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Glossary

Apostle: An exclusive ecclesiastical role historically held by very few; literally "one sent," but for a particular purpose: to deliver a message. In the New Testament this refers to a special envoy or messenger of the gospel; a special messenger from God (Luke 11:49; Revelation 18:20); more specifically the original 12 (Peter, John, Andrew, etc.) plus Paul, Barnabas and a few others. Jesus Christ is called the Apostle (Hebrews 3:1).

Gospel: The good news of God's everlasting kingdom to be established on earth after Christ's return and how we may be a part of that kingdom. This message was central to the teaching of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The term is used about 100 times in the New Testament.

Knowledge: The broad range of information held by a person; an attribute of God (Romans 11:33); what we need to know about God (Hosea 4:6).

Latter Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel; called "latter" to distinguish these three and their respective books from the books of the "former" prophets: Samuel and Kings.

Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel; called "major" to distinguish these three and their respective books from the 12 "minor" prophets. Major is used in the sense of longer books and minor in the sense of shorter.

Pentateuch: The Greek term for the first five books of the Bible, the five books of Moses (penta means "five"). This term came into use when the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament) began to be translated into Greek about 300 B.C.

Recorder: An enumerator, secretary or archivist; the king's official secretary (2 Samuel 8:16). In the ancient world a recorder was a member of a professional class of literate men who were trained for official service in royal administration.

Revelation: The disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25).

Scribe: A copyist of official manuscripts (notably the Hebrew Bible); an archivist or keeper of records; a member of a professional class of secretaries who transcribed legal documents and who were experts in the study of the law (or Torah). Ezra was a skilled scribe (Ezra 7:6). Jesus commended the profession itself (Matthew 13:52) but often took exception to the way the scribes used their office and influence, frequently misinterpreting the Scriptures.

Torah: A Hebrew expression that refers specifically to "the law," meaning the five books of Moses. In a much broader sense it means spiritual instruction or teaching.

Understanding: The quality of having insight or good judgment in general matters; an insightful power of abstract thought; the ability to logically follow through or trace a line of thought.

Wisdom: Having experience, knowledge and understanding together with the power of applying all three with prudence, practicality, discretion and common sense; the heart and center of proper moral and intellectual judgment; an attribute that God imparts to His people (Matthew 12:42) as they study His Word; personified in the book of Proverbs.