G is for Golgotha

Golgotha

Κρανιον

“And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.” (Luke 23:33, NKJV)

The Greek word Golgotha and the Aramaic word Gulgalta mean “the skull.” This term or word is found in three (3) places in the New Testament, Matthew 27:23; Mark 15:22; and John 19:17. It is interpreted as kraniou topos, or “the place of a skull.” In Luke 23:33 it is called “Calvary” which comes from the Latin Vulgate, calvaria, which means “skull.”

From what little information that we have from the New Testament this place seems to outside of the city of Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:12.) It was close enough to the city to be visible from some parts of the city. Although we are not told this is why it is referenced as a “hill.”

Why is it called “the place of a skull, or “the skull?”  There seems to be at least three (3) reasons for this name.

Locality of Skulls

Some have suggested it was named this because it was a place where “skulls” were found lying around. This may have been because it was thought to be a place of execution.

Likeness of Skulls

The second reason may have been because of the “skull-like” shape of a hillside. First of all it is important to note that none of the early church fathers suggested this reason. Secondly, the New Testament does not suggest that the crucifixion took place on a hill or hillside.

Legend of Skulls

The third reason seems to be a little far-fetched, but it has been bantered around from the time of Origen, (ca. 185-254) It seems there was a legend that the skull of Adam had been found in that location. This is the oldest reason that has been given for the name.

The New Testament sheds absolutely no light on the location of Calvary  or the burial tomb of Jesus. However, a “traditional” site has been advanced and is known as “Gordon’s Calvary. If one looks close enough at a photograph one can “see” the shape of a human skull in the rocky hillside. It must be stated that the “eye holes” and the rounded top are not natural. They are the result of ancient excavations. Which brings us back to where many have started. We are not sure where the crucifixion and burial took place. Praise be to the living God we don’t need to know the exact spot. We rejoice in the fact that the inspired text tells that that Jesus Christ was brutally slaughtered outside of the city of Jerusalem as the means of satisfying the wrath and judgment of His father against sin.

F is for Frankincense

Frankincense

Λιβανος

“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11, NKJV)

Frankincense is a substance or ingredient that is referenced in Exodus 30:34, Leviticus 2:1, Nehemiah 13:5, 9, and Isaiah 66:3. The Hebrew term comes from a root meaning “whiteness.” This refers to the white, “milky” color of the fresh juice. Our English word comes from an old French word franc encens, which translated means “pure incense.”

Frankincense comes from trees which grow in southern Arabia, India, and a few other places. These trees are related to terebinth trees and the shrubs from which balsam and myrrh comes from. The gum is removed by making incisions in the bark. The trees start producing resin when they are about 8 to 10 years old. Tapping is done 2 to 3 times a year Frankincense is bitter to the taste and has a very strong balsamic odor when it is heated.

Frankincense was considered very valuable in Egypt and was used for both fumigation and embalming. It was used in some ceremonies including burial ceremonies by the ancient Hebrews. They probably picked this up when they lived in Egypt prior to the exodus.

Frankincense is used in perfumery and aromatherapy. Frankincense essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the dry resin. Some of the smell of the frankincense smoke is due to the products of pyrolysis. The magi, whom we don’t know how many there were, nor from where they came, (other than the east)  nor what their names were gave frankincense to the young child Jesus in the house when Jesus was about two (2), (not while in the manager.) Please don't take your theology from Christmas cards.

E is for Eve

Eve

khav-vaw’

Eve was named by her husband, Adam. The root of this word is “life” or “living.” Adam gave Eve this name because she would become the mother of all the living.

“And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.” (Genesis 3:20, NKJV)

The Hebrew word for Eve, hawa, is very similar to the word we translate as “living.” The LXX (The 70), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament translates her name as Zoe, or “life.”

It is interesting to note that this is Eve’s third name. Her first name was given to her by God. God used the same name for her as He did for Adam, which was adam- meaning man or mankind. When God presented her to Adam, Adam called her “woman, “issa” to indicate that she was taken from man, made of the same bone and flesh. This indicated that she was able to be his partner and she could become one flesh with Adam. Of course the name “Eve” was given to her by Adam after the fall.

