___________________________________________
Some of these are grouped in categories. But most of the terms and explanations are listed in
alphabetical order.
Adoption - The word translated adoption comes from the joining of two Greek words that mean to place as a son. This word signifies the highest blessing of the gospel since the acceptance implied by justification and the friendship defined by reconciliation are surpassed by the relationship.
Annihilationist - Annihilationist do not believe in an eternal state of conscious suffering. They believe that man’s soul does not survive death. The resurrection of the wicked will be followed by an interval of conscious punishment for sin which will be followed by an eternal state of nonexistence. Some of the major cults like Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh Day Adventists believe in the theory of annihilation. The support for this doctrine comes from the Biblical picture of death as a sleep and from the conviction that the infliction of eternal suffering is unjust. However, it is just as likely that this sense of injustice arises from inadequate views of the nature of sin. Sin must be seen as a rebellion against an infinitely good and just God if we are to have any adequate view of the punishment it deserves. Also the equating of death with unconsciousness is difficult to support in the light of passages like 2 Corinthians 5:8 where Paul wrote that to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord. Established by adoption into God’s family.
Apostle- Sent out one, specifically chosen by Christ. There were 2 main categories and as many as 5. Those who were with Jesus from the time of John the Baptizer and witnessed his resurrection. (Acts 1:21-26) Another were seeing the risen Christ as in the case of Paul and others who were sent out as church missionaries.
Arminianism -Is five articles of faith based on the teaching of James Arminius, a Dutch seminary professor. His followers (Arminians) presented these five doctrines in a form of a remonstrance. They insisted that the Belgic Confession of Faith and the Heidelberg catechism be changed to conform to the doctrines within the Remonstrance. The five points of Arminianism are as follows:
1. God elects or reproves on the basis of foreseen faith or unbelief.
2. Christ died for all men and for every man although only believers are saved.
3. Man is not so depraved that divine grace is necessary unto faith or any good deed.
4. Grace may be resisted.
5. Those who believe and are truly saved can lose their salvation by failing to keep up
Their faith. (Some Arminians believe in eternal security)
The synod of Dort in 1618 rejected the five points of Arminianism as heretical teaching.
Anthropomorphisms- Throughout the Old Testament there are what is called anthropomorphism to describe God in some function or characteristic. This is figurative language that describes a certain characteristic of God or describes His divine activity from a human perspective and language. The word Anthropomorphism is derived from two words Anthropos = man, morphe = form. This designates the view of God having human features and form. He is described as having feet, hands, mouth, and a heart. Scripture mentions His ears, feet, back, fingers, arms, and hands. None of these should be taken in the solid literal sense that would have us think God who is Spirit, has form as a human creature. These are meant to communicate something of His being or of service, some facet of the invisible God in human terminology. For example, there are the Scriptures such as the eyes of the Lord go to and fro upon the earth. God called a shield, a buckler, a high tower, a fortress. If we took the former descriptions literally, then we would have to think of Him as an inanimate object. He is called a vine, a door, a mother hen, a way, and the Lion of the tribe of Judah. These are terms used to communicate something of his nature or purpose to us strictly on a human level.
Atonement - This particular doctrine denotes the very heart of the gospel. It is God’s provision and payment for the sins of His people through the sacrificial substitutionary death of Christ. The moving cause of the atonement is found in the good pleasure of God to save sinners. (Isa.53: 10, Luke 2:14, Col.1: 19) In the atoning work of Christ we see the Justice of God clearly revealed while the sinner is justified. The necessity of the atonement is manifested by God sending His only unique son to be bruised and shed His precious blood for the sins of the elect. (Rom.3: 25,26) The advocates of a universal atonement assert that Christ merely made salvation possible for all men, and that their actual redemption is dependent on their own free choice. Those of the Reformed persuasion maintain that Christ actually saves those whom He laid down His life for. Not one of them for whom Christ paid the price for will lose their salvation. All are eternally secure. (John 10:27-29)
Bible- Biblios (scroll or book) Scripture-The Old Testament consists of the law (revealed by God through his servant Moses, the prophets and the writings. Which are written in Hebrew with few parts in Aramaic.
The law (revealed by God through Moses from Mt. Sinai that consisted of 613 commands as the whole body of precepts and ordinances. The 10 are the first installment. The O T consists of 49 books written over 1,600 years.
The N T. consists of the gospel accounts, epistles and letters written in
koine (common) Greek, these were written from approximately A.D 40 to 95 by eyewitnesses or one who interviewed an eyewitness (Luke). 27 books in all by 9 different authors. Christ had risen approximately 30-32 Ad, they waited for 10 years because they anticipated his return. Once the Church was being persecuted it became necessary to write the accounts down. Letters were then written to where the church met and were read aloud. They were then copied and shared by circulation. This copying protected them from being lost. They were copied in hearing rooms and were checked. If a parchment wore out it was destroyed.
Literary content
Gospels are biographical accounts each having a specific theme- written to both unbelievers and believers.
Matthew-Jesus the Messiah the king of the Jews
Mark- Jesus the Messiah the Servant of Yahweh
Luke- Jesus the Messiah the Son of Man
John- Jesus the Messiah the Son of God
Book of the Acts of the Apostles is Church history (following specifically Peter to the Jews, and Paul to the gentiles). It is the deeds of the apostles as they conduct Church government and spread the message of the gospel. Written to believers, to those who have already heard so they can have a fuller understanding of the truth.
Epistle letters- Consists of doctrinal teachings and practices and refuting error.
All other letters are personal- 1 and 2 Timothy, Philemon, 2
nd & 3
rd John.
Both the OT and NT are 66 books written spanning over 60 generations from 6 different parts of the world. Written by people from all walks of life. Kings, priests, prophets, soldiers, shepherds, fisherman, doctor, tax collector, a tent maker and farmer, all which are in agreement on who God is and the nature of man.
The scripture is diverse literary forms. Historical, narratives, biographical, in poetry, drama, songs, and letters.
Revelation–Is apocalyptic written in symbolism describing literal events. Much of what is spoken of in the O T for Israel and the tribulation are found as its theme from revelation 6-19 It reveals Christ and the end of the age.
Q-Quelle-which means source. A hypothetical document that is believed to be the common source for the gospels.
Three terms used to describe the gathering together of the canon (Scripture)
Homologumena-all books accepted by the entire church (the Pauline epistles next were the 4 gospels in one work, then Acts 1 Pt., 1 Jn., Revelation all these were accepted in both the East and the West).
Antilogumena-books accepted by some of the church (James and Jude, 2
nd and 3
rd John, 2
nd Peter, Hebrews which were disputed books because they were not familiar with them these 6 books were accepted later).
Notha-writings claiming inspiration but were false. There were false books circulating by authors who claimed to be an apostle or penned an apostle’s name. They were considered false because it contradicted the writings previously delivered Ex: The 1
st miracle of Jesus was that he did miracles as a boy.
John Wycliffe in 1400 AD., made the bible in the language of the people in England. The Guttenberg press ran the Bible as the first book ever printed. In 1550 Robert Stephens divided the scriptures into chapter and verses. The Geneva bible was the first Bible in 1580 with a completed work of chapter and verses.
Voltaire the French philosopher boldly declared, 50 years from now the world will hear no more about the bible. Exactly 50 years later the Geneva bible society used his house and the same printing press to print bibles. Over 7 billion copies have been printed in 1808 languages and dialects.
Calvinism - The synod of Dort reaffirmed a system of Theology in response to the five points
submitted by the Arminians and has been since known as the five points of Calvinism. The five points are as follows:
- Total Depravity - The sinner is spiritually dead, blind, and deaf to the things of God; his heart is deceitful and desperately corrupt. His will is not free but is in bondage to his sinful nature.
- Unconditional Election - God chose individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world. The complete choice was base upon God’s own sovereign will. The choice was not based upon foreseen faith or repentance but was a gift to those whom He selected. This glorious election was determined not by any condition or virtue in man but entirely upon the good pleasure of God’s grace.
- Limited Atonement - Christ’s redeeming work was intended for the elect alone. The substitutionary work of Christ upon the cross endured the penalty for our sin
- Irresistible Grace - The Holy Spirit extends the call to the elect, a special work of grace that brings salvation. The Spirit irresistibly draws sinner to Christ to be saved. The Spirit is not dependent upon man’s response or cooperation at all.
- Perseverance of the Saints - All those who are redeemed by Christ, have been given faith by the power of God and thus persevere to the end.
The name
Calvinism derives from the French Reformer John Calvin (1509-1564) who had taught so much in defending these views. J. I. Packer states the difference between
Calvinism and
Arminianism is not "primarily one of emphasis, but of content. One proclaims a God who saves, and the other speaks of God who enables
man to save
himself.
Calvinism presents the three great acts of the Holy Trinity for the recovering of lost mankind. Election by the Father, redemption by the Son, calling by the Spirit as directed towards the same persons, and as securing their salvation infallibly".
It’s very important not to equate Calvinism with merely five points because it tends to obscure the organic character of Calvinistic thought on this subject. Although the five points are really inseparable, they stand together. If you reject one you are really rejecting them all. The major point of Calvinistic soteriology is concerned with the fact that sinners do not save themselves in any sense at all. To God be the glory; Amen.
Canonicity- Deals with "the rule" or "canon" which means a rod by which things were kept physically straight, used metaphorically in II Cor10: 12-18; Gal.6: 14-16. The canonicity of the Bible is the quality or character of the Scripture by which they are our rule of faith and life, as the infallible Word of God. It is equivalent to authority, the divine authority of the Scriptures. Canonicity is not synonymous with inspiration, but the two areas are precisely co-terminus. The books of Scripture which are inspired are also canonical and those books which are canonical are the inspired books.
Church- Who owns the Church 2 Thess 2:7. It is called the church of Christ Mt.16:16 , church of God 1 Cor. 1:2, body Eph. 1:23 Assembly of Christ. There is the church universal body but rather to a plurality of local churches--Rom. 16:16 Scripturally we find the church is not Israel but a separate entity under an entirely new covenant. Israel is called the wife of Jehovah while the church is called the bride of Christ showing distinctions in how God relates to each. No matter where anyone is in the world, those who confess Jesus as Lord, God the Son and Savior, become part of the Church, which is an invisible living organism of which Christ is the head. The true church is built on the confession of who Jesus is, Mt.16:16-18.
Covenants-A covenant is an agreement between 2 parties, one is God the other man. There are two different types of agreements in scripture. Conditional and unconditional.
Conditional-based on man keeping the agreement by cooperation. If you will I will.
Unconditional-Is based on Gods promise by him fulfilling his part. I will even if you disobey.
Covenants in sequential order (
most recognize there are only two basic covenants, the mosaic and the New covenant)
Edenic covenant-conditional Gen.2:15-17 resulted in spiritual death.
Adamic covenant-conditional Gen.3:14-21 resulted in physical death.
Noahic covenant-unconditional Gen.9:1-19 still in effect resulted in worldwide flood.and a rainbow as the seal or token.
Abrahamic covenant-unconditional Gen.12:1-3 to Abraham for Israel seal of the covenant Gen.15:1-21 circumcision as seal Gen.17:1-29.
Mosaic covenant-conditional Ex.19:3-8 Between God and Israel only. Sign and seal of Cov. Ex.24:1-11 Sabbath as the seal.
Land covenant-unconditional Deut.29:10-15 30:11-20 God gave to Israel the title deed to the land, still in effect.
Davidic covenant-unconditional 2 Sam.7:4-17 seed of David. 1 Chron. 17:10-1, 4 still in effect.
New covenant-Jer. 31:31 -
Karnei Diatheke the last will and testament, based on the blood of Christ. The revelation of the holiness of God in the righteous son who empowers those who receive him to become sons of God Jn.1:12 Heb.8:7 Gal.3:19 'until the seed should come' which is Christ.
The Cross-First known practice of crucifixion was by the Persians. Alexander and his generals brought it back to the Mediterranean world - to Egypt and Carthage. The Romans apparently learned the practice from Cartheginians. There were 4 different crosses used by the Romans. There was the upright pole a stake as well as an x shaped, which were rarely used outside Italy. The two common forms used in Our Lord's day was the Tau cross (shaped like the Greek letter Tau or like our T with the titulus, the crime written on the plate below his feet or above). The upright portion of the cross (or stipes) could have the cross-arm (or patibulum) attached two or three feet below its top known today as the classical form of the cross with the titulus, or small sign, with the victim's crime written above it.
Decree- Gods eternal purpose according to the council of his will, whereby for his own glory he foreordained what is to come to pass. Some things God proposes to do others he decrees. Permitting them to be done he affects good and permits evil. So he is in control of both yet he is not the author of evil.
Disciple- a learner or follower of Christ (not always a believer) Jn. 6, Jesus wanted saved disciples, to pick up their cross and follow in his footsteps.
Doctrine- The teachings of scripture 1 Tim. 4:13-16 2, Tim.3:16 (fundamentals, practices of).
Efficacious- God’s sovereign work to effectively call people to salvation through the preaching of the Gospel and the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
Glorification- to become like Jesus at either the rapture of the Church, or at preceding resurrections. (to become immortal and incorruptible in a permanent state) Rom. 8:17; Phil. 3:20-21; 1 Cor.15:42-44,49-54.
God- One true God, eternal transcendent apart from anything made. Has plurality within his nature as 3 identities simultaneously existing (persons) who are united in the one essence that is God. Matthew 28:19-20.
The Gospel- Means good news referring to the message of reconciliation to God for those who are sinners. Rom.10 1 Cor.15:1-4.
Grace- The undeserved favor bestowed upon sinners, a gift from God giving us Christ’s riches which we do not deserve nor can earn. Eph.2:8-10.
God’s
Righteousness
At
Christ’s
Expense.
Hypostatic union- The dual nature of Christ being both 100%God and 100% man dwelling together as one person. Jn. 1:14,18 Phil. 2:6-8, Isa. 9:6 Heb. 4, Col. 2:9.
Illumination -Deals with the enlightening or understanding of truth already revealed. Illumination generally accompanies inspiration or is included in it, but not always, as it is seen from I Peter 1:11. Psalm 119:18 "Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." The apostle Paul attributes this illumination to the third person of the trinity. I Cor2: 12 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God," (I Cor. 2:14; John 14:17, 26; 16:12-14).
Impute- To place on ones account, Adam’s sin to us and Christ's righteousness in exchange for our sin. Romans 5:12; 2 Cor. 5:2.
Incarnation - This word means "in flesh" and refers to the full humanity of the second person of the trinity. The doctrine is taught in passages like John 1:1 and 14 where the Word who was God became flesh. The incarnation was predicted in the Greek translation of Psalm 40:6 which is quoted in Hebrews 10:5. "Sacrifice and offering Thou hast not desired, but a body Thou hast prepared for Me." In this text the writer of Hebrews shows that this means that Christ’s incarnation was for the purpose of making Himself an atoning sacrifice for sin. (Hebrews 10:5-10) This clarified his earlier declaration that the incarnation had made it possible for Jesus to disarm the devil and deliver His people. He was made like His brethren so that He might be a faithful and merciful high priest in making a propitiation for their sins. (Hebrews 2:14-17) The incarnation is also clearly taught by Paul in passages like Galatians 4:4; 1 Timothy 3:16 and Philippians 2:5-8. The incarnation is an essential doctrine of the Christian faith. It is so essential that the apostle John identified a confession of the incarnation as the undeniable evidence of the work of the Spirit of God in 1 John 4:2. In 2 John 7 those who do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh are called deceivers and antichrist.
Scriptural Interpretations
Exegesis- to draw out extracting what is in the text the way it was written. Finding the true meaning and explain the passages of scripture from their context.
Figurative language- the moon turns to blood (meaning red). look for the literal meaning first before attempting to interpret it as symbolic.
Hermeneutics-The science of interpreting the written word, to find what the text actually meant. What God originally meant it to say. Eliminating what it never could have meant. This includes the whole field of interpretation. The use of tools such as a different bibles (word for word translations and paraphrase), bible dictionaries, interlinear, Greek word pictures and tenses, Concordance, etc.
Hyperbole- Ps.119:20, My soul is crushed with longing. Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." An exaggeration or overstatement not to be taken literally but used to express another meaning.
Idiom- an expression of language or dialect of a people that is not understood outside its culture. A special terminology.
Isogesis-Reading into a text what isn’t there. Interpreting it by different rules than a consistent understanding from the Bible. Using a presupposition to arrive at the meaning, by ignoring the language and culture it was used in.
Metaphor- Jn.6:48 I am the bread of life or eat my body and drink my blood- a figure of speech in which one object is liked to another by speaking of it as if it were the other but in fact is not.
