Greek: Frequency Vocabulary (19-12 Occurrences)
Greek: Frequency Vocabulary (19-12 Occurrences)
The exercise contains words that occur between 19 to 12 times in the New Testament. Mastering this vocabulary will increase your ability for a more fluent reading of the New Testament in the Greek language.
Greek: Frequency Vocabulary (49-20 Occurrences)
The exercise contains words that occur between 49 to 20 times in the New Testament. Mastering this vocabulary will increase your ability for a more fluent reading of the New Testament in the Greek language.
Catechesis (education and teaching)
The ultimate goal of Christian catechesis is to prepare believers for holy life in Christ Jesus and preserve them for the day of salvation. The primary biblical tools to achieve this task are God's Word (2 Timothy 3:13), Mercy (Titus 2:11-13), and Law (Exodus 20; Matthew 5-7).
Pastoral Care (Cure of Souls)
The term pastoral care comes from latin cura animarum and from the activity itself. This ministry reflects Jesus' pastoral attributes in practical service to the world (neighbors). It is based on texts such as Matthew 22:37-40 or Matthew 25:35-40. Its primary goal is ministry towards Christians to...
Announcement of Judgement over Egypt (Exodus 7:1-7)
God has commanded Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. However, Pharaoh does not comply with such a demand. Pharaoh's uncooperative mind is partly the work of God which is mentioned many times throughout the whole discourse (Ex 7:3-4). The plagues are not meant to be disasters in...
Rule of Faith (Regula Fidei)
The rule of faith is kind of a summary statement. It incorporates a set of doctrines based on Scripture. It was especially used as a unity statement in order to define Christianity (i.e. against gnostics), as a exegetical base, or as a baptismal formula. It can be found in various forms among the...
Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is a declaration of faith stated by the church fathers on the Council of Nicaea (325 AD). This is the first creed solving crucial doctrinal issues and church disunity. The content of the creed is following: Πιστεύομεν εἰς ἕνα Θεὸν Πατέρα παντοκράτορα, πάντων...
Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
Matthew 25:1-13 is the Parable of the Ten Virgins, which is part of Jesus' teachings in the Olivet Discourse. In this parable, ten virgins are waiting for the bridegroom (symbolizing Jesus) to arrive for a wedding banquet. Five of them are wise and bring extra oil for their lamps, while the other...
Exaltation of Christ (Philippians 2:6-11)
This passage is considered to be a fragment of an early Christian hymn. Such hymns existed in order to honor and praise God. There is, of course, a pastoral frame around the hymn. The function of the hymn here is to persuade and motivate Philippian Christians to imitate Christ in his humbleness...
Christ’s Supremacy in Cosmos and Atonement (Colossians 1:15-20)
The hymn of Colossians 1:15-20 focuses on the agency of Christ in the creation of all that is. The flow of the text is interrupted by the hymn in the change of the personal pronouns from the first and second person (I, you) to the third person (he). In the end, It is then resumed back to previously...
Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed
The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed is a declaration of faith stated by the church fathers on the Council of Constantinople (381 AD). This creed is an extended update of the Nicene Creed (325 AD). The purpose of the creed is to define orthodox Christianity against sentiments of heretical groups...
Peter's love for Jesus - Peter do you love me? (John 21:15-19)
After Jesus meets fishing disciples in Galilee, a short story follows narrating a dialog between Peter and Jesus. This is the third encounter of Jesus with his disciples after the resurrection. The story begins with arranging the event after finishing their meal (ἠρίστησαν [éristésan]). Jesus...
Epistle to the Romans
The Epistle to the Romans was always drawing considerable attention among theologians. For example, it was this epistle which significantly contributed to conversion of Augustine, to Martin Luther's discovery of justification by faith or was used by Karl Barth to form manifesto of dialectical...
Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
Matthew 25:14-30 communicates a significant theological message about the importance of utilizing one's gifts and resources to glorify God and serve others. In the parable, a master entrusts his servants with varying amounts of talents (an ancient unit of currency) before going on a journey. Upon...
What is Faith (Hebrews 11:1-40)
This text is sometimes called "heroes of faith" and contains one of the most known verses of the Bible: "Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1). Surely this text has something to say about what the faith is. This text helps us to realize...
Baptism and Testing of Jesus (Mark 1:9-13)
Mark 1:9-13 describes the baptism and temptation of Jesus. The Gospel of Mark binds these two events causally close. The story in this passage highlights Jesus' identity as the Son of God and his ability to resist the temptation of Satan. The role of the Holy Spirit, which descends on Jesus upon...
Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16)
The story of Cain and Abel is the first following right after the events of the fall. The story of the fall is full of despair and fear of the uncertain future. Humanity lost everything: relationships (God and among themselves), home, and future. However, here a new story begins with a bright and...
Gospel of John
The Gospel of John, one of the four canonical Gospels in the Christian Bible, presents a unique and deeply theological portrayal of Jesus Christ, distinct from the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This book emphasizes Jesus' divine nature and his role as the Son of God, offering a...