International Bible Teaching Ministries
Meanings
Question 1: What is the meaning of 606AD and 33AD?
ANSWER: AD comes from the first letters of the two Latin words, “anno domini.” These words mean "in the year of our Lord." 606AD means 606 years after the year in which our Lord was born! This is the year during which the Catholic Church, as we know it today, came into existence. 33AD, likewise, means 33 years after the year in which our Lord was born! This is the year during which it is believed that the church of Christ was established on the day of Pentecost.
If the letters BC were to appear after 606 or 33 (606BC; 33BC), it would mean 606 years or 33 years "before Christ" was born.
Question 2: Does 33AD mean 50 days after Christ's death or does it mean 33 years after Christ's death?
ANSWER: It means neither! AD is not an abbreviation for "after death." AD is an abbreviation for two Latin words, “anno domini.” These words mean "in the year of our Lord" or "in the year since the birth of Christ". 33AD means 33 years since the birth of Christ! 1996AD means 1,996 years since the birth of Christ.
Question 3: What do the numbers 4, 7, 12, 14, and 40 signify?
ANSWER: The numbers 14 and 40 are to be taken literally, specifying, generally, periods of time. Other numbers, as well, may often be taken literally, except when the context demands a figurative interpretation. In such instances, the following may usually be signified:
No. 1 = Unity
No. 2 = Confirmation (witnessing)
No. 3 = God number (Godhead/Trinity)
No. 4 = Earth (four winds/four corners)
No. 5 = Short, definite period of time
No. 6 = Sinister (devil)
No. 7 = Completion/perfection
No.10 = Human completion
No.12 = Organized religion
Question 4: What does "glory" mean?
ANSWER: Glory is praise and honor given to God (Revelation 14:6). It is also, throughout the Bible, referred to as that which belongs to God, i.e., might, magnificence, splendor, and all the attributes of Deity (Exodus 16:7)! Sometimes it refers to heaven itself, and is often so used today (I Timothy 3:16).
Question 5: What is Systematic Theology?
ANSWER: Theology is a study of God, religion, and religious beliefs. Most studies of these matters, using the Bible as a textbook, involve some sort of logical approach. A specific definition of Systematic Theology is nearly impossible since there are nearly as many definitions as there are studies. Basically, however, it can generally be defined as an approach to the study of scripture that strives to understand all of the logical and historical relationships that might exist within the context of a particular passage or passages, and then to make application of the conclusions reached to today's situations. Such study usually begins with the creation and then builds upon that foundation by progressing logically and systematically to other major categories such as the Fall of Man, the Great Flood, the Patriarchal Age, etc.
Question 6: Would you define the following terms: Illumination, Salvation, Restoration, Rewards, Chastening, and Sanctification? Are they related?
ANSWER: If one has been illumined by the light of God's Word, accepts it, and continues to walk in that “Illumination,” he or she experiences “Salvation” from sin (I John 1:7), “Restoration/Reconciliation” to God (II Corinthians 5:20), and “Sanctification,” i.e., set apart from this world of sin (John 17:17; I Corinthians 6:11). Having thus become a child of a loving Father, one will then be “Chastened” by Him to become a partaker of His holiness (Hebrews 12:6-11), and to be the recipient of “Rewards,” according to his works (Matthew 16:27). Certainly, all of these terms are related. However, the closer kinship is between the words “Illumination, Salvation, Restoration, and Sanctification,” all of which are considered to be synonymous with becoming a child of God, while “Rewards and Chastening” occur subsequently.
We need to realize in chastening us that God does not send evil, suffering or sickness upon the children whom He loves, as some teach. However, neither does God protect us from the consequences of our sins, but rather permits us to be chastened thereby that we might not engage further in the sin, causing us to be partakers of His holiness (Hebrews 12:10-11).
Question 7: What is the meaning of "Alleluia?"
ANSWER: It means, "Praise the Lord" or "Praise Jehovah."
Question 8: What is the difference between the mind, body, soul, and spirit?
ANSWER: The mind is the intellectual part of man and, of course, the body is the flesh and blood in which lives the spirit of man. The greater difficulty is trying to understand the difference between the soul and the spirit of man. In the Old Testament Hebrew, the word for soul is "nephesh." In the New Testament Greek, the word is "psykhe" or "psuche." In both cases (Old and New Testaments) where these words appear the meaning must determined solely on the basis of context. For example:
1. These words can refer to the total person: (Ezekiel 18:20; Acts 4:41-43; Romans 2:9; James 5:20; I Peter 3:20).
2. They can refer to the life force within the body: (Genesis 1:30; Matthew 2:20; Luke 12:22; Acts 20:10; I Corinthians 15:45; Revelation 8:9; Revelation 12:11).