Parable- A figure of speech in a story setting to illustrate a moral or spiritual or heavenly truth, taken from the people’s everyday experiences. Mt.13. The disciples asked why do you speak in parables. It has been to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. The principle is (Isa. 6:9-10) to reveal to those who are soft in heart seeking truth, they will continue to be given more. For those who are hard of heart, it is hidden until they repent. In Mk. 4:13 Jesus explains In understanding this first parable of the sower is the key to understanding them all.
Simile-Rev. 1:14 "His eyes were like flames of fire." A figure of speech expressing comparison or likeness, terms such as
like, as,so. ____________________
Inerrant- the teaching of the Scriptures which are free without error, in doctrine, historicity, geographical and science, etc. God breathed C. Hodge- the language expressed the thought God intended to convey with infallible accuracy so that the words as well as the thoughts are Gods revelation to us.
Inspiration-The activity of the Holy Spirit which superintended the writers of scripture to convey what God has said. Using their personalities and styles.
Theopneustos-God breathed. 2 Tim.3:16
God's authoritative self-revelation through man.
Israel-Was found in Gen.12:2-3.beginning with Abraham "And I will make of thee [Abraham] a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. From Jacob came the 12 tribes Hebrew tribes, descended from 12 sons of the patriarch Jacob: Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Issachar, Joseph, Judah, Levi, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulun.
The word Israel is always descriptive of the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was Jacob whose name was changed to Israel and had 12 sons that became that nation. In the N.T. we have three terms used, Israel, Gentiles and the church. The church consists of both believing Gentiles and Jews while it is clear Israel is in unbelief as are the Gentiles. The church and Israel are two distinct groups and God has a different program for each. While there is no difference in salvation for both, Gods plans are different for each. In the book of acts Israel and the church exist alongside each other. The church is never called spiritual Israel or is a new Israel replacing the old. Nor does it say gentile believers become Jews. They are grafted into the covenant with them because of Israel’s unbelief Rom.11.
Jewish-Jew comes from Judah meaning to praise. One who is descended from the fathers line Hebrew means crossed over from the other side from the root
eber.
A Hellenistic Jew followed the Greek culture. More modern meanings attribute it to members of the Hebrew tribe of Judah, the ancient territory of which was organized as the Roman province of Judea in AD 6. The land is called Israel because of the people God gave it to.
Justice-Getting what you deserve from Gods hands, a righteous perfect judgment, rewards and punishments. 2Cor.5:10; Rev.20:11-12.
Justification-The verb form "to justify" means to declare as or accept as righteous. Negatively this means that the one to be justified is considered to be without any sin. This is a greater blessing
than forgiveness since the latter blessing is a remission of sins that had been recognized while justification contemplates a man as never having been a sinner. Positively justification means that a man is accepted as being in possession of a perfect righteousness that has fulfilled the whole law. The fullest description of this doctrine is found in the letter of Paul to the Romans. It is clear that this declaration is not based upon works since those who are justified are said to "have sinned and fall short" of an acceptable righteousness and are "ungodly". (Romans 3:23; 4:4) The justification of sinners is expressly called a gift in Romans 3:24 & 5:15-18. The sinner’s standing before God is not based upon works of righteousness which he has done but upon the work of Christ done for him and on his behalf. (Romans 3:24-26) The active and passive obedience of Christ are imputed to him as the ground of his justification before God (2 Corinthians 5:21) and this righteousness is received by faith alone. (Romans 4:5) Justification is a distinct blessing from the sanctification which necessarily flows from it. Justification is the result of the work of Christ for the believer and changes his legal standing before God. Sanctification is a work of the Holy Spirit in the believer and changes the condition of his heart. The righteousness which justifies the sinner remains outside him in Christ and is only experienced by faith. The righteousness which sanctifies him is worked in him and is experienced by him. Justification is complete the instant it is received in faith. Sanctification is never complete in this life. The blessing of justification also gives those who believe an infallible title to eternal life so that all who are justified are also glorified and no one can condemn those whom God has justified. (Romans 8:30-34).
