We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:19-20)
Anchor is the transliteration of the Latin ancora, itself from the Greek ἄγκυρα agkura. While the word is familiar enough, the usage in Hebrews is less obvious.
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But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy, they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. (Acts 5:17-18)
The word ‘party’ translates the Greek noun αἵρεσις (hairesis) and stands for people who strongly self-identify with each other (the verb hairéomai means ‘to personally select’), in other words to cohere as a sect or a religious or philosophical group.
The Romano-Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, writing in the second half of the first century AD, identified four distinct groupings of Jews. For ‘party’, it is best not to consider them in modern terms like political parties, or even organisations (with rules and membership) rather imagine a cross between a faction and a coterie or socio-religious affiliations, although ‘sect’ can certainly be applied in one instance.
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Apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:21-24)
The word translated ‘justify’ is δικαιόω dikaioo which is word taken from a legal setting, dike is ‘to be proved right’ or ‘to gain judicious approval’. The word translated above as ‘righteousness’ as the noun based on the same root, δικαιοσύνη dikeaiosune.
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and deliver us from evil…(Matthew 6:13)
In giving us a pattern for prayer, Jesus tell his followers to pray to be delivered from evil. The Greek word that is translated ‘evil’ is πονηρός poneros, which derives from ponos pain, thus poneros is literally pain-ridden, or more properly that which gives pain.
The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Luke 3:2-3)
The Greek word translated baptism is βαπτίζω baptizó.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:15-17)
If evangelism has become tainted with the association with ranting and bigotry then perhaps it is because not enough Christians took to heart what Peter says in his first letter. What should characterise the messenger who brings the good news of Jesus, who gave of himself to redeem humankind, is contained in the two words translated as gentleness and respect; the evangelist should speak gently and respectfully.
For we, wilfully sinning after the receiving the full knowledge of the truth, no more for sins does there remain a sacrifice but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery zeal, about to devour the opposers…(Hebrews 10:26)
This notoriously difficult and controversial passage reads this way in the NIV.
‘…And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.’ (Matthew 16:18)
This much-misunderstood verse follows Simon Peter’s profession of faith in Jesus as God the Son; the rock, the foundation of the church, is faith not Peter, even if Jesus blesses him for his profession. Church then is simply the earthly host of like-minded believers. The Greek word translated ‘church’ is ἐκκλησίᾳ, ekklēsia from the prefix, ek ‘out, from and to’ and kaleo ‘to call’. This was a common, secular word meaning an assembly, specifically that of a political party literally called out of their homes to assemble in the forum or agora, the market square.
Peter describes the church in this way:
(Those of Christ are…) a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9) Read more
‘Why do you ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good…’ Matthew 19:17
Jesus is approached by a man; the text identifies him as possessing youth and wealth, a heady combination, yet his question to Jesus is directed toward his salvation.
‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?’ (ibid 19:16)
I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth
(Job 19:25)
Job prophesies, here in full:
I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him
with my own eyes – I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me! (ibid 19:25-27)
God Breathed Words 