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Christian (Χριστιανός)

Christian (Χριστιανός) is a word that describes those who are Christ like. The disciples of Christ first gained the name Christian in Antioch after Paul taught them for a year about the salvation we have in Christ, Acts 11:26.

Within the city of Antioch, the disciples were first named Christians. Named, is typically used of a warning; therefore, Christian was a term associated with those who followed the resurrected, glorified, Christ. When Paul was speaking with Agrippa concerning The Way, which is the name that the Church belonging to God was first known by, Acts 24:14, King Agrippa uses the term Christian in response to Paul speaking concerning why he was in bonds in Acts 26:28. The apostle Peter also uses the term Christian in his first letter, encouraging the saints that were scattered that if they suffer as a Christian, one who is acting Christ like, they are not to be ashamed, but to express a proper opinion of God, 1 Peter 4:16. Therefore, the name Christian became well known as relating to those who believe in the resurrection of Christ.

Although there are many who claim the name, “Christian” today, it is a title that belongs to the assembly of God – the body of the Christ, for it describes those who are taught and live out the gospel of the Christ which Paul, the steward of the dispensation, laid out for the saints. Although Paul himself never directly uses the term Christian in his writings, it is a name that he was acquainted with and knew belonged to those of The Way, Acts 26:28. His lack of direct use indicates the name “Christian” was given to those of The Way by the […]

Christian (Χριστιανός)2024-10-03T06:04:59-07:00

Boldness in Speech (παρρησιάζομαι)

Boldness in speech (παρρησιάζομαι) is to clearly speak a word openly.

After Paul’s conversion to Christianity and three years in the desert learning from Christ to serve as the steward of the dispensation of grace, he returned to Damascus, speaking clearly and openly, with boldness of speech, showing from Scripture that Jesus is the Messiah, Acts 9:27.

While Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch of Pisidia sharing the gospel of the Christ in the synagogue, the Jews were filled with envy because of the great multitude of Gentiles following Paul; therefore, they began to speak falsely against and oppose what Paul was saying. Their attempt to thwart the good news Paul declared to them only caused Paul and Barnabas to grow in the openness and clarity of their speech, telling the Jews since they did not desire to follow God and counted themselves as unworthy to receive enteral life, they would turn to the Gentiles, Acts 13:46.

In Ephesus, when Apollos, a man from Alexandria, spoke accurately concerning the things of the Lord, knowing only the immersion of John the Baptist, as he began to speak openly in the synagogue, Aquila and Priscilla heard him. They then took him aside and filled him in on all that had happened since the immersion of John, more accurately explaining to him the way of God, Acts 18:26.

When defending himself against false charges from the Jew before Festus and Agrippa, after Festus called him mad, Paul spoke freely to King Agrippa because Paul was convinced that the King already knew about this matter, Acts 26:26. Because of his openness and clarity of words, Agrippa responded saying, “You almost persuade me also to become a Christian.” However, the matter at […]

Boldness in Speech (παρρησιάζομαι)2024-09-16T14:59:24-07:00

Pleasing (ἀρέσκω)

Pleasing (ἀρέσκω) expresses the concept of acting in a fawning manner to win favor or to act in a way that is pleasing. Therefore, it has a negative, flattery, and a positive, pleasing, side to its meaning.

On Herod’s birthday, Herodias’ daughter danced before Herod and his guests to please him, instigating a response from him that resulted in a promise of a reward. This allowed Herodias to have John the Baptist put to death for calling out Herod’s unlawful act of being with her (his brother’s wife), for she had already instructed her daughter to ask for his head when the King offered her whatever she wanted because she pleased him, Matthew 14:6.

At the beginning of the Church, before the complete revelation concerning the Church was given, the first assembly in Jerusalem faced an issue with the care of the widows among the Hellenistic Jews. This issue required substantial attention and would impact the disciples’ ability to minister to the saints. To address this, the disciples called the multitude together to discuss selecting men who would handle the day-to-day affairs of the assembly, including ensuring that all widows were adequately cared for. This solution would allow the disciples to focus on ministering the Word instead of serving tables. The proposed resolution pleased the multitude, creating the position of Deacon, Acts 6:5.

The desires and works of the flesh cannot please God, for they are carnal in nature and, therefore, hostile to God, Romans 8:8. Because God imputes Christ’s death and resurrection to us, we are able to walk in newness of life, free from slavery to the sin nature, Romans 6:5-6. However, when we try to live the Christian life through law, the result […]

Pleasing (ἀρέσκω)2024-09-05T05:52:16-07:00

Example (τύπος)

An example (τύπος) represents the broader category, principle, or concept it relates to by providing a concrete and relatable demonstration of quality and characteristics. Therefore, example (τύπος) can also be used for an imprint or pattern.

After some of the disciples saw the resurrected Lord, they informed the others who were not present with them that Christ, indeed, was raised from the dead. Thomas responded to their report by stating that unless he saw the imprint of the nails in Christ’s hands, he would not believe, John 20:25.

While the Israelites were in the wilderness, God gave Moses an example of how the Tabernacle in which God would dwell among His people was to be designed, Acts 7:44. The Tabernacle was a shadow of the real heavenly Temple and, therefore, had to be done in accordance with all that God told Moses, Hebrews 8:5.

Adam was a type of the One to come that would save all those who believe in Him. Through Adam’s sin, he condemned the entire human race, for we all sinned in Adam, Romans 5:14. In contrast to the death that Adam brought, through the one to come, who is Christ, all are made alive, 1 Corinthians 15:22. In Adam we died, but in Christ we live. These two types explain the relationship the human race has to its head. We are not individually created beings; instead, we are propagated and, therefore, subject to the likeness and image of our head. After Adam trespassed and sinned, he had children after his likeness and image, Genesis 5:3. Therefore, his children, including us, are born spiritually separated from God and subject to physical death. All those who believe in Christ’s death for sins and […]

Example (τύπος)2024-08-29T07:33:52-07:00

Relent (נָחַם)

Nacham (נָחַם) is often translated as “comfort”, “sorry”, “relent”, “repent”, “moved with pity”, or “grieved”, making it difficult to understand its true meaning. The basic meaning of נָחַם is “to relent”; however, in context it can also express “to console,” since by the nature of relenting one concedes from his distress.

The first occurrence of נָחַם (nacham) in Scripture is when Lamech named his son Noah, which is a form of נָחַם (nacham), meaning, “one who brings comfort,” Genesis 5:29. The birth of a son brought comfort to his parents because they would be able to relent from their work, having an additional hand to assist.

In Genesis 6:6, after seeing that mankind had rejected good and only goes after wrong all day long, for even every formation of the intent of his heart only sought after evil, God determines to destroy these wicked humans. Although many of our translations use the word “sorry” or “regret”, neither of these actually expresses the meaning of נָחַם (nacham), and both imply something about God that is not true. God did not change His mind, or feel regret, concerning creating humans; instead, He relented from striving with humans because of their wickedness. God did not forget His word to Adam, Eve, and the serpent. Due to the wickedness of these humans, God chose to destroy them to stop their evil ways. However, He saved eight souls, allowing humanity to continue and His word to be fulfilled. Genesis 6:6-7 show us that wickedness is very repulsive to God and that He will only permit it to go so far before bringing judgment. To ensure the wickedness of humans would not again get to the point that it was […]

Relent (נָחַם)2024-08-26T07:22:22-07:00
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