Kenosis-This is the Greek verb "to make void" or of no account" It particularly has reference to the humanity of Christ as presented by Paul in Phil.2: 6-8 "although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but
emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in likeness of men." The liberal view is that Christ emptied Himself of His divine attributes when He became man. This view does not have a Scriptural basis. The Reformed position on this is that Christ certainly did not empty Himself of any of His divine attributes. There is a real sense in which Christ emptied by
adding a body. In other words Christ did not assert His divine prerogative because He took the bodily form of a servant. One example of this is that the humanity of Christ could not be in Jerusalem and Samaria at the same time. Christ laid aside His glory except on rare occasions. He became poor so that we might become rich. He also became subject to the demands and to the curse of the Law, and in His entire life became obedient in action and suffering to a shameful death.
Law of Moses- Considered a unit of 613 laws. civil, ceremonial, moral all interconnected. Its purpose was to reveal God's holiness
; The law was made to increase sin Rom. 7:9-11
. 1 Cor.15: the strength of sin is the law." To expose the sinfulness of man and to make man sin more
Rom. 5:20. It brought wrath Rom. 4:15, To reveal the Messiah and bring one to faith in him to be saved. (Gal.3:23 -25, Rom.8:1-4). The law was temporary = Gal 3:19.
Man- A direct creation of God. Made in his image to express God nature and bring glory to his creator. Specifically to have a relationship with God as a child to its parent. Created in holiness knowing only what is good until the fall, then gained knowledge of what is contrary to God.
Masoretic text- Before 1947 the oldest Hebrew manuscript was the Masoretic dating to 900 AD. The Dead Sea Scrolls were found at least one piece preserved from every OT book except Esther dating back to 100 B.C. In Isaiah only one word was changed.
Mercy-Is withheld punishment for judgment, Gods mercy provides the need for sinful man in Jesus sacrifice.
Millennialism
Millennium- A literal 1,000 years of Christ reigning on earth. (Gr.
Chiliasm=1,000 years, mentioned 6 times) The church was pre millennial the first three centuries of the church. His return was considered imminent.
A millennialism- Teaches there is no literal millennium before or after Christ returns to earth. Uses a allegorical or symbolic approach to prophecy. (Major proponents are Covenant theologians).
Post millennialism-Christ returns after the millennium, there is no distinction between the rapture and 2
nd coming, it is one event. _______________________
Predestination-In a general sense deals with God’s purpose respecting His moral creatures. The Hebrew word
yada refers to a choice based upon knowledge. Israel for example had been predestined to be God’s people among all the peoples of the earth. (Amos 3:2) The Greek usage
Prognosis means "to decide upon beforehand, predetermine." The death of Christ was predetermined; (Acts2: 23, 4:28) the salvation of the elect was predetermined before the foundation of the world, the Christian’s inheritance as well has been predestined long ago in the decree of God. All men and angels are the objects of God’s predestination. God’s election of some men for the purpose of salvation in and by Christ was based on His gracious purpose alone. The election of angels is based upon God’s most holy and wise decree. Elect angels did not fall but nonetheless are considered elect angels with holy works. (Mk.8: 38; Luke9: 26;I Tim.5: 21) The non elect angels on the other hand have fallen in rebellion towards God. (II Pet.2: 4; Jude 6) There are two parts of predestination, namely election, and reprobation.
Providence-Is that work of God by which He preserves all His creation, God in providence directs and controls everything in the universe to their appointed ends.
There is no such thing as "blind fate" or "luck," because as Proverbs teaches the whole disposing of events is the ordering of the Lord. (Prov.16: 33) Every event is for the glory of God. He is like a great pilot steering the ship of creation, involved with every move, sustaining the work of His creation. God’s providence is to be observed. The Puritan Thomas Watson said, "It should not be the Christians’ Bible, but the Christians’ diary."
God’s providence is irresistible; no one can hinder it. When the time was come for God to release Joseph, the prison could hold him no longer (Psa.105: 20). If God’s providence were for one moment to be withdrawn there would be utter confusion, the universe would dissolve and all of God’s creatures would be confounded. As Watson puts it, "our clothes would not warm us, our food would not nourish us, without the special providence of God." For the elect, God works out every thing for their good. (Rom. 8:28) Let all His people give God thanksgiving for His merciful providence that protects us and cares for us daily.
The Rapture-The resurrection of the saints and those who are alive when Christ comes for his church are simultaneously taken up and changed to immortality.1 Cor.15:51-52 ;1 Thess.4:16-17.
