Christian Publishing House Blog
Apologetic Defense of the faith, the Bible, and Christianity
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 →
Appearing: (Gr. epiphaneia) It literally means “a shining forth,” which was used to refer to a divine being becoming visible to humans. Epiphaneia is used in the NT to refer to Jesus first coming to the earth and his second coming as well. – 2 Thess. 2:8; 1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1, 8... Continue Reading →
Apostle: (Gr. apostolos) The basic sense of the word is a “messenger, representative,” or “sent one.” This was a special messenger or envoy of Jesus Christ. In the Greek NT, “apostolos” is used primarily with regard to those who were taught directly by Jesus and who were given the authority to speak in his place,... Continue Reading →
Apostasy: (Gr. apostasia) The term literally means “to stand away from” and is used to refer to ones who ‘stand away from the truth.’ It is abandonment, a rebellion, an apostasy, a refusal to accept or acknowledge true worship. In Scripture, this is used primarily concerning the one who rises up in defiance of the... Continue Reading →
Antichrist: (Gr. antichristos) The term “Antichrist,” occurs in the NT five times. From those five times, we gather this entity is “against” (i.e. denies Christ) or “instead of” (i.e., false Christs) Jesus Christ. There are many antichrists that began back in the apostle John’s day and will continue up unto Jesus’ second coming. (1 John... Continue Reading →
Anoint: (Heb. māšǎḥ Gr. chriō) In the Hebrew OT, the word meant to anoint, smear, rub an object or person (a prophet, priest, or king) with a liquid, which symbolized a dedication or consecration for a special service. In the Greek NT, the word meant to anoint with oil, to assign one to a duty,... Continue Reading →
Affliction; Afflicted: (Heb. ʿanah) The Hebrew word means to do or be evil or bad, to treat badly, to harm, and to do wrong. The sense is to afflict distress or to cause serious harm, or to be in the state of being afflicted, distressed, disturbed, or miserable. – Ruth 1:21; 1 Ki 8:35; Ps.... Continue Reading →