Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "approaches" can refer to the various ways in which individuals or groups come near to God, seek His presence, or engage with His divine will. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, illustrating the relationship between humanity and the divine.
Approaches to God in the Old Testament1.
Sacrificial System: The Old Testament outlines a detailed sacrificial system as a primary means of approaching God.
Leviticus 1:3-4 states, "If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer an unblemished male. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, that he may be accepted by the LORD. He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so that it may be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him." This system was central to the Israelites' worship and their approach to God, emphasizing the need for atonement and purity.
2.
The Tabernacle and Temple: The Tabernacle, and later the Temple, served as the physical dwelling place of God's presence among His people. Approaching God involved entering these sacred spaces, as seen in
Exodus 25:8 , "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them." The high priest's annual entrance into the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was a significant approach to God, symbolizing the mediation between God and Israel.
3.
Prayer and Worship: Throughout the Old Testament, prayer and worship are vital approaches to God. The Psalms, for instance, are filled with expressions of seeking God's presence.
Psalm 145:18 declares, "The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth."
Approaches to God in the New Testament1.
Through Jesus Christ: The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate means of approaching God.
Hebrews 4:16 encourages believers, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection opened a new and living way to God, as emphasized in
Hebrews 10:19-22 .
2.
Faith and Repentance: Approaching God in the New Testament is closely linked with faith and repentance.
Acts 3:19 urges, "Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away." Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation for a relationship with God, as seen in
John 14:6 , where Jesus states, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
3.
Prayer and the Holy Spirit: Prayer remains a crucial approach to God, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:26 explains, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words."
Approaches in Christian Life1.
Worship and Community: Corporate worship and fellowship with other believers are vital approaches to God.
Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers not to forsake assembling together, highlighting the importance of community in approaching God.
2.
Scripture and Obedience: Engaging with Scripture and living in obedience to God's commands are essential approaches.
James 1:22 advises, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves."
3.
Sacraments and Ordinances: In many Christian traditions, sacraments such as baptism and the Lord's Supper are seen as means of grace and approaches to God, symbolizing and enacting the believer's relationship with Him.
In summary, the concept of "approaches" in the Bible encompasses a rich tapestry of practices and beliefs that illustrate humanity's desire to draw near to God, both in the Old and New Testaments, and continues to be a foundational aspect of Christian life and worship.
Strong's Hebrew
6437. panah -- to turn... root Definition to turn NASB Word Usage
approaches (1), clear (3), cleared (1),
cleared away (1), considered (1), dawn* (1), dawns (1), declined (1), declines
...7126. qarab -- to come near, approach
... Definition to come near, approach NASB Word Usage accept (1), appear (1), approach
(11), approach to offer (1), approached (9),approaches (3), approaching (2...
Library
Of Plato, Whose DoctrineApproaches More Nearly to the Truth.
... The Epitome of the Divine Institutes. Addressed to His Brother Pentadius. Chap.
XXXVIII."Of Plato, Whose DoctrineApproaches More Nearly to the Truth....
"Nothing is Impossible to Industry, "Said one of the Seven Sages...
... The case of the Syrophenician woman is a parable in action. She is arrested in her
approaches to Christ by the information that He will not see anyone....
The Geometry of Prayer
... All ourapproaches to God, in prayer and in praise, must be made in those forms
of thought and of speech, in those ideas and conceptions, that are possible to...
Of Perfect Conversion, which is an Effect of this Method of Prayer...
... The longer it is converted, the nearer itapproaches to God, and attaches itself
to Him; and the nearer itapproaches to God, the more it becomes necessarily...
Divine Fellowship
... His heart; my heart; Hisapproaches to me by the power and influence of His Holy
Spirit; myapproaches to Him. Jesus died; I believed. He called; I answered....
For, Whereas that Natural Use, when it Pass Beyond the Compact of...
... Hence is it also that he sins far less, who is ever so unceasing inapproaches to
his wife, than he whoapproaches ever so seldom to commit fornication....
Of Conversion
... turned to God a wonderful facility is found in continuing steadfast in conversion;
and the longer it remains thus converted, the nearer itapproaches, and the...
Petilianus Said: "If You Suppose that You Can Offer Sacrifice...
... Augustin answered: We say that in the case of every man the sacrifice that is offered
partakes of the character of him whoapproaches to offer it, or...
Whether Venial Sin is Fittingly Condivided with Mortal Sin?
... Objection 4: Further, whoeverapproaches one term, from that very fact
turns away from the opposite. Now whoever sins,approaches...
Whether Insincerity Hinders the Effect of Baptism?
... Now whoeverapproaches Baptism, by that very fact makes a show of having right faith
in Christ, of veneration for this sacrament, and of wishing to conform to...
Thesaurus
Approaches (8 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Approaches (8 Occurrences). Luke 12:33 Sell that
which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for
...Approach (56 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To draw near, in a figurative sense; to make advances; to approximate;
as, heapproaches to the character of the ablest statesman....
Needy (83 Occurrences)
... Make for yourselves purses which don't grow old, a treasure in the heavens that
doesn't fail, where no thiefapproaches, neither moth destroys. (WEB)....
Limit (115 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A determinate quantity, to which a variable one continuallyapproaches,
and may differ from it by less than any given difference, but to which, under...
Groin (4 Occurrences)
... inguen. 4. (n.) The projecting solid angle formed by the meeting of two
vaults, growing more obtuse as itapproaches the summit. 5...
Grow (139 Occurrences)
... Make for yourselves purses which don't grow old, a treasure in the heavens that
doesn't fail, where no thiefapproaches, neither moth destroys. (WEB DBY RSV)....
Wool (34 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The soft and curled, or crisped, species of hair which grows on sheep and
some other animals, and which in fineness sometimesapproaches to fur...
Ward (27 Occurrences)
... 16. (n.) To fend off; to repel; to turn aside, as anything mischievous thatapproaches;
-- usually followed by off. 17. (vi) To be vigilant; to keep guard. 18....
In (142459 Occurrences)
... In its different applications, itapproaches some of the meanings of, and sometimes
is interchangeable with, within, into, on, at, of, and among....
Foreknowledge (2 Occurrences)
... and American) to translate the Greek words proginoskein and prognosis in the New
Testament, in which instances the word "fore-knowledge"approaches closely the...
Resources
What is the difference between exegesis and eisegesis? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a prolegomena? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the kalam cosmological argument for the existence of God? | GotQuestions.orgApproaches: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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