Redemption- to buy back out of slavery of sin. One is liberated from sin being their master because of the complete payment of Christ’s blood. Gal. 3:3; Eph. 1:1; Rom. 3:24-25
Reconciliation-To make man who was once an enemy of God have peace through Christ’s atoning death. A change of relationship between God to man from hostility to harmony. Reconciliation does not necessarily equate salvation, it renders all men savable. Rom. 5:11; Col. 1:20-21; 2 Cor. 5:18
Regeneration - Comes from the Greek word (anagennao) meaning "beginning from above." The new birth described by our Lord in John 3:3,5, originates from heaven. The Holy Spirit’s work of regeneration is compared to the wind. It sovereignly moves; it sovereignly accomplishes its end. The Holy Spirit’s work is effectual and irresistible, the same power which God wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead. Eph.1: 19, 20. There is a passing out of death into life, (John 5:24, Col.2: 13), and a taking away of the heart of stone and a giving of a heart of flesh. (Eze.11: 19)
Repentance - There are three words in Old Testament Hebrew which are translated "repentance" which mean either to sigh, to be sorry, or to turn back or away. There are two words used in the Greek New Testament that mean to regret or to think differently. The idea expressed by the combination of all these words seems to point to a change in the whole person; both in his attitudes, affections and behavior. This meaning is confirmed by prophetic speeches like Ezekiel 18:30,31 where repentance is defined as "casting away transgressions and making a new heart". The importance of repentance is revealed by its connection with forgiveness. Peter joined the two together in his preaching on the day of Pentecost and following the healing of the lame man at the temple. (Acts 2:38; 3:19) When Jesus appeared to Paul He commanded him to preach repentance and forgiveness together. (Acts 26:15-20) Even human relationships can only be restored through repentance as Jesus taught in Luke 17:3,4. This significance of repentance has led some to conclude that we are not saved by faith alone without our works. However, it should be remembered that repentance itself is a gift of God to His elect and not a human accomplishment. Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:24-26)
Sadducees- A group of Jews that held to a strict literal interpretation of then laws of Moses and used only the first 5 books of Moses. They rejected the supernatural, angels and demons and the afterlife. They had control of the temple and the priesthood in Jesus day. Mt. 22:23-33
Sanctification- (to be set apart) holy-Anything set apart for Gods use can be sanctified Days.Gen.2:3, places and things. The progressive work of the Holy Spirit in a (saints) believers life conforming them to the image of the son. 2 Thes. 2:13, Phil. 2:13. Sanctify is used in numerous forms in the O.T. 106 times and 31 times in the N.T.. Holy is used 12 times in the N.T of believers. The word saint is used of Israel 50 times and 62 times of believers. Everyone who experiences the new birth is a saint. The father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are involved in the sanctification process. The Father 1 Thes. 5:23, the Son Eph. 5:26, Heb. 2:11; 9:12.The Spirit Rom. 15:16 2 Thes. 10:36
Salvation-To repent of one’s sins and believe the Good News of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Mark 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-10
Sanhedrin- A group of 70 men who were a religious political body for Israel (a Jewish supreme Court) made up if 24 chief priests (Sadducees), 24 elders (Pharisees), 22 scribes and one high priest overall (71), religious men who dictated how people were to worship God and practice Judaism.
Scribes- copiers of the law (a branch of the Pharisees. They were responsible for safeguarding and copying the scripture. They wrote mainly on parchment, which consisted of dried up and polished skins of calves and sheep rolled up into scrolls. They had a meticulous Job of crosschecking the letters for any mistakes. Each letter was to be a hair breath away from the next. They would have counters to count all the words to see if there were any mistakes. If they found an error, the scroll was completely destroyed. They had memorized immense portions of the O.T. scripture and often argued with Jesus on its meaning.
Shekinah glory- A physical manifestation of God as a cloud, light, fire or darkness. It is not God himself, but when it appeared, he would often be within it. Ex. 3:5, 13:21-22, 19:16-20, Lev.
9: 6-7, 23, Acts 9:3-8
Sin- Transgression of the law, 1 John 3:4 to violate Gods perfect standard or a command given. A moral inclination to do evil, to go against one’s conscience. The source of sin is inside us; our fallen nature Rom. 5:13-14 explains sin was in man and the world before the commandments.
