It Was Written By Ancient And Primitive People And Has No Value To Modern People Anymore
The Bible was written by ancient people, to be sure. The earliest writings come from the second half of the second millennium BC and the most recent parts from around 300 BC. Thats a long time ago. The New Testament is more recent, but even those books were written almost 2000 years ago. They were written in ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek by people who were culturally different from us. Indeed, we often misunderstand the message of the Bible if we dont remember our temporal and cultural distance from those who wrote it. But its one thing to say the Bible was written by ancient people and another thing to say that they were written by primitive people. Even without taking into account the claim that these authors speak on behalf of God, such a charge would be the height of our own cultural arrogance. Yes, ancient people did not have computers, cell phones, video games, or even electricity or cars, neither did Shakespeare or Plato, and would we also say that these writers are too ancient to say anything true or meaningful? We have made remarkable advances in our understanding of natural world since biblical times, and the biblical authors often reflect their ancient worldview . But the Bible does not intend to teach us about cosmology, and the faulty cosmology that it assumes does not affect its intended message.
Where Did The Word Christian Come From In The Bible
4.9/5Bibleword ChristianChristians
People also ask, where did the term Christian come from?
The Greek word ΧÏιÏÏιανÏÏ , meaningfollower of Christ, comes from ΧÏιÏÏÏÏ , meaninganointed one, with an adjectival ending borrowed from Latin to denote adhering to, or even belonging to, as in slave ownership.
Also Know, what is the definition of a Christian in the Bible? Definition of Christian. 1a : one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ. b : disciple sense 2. : a member of one of the Churches of Christ separating from the Disciples of Christ in 1906.
Also, how many times did the word Christian appear in the Bible?
Christian. The wordChristian is used three times in the New Testament: Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16.
Does the word Bible appear in the Bible?
Bible is the Greek word Biblos meaning book. Its first usage is in the very first verse of the New testament and it is the first word the NT starts: ÎαÏθ. 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Reasons The Old Testament Is Important For Christians
If Christians are part of the new covenant, why should we seek to understand and apply the Old Testament ?
Ill give 10 reasons why the first word in the phrase Old Testament must not mean unimportant or insignificant to Christians.
1. The OT was Jesuss only Scripture and makes up three-fourths of our Bible.
If space says anything, the OT matters to God, who gave us his Word in a book. In fact, it was his first special revelation, which set a foundation for the fulfillment we find in Jesus in the New Testament .
The OT was the only Bible of Jesus and the earliest church , and its a major part of our Scriptures.
2. The OT substantially influences our understanding of key biblical teachings.
The first word in the phrase Old Testament must not mean unimportant or insignificant to Christians.
Further, some doctrines of Scripture are best understood only from the OT. For example, is there a more worldview-shaping passage than Genesis 1:12:3? Where else can we go other than the OT to rightly understand sacred space and the temple? Is there a more explicit declaration of YHWHs incomparability than Isaiah 40, or a more succinct expression of substitutionary atonement than Isaiah 53? Where should we go to know what Paul means by psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs ?
3. We meet the same God in both Testaments.
Thus Gods grace fills the OT, just as it does the NT.
7. Jesus said that all the OT points to him.
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A Christian Is One Who Walks In Faith
In Galatians 5:22, the Bible outlines faith as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. A person is said to have faith if they are convicted of the things they cannot see but only hope for. According to the Bible, a Christian is somebody who has faith in God. A Christian believes in a God they have never seen through faith. A Christian hopes to have eternal life through faith. Unless you have faith, you cannot claim to be a Christian.
Christians live by faith that through the hand and guidance of the Lord, they will acquire eternal life. Faith is the core of all Christians’ actions and words. In distress, pain, and suffering, Christians stay strong because they have faith that the Lord is with them and that he will make them victors. Christians, through faith, believe that Jesus will come again to carry the righteous and live with them eternally in heaven. The day-to-day activities of a Christian are grounded in their faith in a supernatural being who is God the father, the son and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Will Return To Israel
Until the Rapture sets the events of the Tribulation in motion, we will not know the timing of Christs return. However, the Bible does tell us the precise location of His return. Toward the end of the Old Testament, the prophet Zechariah predicted, In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south .