Eve was created by God because God determined that it was not good for Adam to be alone or by himself. (Genesis 2:18, 20) God made “a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18, 20) The word that is used to translate suitable is a compound preposition that means “corresponding to” or “opposite” him. This word actually expresses the complementary nature of a person equal to him and able to respond to him. The uniqueness of the husband and wife relationship is found in the fact that this compound preposition is not used anywhere else in the Old Testament. The closest example of something remotely similar is the description of antiphonal choirs that stand opposite of each other and respond to each other. (Nehemiah 12:24)

We are to painfully aware that this perfect relationship did not last long. As a matter of fact, although we have no way of knowing, it seems Adam and Eve did not remain in the Garden of Eden for very long. Quite possiblly they only lasted a few days. Eve gave into the temptation of the Serpent and ate some of the forbidden fruit. She then gave the fruit to her husband who willing ate it.

The result of this disobedience gave sin an entrance into this world. The serpent was cursed, women would forever experience pain in childbirth, Eve was no longer “equal” to her husband, but wast placed in a “submissive role” creating an on-going “struggle for power,” Adam was placed under a curse, and the earth itself was cursed. Death was the penalty for sin. Adam and Eve died spiritually the instant they sinned. They and all of mankind are now subject to spiritual and physical death.

Although some want to make mockery of or deny the creation account of both Adam and Eve, the New Testament accepted this account as accurate and inspired. Paul referenced Eve as a warning to the church in Corinth about the danger of being seduced by corrupted thinking. (II Corinthians 11:3) Paul gave reasons to Timothy and the church at Ephesus why women were not to be “teachers” over men. (I Timothy 2:13)

Eve bore a number of children to Adam. Among those children that have been recorded for us are Cain, Abel, and Seth. We know Eve had several daughters although Hebrew custom did not record their names or number for us. Adam lived for nine hundred and thirty (930) years. No doubt a spectacular number of children were born during this period. These daughters (prior to any incest regulations) were the wives of Cain, Seth, and the additional offspring. Unfortunately we do not know how long Eve lived nor any circumstances of her life or death.

D is for Dorcas

Dorcas

Δορκας

Dorcas is the Greek name of a Christian woman who lived in Joppa. Her name in Aramaic was Tabitha, which means “gazelle.” The Greek word for “gazelle” is Dorcas.

“At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.” (Acts 9:36, KJV)

Dorcas is thought to have had the means or the wherewithal to be a leading figure in the Christian community of her day. Dorcas was loved very much because of how she used her “wealth” and position. She did many good works and she performed many acts of “charity” or love.

Dorcas made clothing and gave them to the poor and needy. As a result of her generosity and industry many churches today continue her “work” in what are known as “Dorcas Societies.”

Dorcas, and her loving sacrificial service may have gone unnoticed beyond her generation accept for the fact that one day she took sick. As a matter of fact her sickness resulted in her death. She had been “washed” and “laid” out for viewing and mourning prior to her burial.

Some of her friends heard that the Apostle Peter was in Lydda. They probably had heard how Peter healed Aeneas. Peter was sent for and asked to come to Joppa. We don’t know why they sent for Peter or what they had actually expected him to do. We do know that two men traveled to Lydda and escorted Peter back to Joppa.

Upon arriving in Joppa and at the house of Dorcas, Peter was shown samples of the clothing that Dorcas made prior to her death. Peter saw many of the women who were present and mourning Dorcas’ death.

The inspired account tells us that Peter sent everyone out the room. He then knelt down and prayed. We are told that Peter turned to her body and said, “Tabitha, arise.” (Acts 9:40, NKJV) It is probable that Peter had grown up speaking both Aramaic and Greek. For reasons unknown to us he called Dorcas by her Aramaic name. Regardless, she “heard” his command to arise; she opened her eyes, looked at Peter, and then sat up.

Can we stop for a moment? I wonder what she thought. The Jews believed that the soul hovered over or around the body for approximately three (3) days after a person died. Scripture of course does not support this; the bible says, “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” (II Corinthians 5:8, NKJV) A believer is translated immediately in the presence of the Lord (in heaven) upon his or her death. Other than a few exceptions no one returned from death. I wonder if Dorcas would have preferred to have remained in the presence of her Lord?

Regardless, of my curios speculation she was restored to life. As a result of this miracle, many people believed in the Lord.

C is for Claudius

Claudius 

Tiberius Claudius Nero Germanicus was the fourth (4^th) Emperor of Rome. Claudius ruled Rome for thirteen (13) years; A. D. 41-54. Claudius was born 1 August 10 BC and died 13 October A.D. 54. He was a descendant of the Claudian dynasty. He was born in Gaul which made him up to that point the first emperor of Rome born outside of Italy.