3. They often refer to the immaterial, invisible part of man: (Matthew 10:28; Acts 2:25-27; Luke 21:19; I Peter 2:11; III John, Verse two).
4. They are sometimes used in reference to the disembodied: (II Corinthians 5:3-4; Revelation 6:9; Revelation 20:4).
The Hebrew word for spirit is “ruwach” and is so used in Ecclesiastes 12:7 as that part of man that returns to God after its separation in death from the body (James 2:26). In the New Testament the Greek word for spirit is “pneuma” and is so used in Acts 7:19, when Stephen said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Though the spirit is the real life of the body (because it is the spirit of man that quickeneth or makes alive - John 6:63), it is also clear that man possesses both spirit and soul, both of which are apparently necessary to animate the body (Hebrews 4:12; I Thessalonians 5:23).
It is interesting to note also that God who is a Spirit (John 4:24) also has a Soul (Leviticus 26:11, 30; Isaiah 1:14; Matthew 12:18; Hebrews 10:38).
Question 9: What is zeal and how does it affect our lives?
ANSWER: To have “zeal” or to be “zealous” means to be eager or earnestly enthusiastic about or toward a particular effort. Paul used the word “zeal’ when speaking of Israel in Romans 10:2: “For I bear them record that they have a “zeal” of God, but not according to knowledge.” In Titus 2:14, we are told that the reason Christ gave Himself for us was “that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar (different) people, “zealous” of good works. That the Christian is directed to be “zealous” (eager, enthusiastic, boiling over) about the work of Christ is here made very clear. In so doing, not only is one’s own life positively affected (now and in eternity), but the lives of others with whom he has contact as well. The wise man, Solomon, said in Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatsoever” thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” In other words, when this life is over all opportunities will be gone. Therefore, with all “zeal,” take advantage of every opportunity while you live! Zealousness, then, will be a characteristic of the faithful Christian in all aspects of life, i.e., family life, business life, and in the church! Without it, none of these will thrive as they ought!
Question 10: What is the meaning of Good Friday?
ANSWER: It is a religious holiday initiated in the fourth century and “kept” by the Catholic Church and the Protestant denominations in memory of Christ’s death on the cross. It is neither scriptural nor appropriate for the child of God to so do. Faithful Christians are authorized and commanded to remember the death of their Lord on the first day of every week as they partake of the elements that represent His shed blood and broken body, i.e., the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-30; Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 11:23-29).
Question 11: What of seven heavens?
ANSWER: The Jews and Moslems speak of seven heavens, but the Bible does not. Paul says he was caught up into the third heaven (II Corinthians 11:2). The third heaven clearly refers to the highest heaven where God dwells (11:4). The second heaven then would be those heavens in which are the sun, moon, and stars; the area which is often referred to as “outer space.” The first heaven would include the atmosphere in which we now live up to “outer space.”
Question 12: Does the phrase “it shall leave them neither root not branch” in Malachi 4:1 indicate that hell is not eternal? The phrase “ashes under the sole of your feet” in Malachi 4:3? The phrase “everlasting destruction” in II Thessalonians 1:8?
ANSWER: No to all three! Hell is just as eternal as heaven. The duration of both is described by the same Greek word (aionios) in Matthew 25:46: everlasting (aionios) punishment and life eternal (aionios). Both are without end!
The phrase of Malachi 4:1 simply implies that in hell all hope for life is gone, that there is no chance of revival! Malachi 4:3 indicates that in that day the wicked will be humbled under the foot of the righteous! II Thessalonians does not indicate an immediate and total destruction of the soul, but rather that the purposes of the soul in life will be destroyed by means of the eternal punishment that will come to the disobedient!
Question 13: What is the difference between backsliding and apostasy?
ANSWER: Generally, apostasy involves a complete forsaking of one’s religious faith, while backsliding is often applied to one who does not intend to completely forsake his faith, but nonetheless slides back into some of his old sinful habits and practices. Indeed, one may backslide into total apostasy. In fact, this is often the rule, rather than the exception.
Question 14: What are types and shadows as related to the Bible?