God specifically chose Jerusalem for her role in the history of Israel, the life of Jesus, and in the events of His return. In 2 Chronicles 6:6, He says, I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel. Deuteronomy 11:12 describes Israel as a land for which the Lord your God cares the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year. Israel holds a special place in Gods heart, and when His Son returns, He will set foot upon the Mount of Olives with the city of Jerusalem in His sights.
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How Many Words Are In The Bible
People look at the Bible in different ways. Christians see the Bible as the Word of God. Other people see the Bible as just a historical text. Whatever your personal belief, the Bible is a controversial text. Its origins and religious significance are subjects of debate.
Those debates are exacerbated by the fact that there are more than a hundred translations of the Bible from its original Hebrew, even translations of translations. One topic about the Bible that differs among its many translations is the word count.
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A Prayer To Remember God’s Incredible Love For Us
Holy Father,
Thank you for the inconceivable, unending, wonderful love that You have, and that You show each being in Creation. Your Word speaks of how You care for the sparrows, and how Your very nature is love. Thank you for demonstrating how much You love us by sending Jesus to die on the cross, paying the price as the perfect substitute for our sins, so that we may have forgiveness and a relationship with You. Please be with us, help us to feel the Holy Spirit. Help us never to forget the great love You have for us. You gave us life, salvation, and hope for eternal life. Fill us continually with Your Spirit so we know Youre there, and that You love us. Thank you for the Bible, which is full of reminders of Your incredible nature. Help us to love others as You love us, and to show the world Your love. Keep our hearts and focus on You, o Lord.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
Love is the center and obsession of books, movies, poems, and philosophy. People have done things that are brave and foolish, kind and cruel, smart and stupid, in its name. No act of love will have a greater impact on Creation than that singular act of redeeming love which put Christ on that cross two thousand years ago. Every mention of love in the Bible foreshadows, reflects, and is a byproduct of that love, the very essence of Gods character.
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Jesus Speaks On Moriah
Christ Patterned
Here is the ultimate test of faith, but it has tested more than Abrahams faith. This chapter has proved a stumbling block to many as they read Gods words to Abraham: Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you . Its an utter scandal until you consider the pattern. Who is this son? He is the seed of Abraham, the hope of the world. All Gods promises are focused on this beloved son. If he is sacrificed, God would have to somehow! bring him back to life in order to save and bless the world.
Notice that he is to be sacrificed on a mountain in the region of what would become Jerusalem . He carries the wood on his back as he trudges up the hill toward the atoning sacrifice . All the while, Abraham believes that he will receive the son back from death . When you understand the pattern the death and resurrection of the son Genesis 22 becomes not a barrier but an almighty boost to faith.
Christ Promised
Christ Present
On the subject of the angels identity, Calvin summarizes the history of Christian interpretation that went before him:
The orthodox doctors of the Church have correctly and wisely expounded, that the Word of God was the supreme angel, who then began, as it were by anticipation, to perform the office of Mediator.
A Christian Responds To Gods Calling
Gods Word is quite clear that one cannot just choose to be a Christian! There is a calling or invitation involved. God is not calling all of mankind at this time , nor the particularly rich, famous or powerful of the world .
God most often calls ordinary people who can more readily acknowledge their human weaknesses and learn Gods way. These are people who have made mistakes, know it, yet appreciate the forgiveness that God extends to them . Children who have a parent who is a genuine Christian are all invited by God to also become Christians .
To be a true Christian, a person must changereally change! Acts 2:37-39Acts 2:37-39 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brothers, what shall we do? Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
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A Christian Is Somebody Who Shows Change
In the book of Acts 2:37-39, the Bible says that for one to be a Christian, they have to repent their sins and change their ways of life. Conversion is the biblical term that is used to explain the change process that one undergoes upon receiving Christ. When a person becomes a Christian, they are motivated by the good works of God into becoming better individuals.
