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Apologetic Defense of the faith, the Bible, and Christianity
A classic reference, this comprehensive Bible dictionary [Updated and Expanded] provides a wealth of basic background information in a free online format. It includes more than 400+ high definition images and special articles in addition to page after page of basic information.
In order to be forgiven, we must be repentant. Based on Scripture, we must have a change of mind characterized by heartfelt regret over a former way of life, wrong actions, or even what one has failed to do. True repentance brings about fruitage, a change in our action.—Matt. 3:8; Ac 3:19; 2 Pet. 3:9.
All of us have inherited a sinful nature, meaning that we are currently unable to live up to the mark of perfection in which we were created. In fact, Genesis 6:5 says we all suffer from, ‘our whole bent of thinking, which is nothing but evil.” Genesis 8:21 says that ‘our mind is evil from our very youth.’ Jeremiah 17:9 says that our hearts are treacherous and desperately sick.” Based on this alone, you must read this article.
Christ taught that forgiveness is a duty. No limit can be set to the extent of forgiveness (Lu 17:4) and it must be granted without reserve. Jesus will not admit that there is any wrong so gross nor so often repeated that it is beyond forgiveness. To Him an unforgiving spirit is one of the most heinous of sins (Bruce, Parabolic Teaching, 376 ff).
In the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament, humility is an essential characteristic of true piety, or of the man who is right with God. God humbles men in order to bring them to Himself (De 8:2-3, etc.), and it is when men humble themselves before Him that they are accepted (1Ki... Continue Reading →
Ark of the Covenant: (Heb. aron berit; Gr. kibōtos diathēkē) The original chest made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold, the cover being of solid gold with two cherubs facing each other, which the Israelites kept in the Most Holy of the tabernacle and later in the Most Holy of the temple that Solomon... Continue Reading →
Areopagus: (Gr. Areios Pagos) It literally means ‘hill of mars.’ It is the location of an Athens court, where the apostle Paul explained his beliefs to the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers of Athens, which is traditionally associated with a rocky hill not far below the Acropolis, overlooked the Agora (i.e., marketplace) in Athens, Greece. –... Continue Reading →
Archangel: (Gr. archangelos) Michael is the only spirit named as an archangel in the Bible. Nevertheless, some Bible scholars believe that ‘it is possible that there are other’ archangels. However, the prefix “arch,” meaning “chief” or “principal,” indicates that there is only one archangel, the chief angel. Yes, Gabriel is very powerful, but no Scripture... Continue Reading →
Aramaic: (Heb. arāmî) It is a Semitic language similar to Phoenician and Hebrew, using the same alphabet. It was the language of the Arameans, who were present in northwestern Mesopotamia, with their kingdoms being mentioned in the Bible account at the same time as the development of the nation of Israel. Aramaic would become the... Continue Reading →
Aram; Aramaeans: (Heb. arǎmmî) These were the descendants of Shem’s son Aram, who mainly lived in various regions N of Israel, running from the Lebanon Mountains across to Mesopotamia and from the Taurus Mountains in the north down to Damascus. The Aramaeans hardly ever formed any kind of nation state; rather they lived as self-governing,... Continue Reading →