Category: Bible Terms

Definitions to key words found in the Bible and words that relate to faith and Bible reading.

Bible Term: Hypocrite

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 1, 2014

A hypocrite is a person who says one thing but does another, as well as, a person who expects others to do things that he or she is unwilling to do.

Jesus often called the Jewish leaders (including the Pharisees and Sadducees) hypocrites, because of their inconsistent conduct and the heavy demands they placed on the Jewish people.

Hypocrites were a common target in Jesus’ teaching and one of the few groups he criticized.

Key verse about Hypocrite: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full (Matthew 6:5, 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: Hope

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 1, 2014

In the Bible, hope is a confident expectation that something will happen; it’s not merely a desire or wishful thinking. Followers of Jesus are often said to have a hope in him (Colossians 1:5).

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 Hope: “Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for, (Job 6:8, NIV)

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Holy Spirit

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 1, 2014

The Holy Spirit (sometimes called the Holy Ghost) is the third part of the Godhead (or Trinity), which is comprised of the Father, the Son (Jesus, the Christ), and the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus came to earth, the Father gave him the Holy Spirit (John 3:34).

Later, the Holy Spirit was sent to guide and direct Jesus’ followers after he ascended into heaven (Luke 24:49 and Acts 2:1-4).

Now, the Holy Spirit works to draw people to Jesus and guide those who follow him.

Key verse about Holy Spirit: The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Holy of Holies

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 1, 2014

The Holy of Holies is the innermost part of the tabernacle and later in the temple. It was so sacred that only the high priest could enter it and then only once a year.

The Holy of Holies had a veil (which was very thick, more akin to a wall) separating it from the people. When Jesus died, this veil was torn in two — from top to bottom. This is significant for two reasons.

First, being torn from the top down, signifies it was God’s doing. Since it was thirty feet high, a person would only be able to tear it from the bottom up. In effect, God was saying, I’m changing the old way of doing things.

More importantly, this opened up the Holy of Holies, showing that everyone could now approach God, at any time — not just the high priest once a year.

Some translations refer to the Holy of Holies as “the Most Holy Place” or “the Holiest of all.”

Key verse about the Holy of Holies: “
Behind the second veil there was another tabernacle [the inner one or second section] known as the Holy of Holies” (Hebrews 9:3, AMP).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Holy Ghost

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 1, 2014

The Holy Ghost (usually called the Holy Spirit) is the third part of the Godhead (or Trinity).

The King James translation of the Bible (circa 1611) uses the phrase Holy Ghost, whereas most other translations use Holy Spirit.

Key verse about Holy Ghost: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26, KJV).

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Bible Terms

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.

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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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