Bible, Authority of the: The central question that runs through the Bible is that of the authority of God. His authority is majestically displayed in Genesis 1, where the words “and God said” puncture the darkness of chaos and speak the cosmos into being. It is supremely challenged by a creature of his own making […]

Baptism of the Holy Spirit Seven New Testament passages speak of baptism of/in/with/by the Holy Spirit. The varying prepositions reflect the fact that the Spirit is both the agent and sphere of this baptism. Six of these passages refer to John the Baptist’s teaching, contrasting his baptism in water with Jesus’ future baptism in the […]

Baptize, Baptism The Greek root-word baptizein [baptivzw] means to plunge, immerse, sink; hence to wash; to be immersed, overwhelmed (in trouble). From Jewish rules of purification concerning ritual uncleanness the word gained a technical religious connotation implying “purification” from all that might exclude from God’s presence. When, at the diaspora, numerous Gentiles sought admission to Israel, the […]

Augustus  (venerable ) Caesar , the first Roman emperor. He was born A.U.C. 691, B.C. 63. His father was Caius Octavius; his mother Atia, daughter of Julia the sister of C. Julius Caesar. He was principally educated by his great-uncle Julius Caesar, and was made his heir. After his murder, the young Octavius, then Caius Julius Caesar Octavianus, […]

Atonement  This word does not occur in the Authorized Version of the New Testament except in Romans 5:11 , where in the Revised Version the word “reconciliation” is used. In the Old Testament it is of frequent occurrence. The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so […]

Astronomy  The Hebrews were devout students of the wonders of the starry firmanent ( Amos 5:8 ; Psalms 19 ). In the Book of Job, which is the oldest book of the Bible in all probability, the constellations are distinguished and named. Mention is made of the “morning star” ( Revelation 2:28 ; Compare Isaiah 14:12 ), the “seven stars” and “Pleiades,” “Orion,” […]

Assyria, Asshur, was a great and powerful country lying on the Tigris, ( Genesis 2:14 ) the capital of which was Nineveh. ( Genesis 10:11 ) etc. It derived its name apparently from Asshur, the son of Shem, ( Genesis 10:22 ) who in later times was worshipped by the Assyrians as their chief god. Extent. — The boundaries of Assyria differed […]

Ark  Gold-covered acacia wood box measuring 2.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 cubits that for the Israelite people symbolized the presence of God. It is first mentioned in Exodus 25:10-22 among the furnishings of the tabernacle. The ark’s top cover supported two winged creatures called cherubim. They faced each other across the top of the ark […]

Architecture.  The book of ( Genesis 4:17 Genesis 4:20 Genesis 4:22 ) appears to divide mankind into two great characteristic sections, viz., the “dwellers in tents” and the “dwellers in cities.” To the race of Shem is attributed ( Genesis 10:11 Genesis 10:12 Genesis 10:22 ; 11:2-9 ) the foundation of those cities in the plain of Shinar, Babylon Nineveh and others. The Israelites were […]

ARCHEOLOGY. Archeology, as a branch of historical research, has taken shape over the last cent., and its definition must take account of the widening incidence of its raw material and the sources of its evidence. In the mid-19th cent., when archeology was staging its first triumphs, both the explorer and his public thought of the […]