C A R L B. G A R N E R

DO YOU KNOW THE MEANING?

My experience indicates that we are less than familiar with many very important Bible words. The reason this is significant is obvious, for if we do not know what a Bible word means, we can hardly do what the Bible demands in that context. I had university students in my classes who were neither stupid nor incapable of reason. Yet, when they read such passages as Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," they were not always sure what some of those words meant.

Some of these words do not have the same definition in the modern dictionary that they had when they were spoken or written. Words like "repent," "sin," "Christian," and "faith." In a later study we will consider some others, but for just a few moments, let us define those previously mentioned:

"REPENT"
The dictionary defines the word repent thus: "regret; grieve for sin or crime; contrition." While these words are included in the meaning of this vital word, they fall short of the biblical meaning. From a Greek word, this term means, "to change one's mind or purpose, always, in the New Testament, involving a change for the better" (W.E. Vine). It is certainly far more than merely saying "I'm sorry," though that is part of the word. Taking all that the Bible says of this word, it indicates a recognition of sin, a sorrow for sin, a change of mind concerning one's actions, and a change of life or action resulting from that change of mind. To say "I regret having done_____" is not at all an admission of guilt or a change of mind about committing sin or crime. John the baptist said, "bring forth fruits worthy of repentance," Matthew 3:8. Perhaps an inclusive definition would be: "A change of mind, motivated by godly sorrow that leads to a change of life."

"FAITH"
Skeptics and agnostics enjoy playing games with this word. "Faith is believing something that no one in their right mind would ever believe" is atheism's definition of faith. Superstition and gullibility are synonyms according to the doubters. I am sympathetic to the view that an idea needs more than acceptance in order to be true. Christians, above all people, must be rational thinkers. They must examine all the evidence before reaching a conclusion. The common definition of superstition is "an unreasoning belief" of some phenomenon. But Christians are told not to be unreasoning, but to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear," 1 Peter 3:15. Faith does not close the eyes and take a blind leap, but looks at the facts. Having done so, one is capable of making rational decisions.

"SIN"
Sin is defined in in clear, simple, terms: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law," 1 John 3:4. It is not something inherited from an ancestor, Ezekiel 18:20. It is not merely an error in judgment. It is not a violation of human tradition. It is transgression of God's law. The original word had the force of "missing the mark," but it is more than a "mistake." It is rebellion against God's will, whether intentional or not. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin," James 4:17. But ignorance does not remove our culpability for our actions, Luke 12:47. If that were so, we should hide the Gospel from the lost instead of taking it to them. No, we must not hide the Gospel, but lovingly teach it.

"CHRISTIAN"
Some may have used this term in derision, Acts 26:28, but that does not detract from the significance of the word. In 1 Peter 4:16 we read, "If a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name." Acts 11:26 says "the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." A Christian is someone who belongs to Christ, Galatians 3:29; and if I am a Christian I am "Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." If one is a Christian, he/she will try to be like Christ and follow in His steps, 1 Peter 2:21-22, but the word Christian is not defined by the term "Christ-like." It means to belong to Christ, to be His, being "in Christ," Galatians 3:26-27.

Being a Christian means more than sitting in a church building, singing hymns or doing good deeds. Lots of people will check that box on an survey form, but that doesn't mean God calls them a Christian in His book. It is more than just the difference between Jews and Christians. If you are a Christian, it is because you have submitted yourself to Christ, have become His disciple, died to sin and are now raised to "walk in newness of life," Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 3:1-17. This is more than just an academic study of words, for these are the words chosen by the Holy Spirit in His process of "inspiration." Knowing these we can be more effective Bible students, and can give assistance to others who want to know God's precious Word.