Category: Bible Terms

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

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).

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: 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).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Faithful

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

To be faithful is to be dedicated and devoted to a cause, ideal, or person.

The Bible calls us to be faithful to God and faithful followers of Jesus.

To be faithful, means to be full of faith and to be trustful, not merely trustworthy.

Key verse about Faithful: So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul— (Deuteronomy 11:13, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Faith

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

Faith is believing in something or someone when it is illogical or in the face of overwhelming opposition. It has been said if there is not the chance to doubt, then it’s not faith.

A great definition is given in Hebrews 11:1, which says, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Read all of Hebrews 11 for more insight about faith and a list of people who exemplify it.

Although all followers of Jesus accept and follow him by faith, greater amounts of faith are given to some people as a spiritual gift.

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).

The Amplified Bible explains faith as “that trust and confidence that spring from our belief in God.”

Key verse about Faith: “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” Matthew 6:30. NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Exile

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

In the Bible, exile is generally used to refer to the forcible removal and relocation of a person or nation.

In the Old Testament, the nations of Israel and Judah were exiled on more than one occasion. This was part of God‘s planned punishment for their repeated disobedience and turning from him.

In many cases, the exiled people are offered a second chance to repent and return home. (2 Chronicles 6:36-39 for an example of this type of exile.)

On some occasions, exile can be voluntary, as when Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath (Matthew 2:13-15).

Key verse about Exile: So one of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria came to live in Bethel and taught them how to worship the Lord (2 Kings 17:28, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Exhortation

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

Exhortation is a fancy word that includes the ideas of teaching, instruction, encouragement, and urging.

As followers of Jesus, this is something that we are instructed to do to each other, as Paul taught in Romans 15:14 and 1 Thessalonians 5:14.

[Read Bible verses about exhortation.]

Key verse about Exhortation: Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly, Hebrews 13:22, NIV).

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Bible Terms

Bible Term: Exalt

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 31, 2014

To glorify, praise, or honor.

In the Bible, the word exalt is often used interchangeably with bless and praise.

(See blessing.)

Key verse about Exalt: “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him (Exodus 15:2, NIV)

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