Tag: soter

Luke 2:10, 11 – Born To Die

Posted on by Will

And the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid!” Look, I proclaim good news to you, a great joy, which will be to all people. Because there was born to you today a Savior (who is Christ the Lord) in the city of David.

Truth to Learn

Jesus Christ came forth as a baby so that he would grow up and die on a cross so that we, being dead sinners, might have eternal life.

 

Behind the Words

“Afraid” is translated from phobeō, from which we get our English word phobia, meaning “fear.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command. It is also accompanied by the negative particle mē. Thus, the angel commanded the shepherds not to be afraid.

The words “I proclaim good news” are from the verb euangelidzomai, meaning “to announce good news.” This is the word from which we get our English verb “to evangelize.”

“Was born” is from a form of the Greek verb tiktō, meaning “to bring forth,” “to bear,” or “to give birth.” It is expressed here in the aorist tense indicating a past completed single action. Thus, when the angel made this announcement to the shepherds, Jesus had already been born.

The word “Savior” is translated from sotēr. This is derived from the verb sodzō, which means “to save,” “to deliver,” or “to preserve safe from danger, loss, or destruction.” This is a very good description of the purpose of the birth of Jesus, to preserve us safe from danger, loss, or destruction.”

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we learned that the shepherds to whom this angel appeared were “afraid with mega-fear.” This is certainly understandable for some simple shepherds, alone in the middle of the night, suddenly visited by a person hovering in the air above them wrapped in brilliant, blazing light.

However, the first words out of this messenger’s mouth were, “Don’t be afraid!” This same exact expression is found at least eighteen times in the New Testament. In every case but one, it was spoken either by Jesus or by one of His angelic messengers. The next thing this angel said was, “I proclaim good news to you, a great joy, which will be to all people.” The reason that the angel told them not to be afraid is because their Savior had come.

Today, the word “gospel” is often used to mean “authentic.” However, in the New Testament it is always the translation of the word euangelion, or “good news.” We Christians usually think of the gospel message as the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which secured our salvation. However, this good news began with His incarnation, His birth as a human being. When we think of our salvation, we think of the cross. When we think of Christmas, we think of the manger. However, without the manger there would be no cross. The good news of salvation through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ began with the good news that God became a man and He did so as a helpless little baby who was laid in an animal’s feeding trough.

 

Application

As we hurry and scurry about during this Christmas season of celebration, let’s not forget that the little baby whose birth we celebrate is our God, who sacrificed Himself for us. This little baby was born to die so that we might live eternally with Him.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

2 Peter 3:2 – The Old and The New

Posted on by Will

to be mindful of the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

Truth to Learn

Christians need to allow God to speak to them from both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

 

Behind the Words

The word “prophets” is transliterated from the Greek word prophētēs. This is a compound word made up of pro, meaning “before, in place or time” and a form of phēmi, which means “to show or to make one’s thoughts known.” As used in the New Testament, the most common use of prophētēs is to refer to someone who makes proclamations before they happen, though it can refer to someone who stands before others and makes proclamations.

“Savior” is translated from sōter, which is derived from sōdzō, meaning “to rescue, to save, or to deliver.”

The word “apostles” is from the Greek word apostolos. This is made up of apo, meaning “from or away from” and stellō, meaning “to set firmly.” Hence, apostolos refers to a person who has been “sent away” with a specific commission.

 

Meaning Explained

Peter stated that he has written this second letter in order to stir up the memories of those to whom he is writing. He wants them to remember things that they have thoroughly investigated and have learned. He now gets a little more specific in today’s verse, and he will get more specific yet in the next verse.

He wants his readers to remember “the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets.” Clearly he is referring to the writings of the prophets in the Old Testament (which to his first century readers was the only testament). Peter is not asking Christians to throw out the Jewish Scriptures; rather, he is encouraging us to continue to read and study the Jewish Scriptures as well as “the command given by our Lord and Savior.”

Jesus Christ brought in a new dispensation with new revelation about the person and work of God and His desire for a personal relationship through faith. Peter is now closely tying that in with all the previous revelation about God contained in what we now call the Old Testament.

Much can be learned about how God wants us to relate to Him by studying the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob along with other spiritual giants of the Old Testament like Noah, Moses, Elijah and David. It’s not just a book of Jewish history, it’s filled with examples of faith and obedience that we New Testament Christians can learn and grow from. Furthermore, the Old Testament contains numerous prophesies about the birth of Christ, the life of Christ, the death of Christ, and the return of Christ in His triumphal glory.

 

Application

There are many foundational truths contained in the Old Testament that are of vital importance to our understanding of God. Christians need to have a firm grasp of God’s teaching in both the Old and New Testaments. If you haven’t already done so, commit today to reading through the entire Bible. Also, commit to studying the lives of Abraham, Moses, and David. The same God who loved them and blessed them for their faithfulness also loves you, and He hasn’t changed!

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved

Luke 2:10, 11 – Born To Die

Posted on by Will

And the angel said to them, Do not fear. Look, I proclaim good news to you, a great joy, which will be to all people. Because today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was born to you in the city of David.

Truth to Learn

Jesus Christ came forth as a baby so that He could die on a cross so that we, being dead sinners, might have eternal life.

 

Behind the Words

“Fear” is translated from phobeō, from which we get our English word phobia, meaning “fear.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating a command. It is also accompanied by the negative particle mē. Thus, the angel commanded the shepherds not to be afraid.

The words “I proclaim good news” are from the verb euangelidzomai, meaning “to announce good news.” This is the word from which we get our English verb “to evangelize.”

The word “Savior” is translated from sotēr. This is derived from the verb sodzō, which means “to save,” “to deliver,” or “to preserve safe from danger, loss, or destruction.” This is a very good description of the purpose of the birth of Jesus, to preserve us safe from danger, loss, or destruction.”

“Was born” is from a form of the Greek verb tiktō, meaning “to bring forth,” “to bear,” or “to give birth.” It is expressed here in the aorist tense indicating a past completed single action. Thus, when the angel made this announcement to the shepherds, Jesus had already been born.

 

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we learned that the shepherds to whom this angel appeared were “afraid with mega-fear.” This is certainly understandable for some simple shepherds, alone in the middle of the night, suddenly visited by a person hovering in the air above them wrapped in brilliant, blazing light.

The first words out of this messenger’s mouth were, “Don’t be afraid!” This same exact expression is found at least eighteen times in the New Testament. In every case but one, it was spoken either by Jesus or by one of His angelic messengers. The next thing this angel said was, “I proclaim good news to you, a great joy, which will be to all the people.” The reason that the angel told them not to fear is because their Savior had come.

Today, the word “gospel” is often used to mean “authentic.” However, in the New Testament it is always the translation of the word euangelion, or “good news.” We Christians usually think of the gospel message as the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which secured our salvation. However, this good news began with His incarnation, His birth as a human being. When we think of our salvation, we think of the cross. When we think of Christmas, we think of the manger. However, without the manger there would be no cross. The good news of salvation through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ began with the good news that God became a man and He did so as a helpless little baby who was laid in an animal’s feeding trough.

 

Application

As we hurry and scurry about during this Christmas season of celebration, let’s not forget that the little baby whose birth we celebrate is our God, who sacrificed Himself for us. This little baby was born to die so that we might live eternally with Him.

In God's service, for His glory,

Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved