a dispute for the purpose of reconciling their differences.

Specifically, Jesus acts as our mediator with God the Father, by paying for the penalty of our wrong doing (that is, sin), thereby reconciling us to God.

His role of mediator continues with his ongoing intercession for his followers (1 John 2:1 and Hebrews 7:25).

Key verse about Mediator: For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Major Prophets

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

A prophet can mean the same thing as a preacher. It can also refer to someone who has insight into the future or predicts future events, which is called a prophecy.

Major Prophets are not those that are more important, but merely those who wrote longer books. (Compare to Minor Prophets.)

The Major Prophets are: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

Their books are: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

Four of these books are named after their respective prophet. The fifth, Lamentations, was also written by Jeremiah.

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Love

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 3, 2014

Love is a central and reoccurring theme in the Bible and among the followers of Jesus. Succinctly, God is love (1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:16)

Although the modern usage of love expresses it as an emotion (as in, “I love rain”) or an intensifier (as in, “I’d love to!”), we’ll do well to consider love as an attitude, an act of will and determination. Even to claim love for a pet, is stretching things a bit.

We can rightly love a person and we should love God. A person can love us back, but such love is often ultimately conditional; God’s love for us is unconditional.

Supreme love is shown by giving one’s life to save another (Romans 5:7). Jesus embodied this in dying to make us right with God; that is, to save us (Romans 5:8).

Faith, hope, and love are a major triad in the Bible (1 Corinthians 13:13, Colossians 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, and 1 Thessalonians 5:8).

Key verse about Love:
Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you (Genesis 22:2, NIV).

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