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The
need for a small reference book, which gives explanations
of Bible words, became apparent after some years of
working in the East European mission field. It was
frequently found that the same word could have two
completely different meanings to different people,
depending on their religious background, or lack of
the same. For example, to those with Roman Catholic,
Orthodox, or Lutheran Church connections, baptism
means a ceremony, necessarily performed by a 'priest'
and preferably at a font in a church, in which water
is sprinkled on the head of a baby and the sign of
the cross made on its forehead. There are of course
other variants to this procedure. By this act the
baby is enrolled as a member of the church.
The Bible knows nothing of this. Baptism is immersion
in water undertaken by responsible adults who, when
they understand the grace of God towards them in the
forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life in
God's kingdom, demonstrate their faith by an act which
represents their death and resurrection to a new life
in Christ, and their confidence that they, as Christ
their Master was, will be raised from the dead to
a new life in his kingdom when he returns. This book
draws attention to this and other similar areas of
misunderstanding.
It was also realised that most religions have an overlay
of tradition, a structure of authority and secular
connections which rival, ignore, and at times contradict
the message of Scripture. These need to be put aside
before the gospel can be appreciated. The inspired
Bible is the foundation of the Christian Church. When
we bring to the Bible the skill of the translators
and our own ability to think and reason, (not inspired,
but God-given), the Word of God comes alive. There
are uncertainties in the text and in the meaning of
the text, as the footnotes to many versions attest.
There are also alternative interpretations which seem
equally valid, but if we take the Bible as a whole,
these doubtful areas do not intrude sufficiently to
obscure the clear message of the gospel.
Over the centuries the gospel message has been corrupted
by the introduction of non-Scriptural ideas and philosophies,
and feeble reactions to the doubts of the sceptics.
This has led to religions in which the Bible has taken
second place to human speculation. Bible words have
been ignored or suppressed or have acquired artificial
meanings.
The quotations from Scripture are taken, by kind permission
of the Publishers, from the New International Version
of the Bible (NIV), except where it is indicated that
the King James Version (KJV) has been quoted from
or referenced. The NIV - in a number of variants -
has been used because it probably has the widest circulation
and broadest appeal of all the modern versions at
the present time. It uses many different words that
are not found in the King James Version. In some places
it has been necessary to explain differences in meaning
which have arisen from these changes.
In preparing this book the writer has taken as his
guide and inspiration the work of the 17th century
scholar John Biddle, whose understanding of the Bible
was second to none. He gave his life to defend his
faith against Cromwell's government and the State
church. To the intense irritation of his enemies,
Biddle wrote and published A Scripture Catechism in
which every question propounded was answered by reference
to Scripture alone. At his trial he was told that
he must answer his accusers in his own words. This
he repeatedly refused to do, saying that he could
not possibly improve upon the words of Scripture,
and that they must be his only answer.
This book provides a selection of words which are
frequently neglected or misunderstood, or whose meaning
has changed over the centuries in relation to every
day speech. These words are explained in the context
of the Bible as a whole, and examples given of their
use in Scripture. This is a reference book for those
who would like to clear their minds of popular misconceptions
and reach a better understanding of the Bible.
The idea for this book arose from discussions with
Asael Truupold of Tartu, Estonia, a keen Bible student,
who first proposed a vocabulary of Bible Words to
help bridge the gap between the Estonian and English
languages, and submitted the original list of entries.
His ideas were then expanded, and word explanations
added to each entry. At the time of publication, the
Estonian translation of this book is in hand, and
translations for use in other countries are under
consideration.
The
writer wishes to express his grateful thanks for the
considerable help he has received in the preparation
of this work. Robert Wilkinson, M.A. has checked and
corrected the text and made valuable suggestions for
additions and improvements; Printland staff, whose
critical eyes have been similarly employed, have changed
the original draft into a document fit to be offered
for publication; and Phyllis Whitehouse has checked
every word.
David
Whitehouse
1998
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