The concept of self denial is a central part of the Biblical ethic,yet is found in only one reference: "If anyone would come after me,let themdeny themself and take up their cross and follow me" (Matt. 16:24).Through his actions,Jesus called his disciples...[继续阅读]

    A Greek word meaning "presence,or arrival" which refers to thereturn of Jesus at the end of the age (Matt. 24 :3; 2 Pet. 3 :12). The OTpeople,whose identity was shaped by the mighty acts of God in their own ex-perience,looked forward to a future deliveran...[继续阅读]

    A Hittite man who was one of Davids military heroes (2 Sam. 23:39). King David had an affair with Uriahs wife Bathsheba. In order to coverup the resulting pregnancy,David ordered Uriah to return home toJerusalem. When Uriah did not comply with Davids inst...[继续阅读]

    The belief in the existence of many gods. Most of the societiesaround Israel were polytheistic (1 Cor. 8:5). From the very earliest days theOT opposed the entire concept of polytheism and the mythological beliefs thatwent with it. While they were constant...[继续阅读]

    The general period of time between the birth of parents and thebirth of their children,often generalized to be 30-40 years (Dt. 2:14),al-though in the OT,a generation can mean any period up to 100 years (Gen.15:13,16). In other places in the Bible,the ter...[继续阅读]

    For forty days after his resurrection,Jesus lived with his disci-ples. This period ended with an emotional departure in which Jesus was liftedfrom their sight,and returned to be with his father in heaven. (Acts 1:1-11)...[继续阅读]

    The common term describing Herods slaughter ofinnocent male children two years old and younger in Bethlehem at the time ofthe birth of Jesus (Matt. 2:16-18). A messianic prediction given by the Magithat a child who would become "King of the Jews" had been...[继续阅读]

    The northeastern portion of the Greek peninsula,it is a verymountainous region,divided by huge river valleys,and was socially and cul-turally detached from Greece. Macedonia was one of the major land routesbetween Asia and the West. Paul visited this regi...[继续阅读]

    An ancient city in northern Greece (Acts 16:12,20:6). Paul visit-ed Philippi and established a small Christian church as the result of a group ofwomen gathering for prayer just outside the city gate (Acts 16:13). A wom-an named Lydia was part of this grou...[继续阅读]

    An early collection of sayings of Jesus used by the writers of thegospels,the term literally means "words" in Greek. It is believed that thesesayings of Jesus were collected by Matthew....[继续阅读]