Sovereignty -It is One of God’s attributes, which is infinitely elevated above the highest creature. It is God absolutely independent and subject to no one. God does as He pleases, only as He pleases, always as He pleases. Isaiah 46:10 " My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure" The apostle Paul spells out God’s Sovereignty in one reference, regarding our salvation. God, "having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will." The great Calvinistic preacher, C H Spurgeon said in his sermon on Matthew 20:15: "There is no attribute that is more comforting to His children than that of God’s Sovereignty. Under the most adverse circumstances, in the most severe trials, they believe that Sovereignty has ordained their afflictions, that Sovereignty overrules them, and that Sovereignty will sanctify them all." Psalm 135:6 succinctly puts it, "Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places." Some have argued that the Sovereignty of God destroys human responsibility but A.W. Pink sees it from the right perspective when he says, "human responsibility is based upon Divine Sovereignty, and is the product of it".
Perhaps the grandest display of the absolute Sovereignty is the Biblical emphasis upon the elect whose foundation is a perfect one (II Tim. 1: 19). As for the reprobate, his foundation is sinking sand. The Lord will have "mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardens". Rom. 9: 18
Theophany- A physical manifestation of God as a person or messenger (angel) a pre incarnate appearance of Christ in human form, called "the Angel of the Lord." Gen.16:13, 17:1-3, 18:1, 32:30; Ex. 3:2
Eschatology
The Great Tribulation-The time Jesus warned of as Jacobs trouble Jer. 30:7, the ending of the age. Book of Revelation 6-19 and part of Mt. 24 and 25. 70
th week of Daniel, Dan. 9:27, day of the Lord. 1 Thess. 5:2
Preterism-fulfilled eschatology- belief that the date 70 AD all was fulfilled that Jesus spoke of in
Mt. 24.
The Tribulation teaching is in reference to the rapture and resurrection of the saints.
Pretribulationist- belief that the Church will not go through the tribulation but will be raptured away to heaven and the tribulation is specifically to break the will of Israel and save them as a nation, also to have the world repent in the judgments found in the book of Revelation.
Mid- tribulation-a mid 70th week rapture. The church will be taken out before the great tribulation occurs which is when the antichrist goes into the temple and declares himself God approximately 1,260 days before Christ comes back.
Partial rapture-Only those who are watching and waiting, making themselves prepared will go.
Pre- wrath- A ¾ view which has the church go through much of the tribulation to purify and perfect the bride.
Post-tribulation- Christ comes back at the end of the tribulation and those who are alive through it are raptured. There are 4 views within this position as well: Classic, Semi-Classic, Futurist, Dispensational.
Universalism - This term is used for a variety of theological beliefs, which share a common theme. The common theme is the assumption that God has a saving love for all men. In Liberal theology, this means that He will save all men regardless of whether they believe or not. Therefore, all religion, even atheism, can be viewed as the road, which leads to eternal life. In the Neo-orthodoxy of Karl Barth, universalism means that God has chosen all men "in Christ" but only those who actually believe will be saved. The Arminian view of the atonement is a third example of this tendency. This view asserts that Christ died to save every individual of the human race. The fact that some are not saved is attributed to their ignorance or to their unbelief. The Bible argues against each of these forms of universalism. Against Liberalism, the Bible teaches that there is no other name besides the name of Jesus, which can offer men salvation. (Acts 4:12) Jesus said to the Jews, "unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins". And Paul wrote that salvation was impossible apart from belief in the truth. (Romans 10:13-15) Against Barth, the Bible asserts that God has predestined a particular group of sinners to salvation in Christ. Those who are predestined are the same as those who are in fact saved. (Romans 8:29,30) The Bible knows nothing of a hypothetical salvation that will never be realized. Those who are not saved were rejected before they were born, or had done anything good or evil like Esau. (Romans 9:10-13) And against the Arminian view of the atonement, Christ said that He came to give His life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28) He laid His life down for His sheep not for those who did not believe His words. (John 10:15,26) He sanctified Himself as an offering for the sin of those who follow Him. John 17:19
Vicarious-to take the place of another as a substitution. Jesus took the place of sinners vicariously on the cross. Mt. 20:28