It is without a doubt that you cannot change all your behaviors and actions overnight. Therefore, to achieve the change that is expected of any Christian, you have to live with a repentant attitude every day and eventually move towards the correct direction as outlined in the scriptures. Change is a continuous process that you can achieve through disciplined practice. For a Christian, you have to discipline yourself by avoiding circumstances and situations that can interfere with your change process. Finding an accountability partner is another great way of ensuring that you attain the positive change expected of a Christian.
All You Need Is Love: Forgiveness
When Jesus saw faith, He said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven you.
The hardest part of forgiving another person is acting like the offense never occurred. But that is what forgiving someone meansrestoring relationships to the status they enjoyed before the offense took place. Its one thing to say, I forgive you, but its another to act like all the effects of an offense are completely erased. After all, according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, love is known by its actions more than its words.
Jesus faced this dilemma when He healed a paralytic man. When He told the man that his sins were forgiven , He was criticized. He was accused of blaspheming by saying He had the authority to forgive sinssomething only God can do. So, Jesus proved He had the authority to say, I forgive you, by doing something harder. He healed the mans paralysis. After all, as Jesus explained, actions speak louder than words .
We cannot go through life without being hurt by others, so we should learn to forgive. Even more, we should practice demonstrating our forgiveness by our acts of lovingkindness. Look for opportunities to do both.
Forgiveness is to be set loose from sins.G. Campbell Morgan
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A Christian Is Someone Who Believes In Life After Death
In the book of Romans, the Bible states that the wages of a sin is death but the gift from God is eternal life in Jesus Christ. According to the Bible, a Christian is one who believes in eternal life after death. Christians believe that they will reunite with the dead in heaven. A Christian, therefore, ought to believe that when they die, they will rise again and live forever in heaven with their maker. Additionally, Christians should believe that they will meet their dead loved ones in heaven upon the second coming of Christ.
Christians believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ. During this time, he will come to take his righteous ones with him to his Father in heaven. Therefore, a Christian believes in the second coming of Jesus. All Christians should live in righteousness as they know that it is the only guarantee to eternal life in heaven. You cannot be a Christian unless you believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ that will be crowned with eternal life.
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It Is Full Of Violence Genocide Prejudice And Injustice Often Commanded By Godand Its Been Used By Christians To Justify More Violence And Oppression
Yes, the Bible is full of prejudice, violence, attempted genocide, and injustice. The Bible, after all, gives us the brutal truth about sinful human beings.
Of course, people who bring this charge against the Bible dont have these instances of human violence and injustice in mind, but rather they are thinking of those many stories where God brought violence on people either directly or through the agency of his followers. Think of the flood story , the killing of the Egyptian soldiers at the Red Sea , or the Conquest . But, while it is hard to get our 21st century Western minds around it, these are stories of justice, bad people receiving the judgment that they deserve. God brings the Flood against violent humanity he closes the Red Sea against Egyptian soldiers who were trying to kill the Israelites, and he commands Joshua to fight the Canaanites because their sin had reached its full measure .
Its only people who live in relatively peaceful circumstances who have the luxury of being turned off by such stories. The hard truth of the Bible is that people who reject God and harm other people will eventually receive punishment for them. Thats also the message of the New Testament, in the teaching behind heaven and hell.
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How Many Times Is The Word Christian Used In The Bible
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To best understand the Bible, know that its an anthology. A collection of books that are together held sacred for followers of the Abrahamic religion. The Bible is usually divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament. It is the word of God decreed to guide humankind to follow the ways of God.
The guide is for the betterment and larger good of the entire humanity. Its primary subject is the human being. The Bible is many books in one, covering a diverse range of themes. Its a collection of commandments, a self-discovery guide, and a collection of stories. No wonder the book is meant to benefit all. If we rely on King James Bible, the word Christian has appeared in the Bible only thrice!
Bible.org attests there is special emphasis on the word three in the Bible. Jobs three daughters, Noahs three sons, the three times David bowed before Jonathanall have three in them. Some scholars believe the number holds significance due to the Holy Trinity The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit.
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