ANSWER: A type or shadow, as related to the Bible, is best defined as a person, object, or event of the Old Testament that is regarded as a symbol, a foreshadowing, or a prefigurement of a corresponding reality in the New Testament. The reality is referred to as the antitype. For example in Hebrews 10:1, Paul writes, “For the law having a shadow of things to come, and not the very image of those things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” The idea is that the Old Testament was a shadow or type of things to come. The word "shadow" has to do with an obscure sketch that does not fully reveal that of which it is a symbol. This is to say that the shadow is not the “very image” of that which is to come. The “very image” of the foreshadowing symbol is more than an obscure sketch, it is that which is complete in every detail. The "good things to come" here refer to future blessings that man would realize through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament, then, is the shadow or type that prefigured the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the New Testament, which is the antitype. In this verse, we learn that in the Old Testament sacrifice there was an imperfect representation that prefigured something better or more complete that was to come. In Verse twelve, we see that which had been symbolized by the Old Testament sacrifices, i.e., the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. So then, the Old Testament animal sacrifice is the type or shadow of the sacrifice (the antitype) of Christ. As well, the Old Testament is the type or shadow of the New Testament, which is the antitype.
Another example would be, the perfect lamb that was offered for the sins of the people under the Old Testament (Leviticus 22:17-25) prefigured the perfect Lamb of God that was offered for our sins (John 1:29; I Peter 1:19). The perfect lamb of the Old Testament, then, is the type or shadow. Jesus Christ, as the Lamb of God, is the antitype.
Question 15: What is the difference between a disciple and an apostle?
ANSWER: A disciple is a believer, a learner, and a follower in the thought and teaching of a leader. Thus, all faithful Christians may be referred to as disciples. The word "apostle" literally means, "one sent out." The twelve who were baptized in the Holy Ghost on Pentecost Day of Acts, Chapters 1 and 2 were called “apostles” in a special way, having been thus baptized and “sent out” by Christ to perform a special function in the early church. Although the baptism of Paul in the Holy Spirit is not mentioned in the Bible, it is quite evident that he falls into this same category since he exercised the same miraculous gifts as did the others (Acts 20:10; Romans 1:11) and, as well, the fact of his claim, as directed by the Holy Spirit, that he was “not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles (II Corinthians 11:5)” also attests to his apostleship.
Barnabas (Acts 14:14), Andronicus, and Junias (Romans 16:7) were also called apostles, but not in the same sense as the thirteen (the twelve plus Paul). They were simply Christians or disciples who were ‘sent out” to perform a specific task, not having been baptized in the Holy Spirit and, therefore, incapable of performing the totality of the function assigned to the thirteen!
Question 16: When the Bible says we have different gifts or talents, can a Christian give an excuse not to sing by saying, “I can preach, but I am not gifted to sing?” Can any say, “I can pray, but I can’t teach, because I am not gifted?”
ANSWER: One cannot refrain from singing in worship to God by saying, “ I am not gifted to sing,” because all are commanded to sing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Fortunately for many of us, God did not say we had to sing well or perfectly, but he did say that each of us have to sing! As far as teaching is concerned, all have the responsibility of carrying the Gospel to others within their ability (Mark 16:15-16). However, we must be careful not to attempt to exceed our ability as teachers lest we cause, through our inability, one to be taught that which is harmful. This is the thrust of James 3:1. Certainly it is the will of God that a time is to come in each of our lives when we “ought to be teachers” (Hebrews 5:12-14). However, we are to teach for the right reasons when we are able and prepared to teach, but we must never teach that which we are not scripturally prepared to teach!
Question 17: What is the difference between Judaism and Christianity? Can one rightly practice Judaism today?
ANSWER: Judaism today claims adherence only to the Old Testament while rejecting the New Testament and Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah. One cannot rightly practice Judaism today since God's children today are no longer under the Old Testament! The Old Testament (Judaism) was taken out of the way and replaced by the New Testament of Jesus Christ about two thousand years ago. Please read carefully the following passages: Romans 7:4-7; II Corinthians 3:13-14; Galatians 3:24-25; Ephesians 2:13-16; Hebrews 7:12 / 8:7. As well, in Colossians 2:14, we see that the ‘handwriting of ordinances (Old Testament) was blotted out; that it was against us and contrary to us. Therefore, He took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross!’
For a Christian to go back and serve the Old Testament (Judaism) is for that individual to fall from God's grace (Galatians 5:4). Certainly without Christ and His Word, the New Testament, there can be no salvation (John 12:48; Acts 4:12)!
Question 18: What is a person’s cross?
ANSWER: In Matthew 10:38, Jesus said, “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” A person’s cross then is following Jesus, as He would have us to do, no matter the persecution and suffering that one may reap. It means doing what He says in the way that He says to do it. In other words, it is worshipping and living according to the words of the New Testament! When one follows man and denominationalism, though he might be laboring, he is not taking up and carrying the cross that Christ would have them bear! Christ’s cross and His Word are inseparable!