Sermons & Devotionals by Dictionary of Theology

Clergy are the body of people ordained to perform religious tasks. Laity are those who are members of a religion but not of the clergy.... Lee mas

An early book form made from papyri leaves cut, folded, and sewn together in the middle to make a book. First used in the 2nd century.... Lee mas

The grace of God given to the creation as a whole. God still allows the sun to shine upon the unsaved. He feeds them, allows them to work, and have joy. It is common grace that "restrains" the wrath of God until a later time. It is in special grace that salvation is given to the Christians.... Lee mas

The theological position that the properties of both the human and the divine natures of Jesus are attributed to the one person of Christ. For example, John 17:5 is where Jesus, the man, says, "And now, glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I had with Thee before the wo... Lee mas

The Lord's Supper (Matt. 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Cor. 1:23-26). It is the breaking of bread (Acts 2:42,46) and a time to give thanks (Luke 22:17,19). It was originally instituted by Jesus (Matt. 26:26-29) on the night of the Passover meal which was an annual occurrence celebrating ... Lee mas

Declaring an evildoer to be guilty; the punishment inflicted. Without Jesus we stand condemned before God not only because of the sin of Adam (Rom. 5:16-18) but also because of our own sin (Matt. 12:37). However, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law ... Lee mas

The view that immortality is given only to those Christians who believe in Christ. The rest are destroyed and do not exist. Some adherents to conditional immortality believe that the wicked will be punished in hell for a period proportional to their sins and then they are annihilated.... Lee mas

The act of disclosing one's sins. In Catholicism, it is telling sins to a priest and the Lord forgives the person through the priest. Biblically, confession of sins is done to the one offended without the mediatorship of a priest.... Lee mas

In Catholicism, a small compartment where the priest hears the confessed sins of a sinner.... Lee mas

In Catholicism, a ceremony performed by a bishop that is supposed to strengthen a person and enable him to resist sin. It is usually done at the age of 12. The Bishop dips his right thumb in holy oil and anoints the person on the forehead by making the sign of the cross and says, "Be sealed with the... Lee mas

A gathering of people, usually of believers, in a common religious faith.... Lee mas

It means an inclusion of one substance in another where the body and blood of Christ co-exist in the elements of the Supper. It suggests that a third substance is formed. The body and blood of Christ are "in, with, and under" the elements. There is no permanent relationship with the elements. Instea... Lee mas

In Catholicism, extreme sorrow for having sinned with a deep repentance concerning that sin.... Lee mas

Turning from evil to God. God converts (Acts 21:19) the unsaved into the saved, from the unregenerate to the regenerate. It is produced through the preaching of the gospel (Rom. 10:14; 1 Cor. 15:1-4) and results in repentance (Acts 26:20) and a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). The fruits of conversion ar... Lee mas

The work of the Holy Spirit where a person is able to see himself as God sees him: guilty, defiled, and totally unable to save himself (John 16:8). Conviction of the Holy Spirit of an unbeliever reveals sinfulness and guilt and brings fear. Conviction of the Holy Spirit of the believer brings an awa... Lee mas

The Afro-Asiatic language of the Copts, which survives only as a liturgical language of the Coptic Church.... Lee mas

An offering dedicated to God. It is referenced in Mark 7:11 and is alluded to in Lev. 1:2.... Lee mas

An attempt to prove that God exists by appealing to the principle that all things have causes. There cannot be an infinite regress of causes, therefore, there must be an uncaused cause: God.... Lee mas

The study of the origin and structure of the universe.... Lee mas

An agreement between two parties. The agreement, according to Ancient Near East custom, consists of five parts: 1) Identification of parties, 2) Historical prologue where the deeds establishing the worthiness of the dominant party is established, 3) Conditions of the agreement, 4) Rewards and punish... Lee mas