Claudius suffered from a limp, deafness, and a speech impediment. His family, as proud Romans was ashamed of him and kept him from public sight. They excluded him from public offices until he undertook his role in the consulship. Even then he had to share this office with his nephew, Caligula. His handicaps probably saved his life. His family enemies did not consider him a threat to the Roman emperorship.

Claudius was made Emperor in A. D. 41 when his nephew Caligula was assassinated. The Praetorian Guard declared him Emperor since he was the last male of this family line. In reality he was probably chosen because the leadership of the guard thought they could control him due to his handicaps.

Claudius was ambitious and a great builder. He built new roads, aqueducts, and canals. He conquered Great Britain. He was very active and visible in the courts of his day.

Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome because the Jews were accused of causing continuous disturbances at the instigation of someone called Chrestus. Some think this is a Latin reference to Christ (Jesus.) Even though his policies allowed his subjects to worship freely, he opposed proselytizing by any “religion.” This expulsion of course was what caused Aquila and Priscilla to leave Rome and take up residence in Corinth in A. D. 49. It was at Corinth they met the Apostle Paul and eventually hosted a church in their home.

The opinion of most historians is that Claudius was murdered by poison. He died in the early hours on 13 October A. D. 54. It is thought that his wife, Agrippina, the mother of Nero, was the instigator of his death. Halotus, his food taster or Xenophon, his doctor are thought to have given Claudius the poison. It seems Claudius was on the outs with his wife Agrippina. As she was taking steps to ensure her son, Nero succeeded Claudius; he seemed to be taking steps to establishing his son Britannicus (from a previous marriage) as a successor.

B is for Bethany

Bethany

βηθανια

Bethany was a small village approximately two (2) miles from Jerusalem. Bethany was situated on the southeast slope of the Mount of Olives on what is known as the Jericho Road. Its meaning is not certain. It means either “house of dates” or “house of misery.”

Bethany was the home of Simon the Leper (Mark 14:3) and Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11:18.) Jesus usually spent the night in Bethany when He traveled to Jerusalem (Matthew 21:17; Mark 11:11) The New Testament records for us the fact that Jesus was received into and entertained in the home of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42.)

It was at Bethany that Jesus performed the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. While dining in the home of Simon the Leper Jesus was anointed with costly oil by Mary (Matthew 26:6-13.)

The ascension of Jesus into heaven is usually located at or near Bethany based on Luke 24:50:

“Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, He blessed them.”

Acts 1:6-12 seems to suggest the ascension took place on the Mount of Olives.  Of course geographically this could possibly include Bethany.  It is possible that the traditional site of the Mount of Olives is the correct location.

Today, Bethany is called el-Azariyeh. This is a corrupted version of “Lazarus.” Tourists are shown a tomb that is thought to be where Lazarus had been buried and from where Jesus called him out of the dead. Tourists are shown a “ruin” that is supposedly the very house of Mary and Martha.

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The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ed. G. W. Bromiley, p. 463

A is for Amen!

AMEN

Amen is a Hebrew adjective that originally meant “reliable, sure, true.” When it is used as an adjectival verb it meant, “It is reliable or true.” Another Hebrew verb, aman means to “support, sustain.”

When this word was used alone it was used to indicate a meaning of “surely!” or “in the very truth!”  For example, when it was used after the phrase “Blessed be Yahweh forever” it means “Yes indeed!” or “May it be so in very truth.” (Psalms 41:13; 72:19, 89:52; 106:48, I Chronicles 16:36, Nehemiah 8:6)

When amen is used in the New Testament it usually is used as a liturgical formula at the end of a doxology. It seems from I Corinthians 14:16 that in the early church the congregation was expected to respond with a spoken “amen.”

Those who pray or listen as another prays and at the end says, amen, put themselves into the statement of what was said or asked with all earnestness of faith and intensity of desire. Our word is often used to show strong agreement and/or sympathy with the one who is speaking or asking.

Jesus seems to have given this word a slightly different meaning when he uses it in the Gospels. When Jesus used this word, He used it to mean “surely” or “truly.” All four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) show this word to be an introductory formula. For example:

“amen lego hymin” “truly, I say to you” which serves to emphasize the authority of what He is about to say. This phraseology is peculiar to Jesus in the New Testament and probably reflects His divine self-consciousness. Jesus does not have to wait until after he has spoken to ratify what is said; all that Jesus said had the mark of absolute and certain truth.

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Bibliography. Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 2nd Ed, p. 51

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ed. G. W. Bromiley, p. 110