Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:The term "assure" in the biblical context generally refers to the act of making certain or giving confidence. It involves providing a guarantee or confirmation of truth, often related to faith, salvation, or God's promises. Assurance is a key theme in the Christian faith, offering believers confidence in their relationship with God and the fulfillment of His promises.
Biblical Usage:While the specific word "assure" may not frequently appear in some translations of the Bible, the concept is prevalent throughout Scripture. Assurance is often linked to faith, hope, and the certainty of God's promises.
Key Scriptures:1.
Hebrews 10:22 : "let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
· This verse emphasizes the confidence believers can have in approaching God, grounded in faith and the cleansing work of Christ.
2.
1John 5:13 : "I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."
· Assurance of eternal life is a central promise for those who believe in Jesus Christ, providing certainty and peace.
3.
Romans 8:38-39 : "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
· This passage offers assurance of God's unbreakable love, affirming that nothing can separate believers from Him.
Theological Significance:Assurance is a vital aspect of Christian doctrine, particularly in the context of salvation and the believer's relationship with God. It is rooted in the trustworthiness of God's character and His promises as revealed in Scripture. Assurance is not based on human merit but on the finished work of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Practical Implications:For believers, assurance provides peace and confidence in their spiritual journey. It encourages a life of faithfulness and obedience, knowing that God's promises are reliable. Assurance also empowers Christians to face trials and uncertainties with hope, trusting in God's sovereign plan.
Historical Context:Throughout church history, the doctrine of assurance has been a topic of significant theological discussion. The Protestant Reformation emphasized assurance as a key tenet, contrasting with views that placed assurance in human works or ecclesiastical authority. Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin highlighted assurance as a result of faith in Christ alone.
Conclusion:The concept of assurance in the Bible is foundational for understanding the security and confidence believers have in their relationship with God. It is a testament to the faithfulness of God and the certainty of His promises, providing a solid foundation for Christian living.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To make sure or certain; to render confident by a promise, declaration, or other evidence.
2. (v. t.) To declare to, solemnly; to assert to (any one) with the design of inspiring belief or confidence.
3. (v. t.) To confirm; to make certain or secure.
4. (v. t.) To affiance; to betroth.
5. (v. t.) To insure; to covenant to indemnify for loss, or to pay a specified sum at death. See Insure.
Greek
4104. pistoo -- to make trustworthy, hence to establish...assure. From pistos; to
assure --
assure of. see GREEK pistos. (epistothes) --
1 Occurrence. 4103, 4104. pistoo. 4105 . Strong's Numbers.
3982. peitho -- to persuade, to have confidence
... verb Definition to persuade, to have confidence NASB Word Usageassure (1), confident
(3), convinced (7), followed (2), have confidence (2), having confidence...
4135. plerophoreo -- to bring in full measure, to fulfill
... From pleres and phoreo; to carry out fully (in evidence), ie Completelyassure
(or convince), entirely accomplish -- most surely believe, fully know (persuade...
2964. kuroo -- to make valid
... Verb Transliteration: kuroo Phonetic Spelling: (koo-ro'-o) Short Definition: I ratify,
confirm Definition: I ratify, confirm, make valid, reaffirm,assure....
1018. brabeuo -- to act as umpire
... of this term in classical Greek, as with Isocrates and Demosthenes, etc.);
(figuratively) the peace (wholeness) from Christ that He uses toassure (confirm)...
2400. idou -- look, behold
... Word Origin from eidon, used as a demonstrative particle Definition look, behold
NASB Word Usageassure (1), behold (145), here (3), lo (1), long (1), look (8...
Library
Do the Catholics or the Arians Take the Better Course toAssure...
... Book II. Chapter XII. Do the Catholics or the Arians take the better course
toassure themselves of the? Do the Catholics or the...
Business Phrases
... In any event, a reply to this will be very much appreciated. In closing we can only
assure you. In compliance with your favor.... In conclusion, we canassure you....
Gottlieb Shober.
... to none will it effect conviction of the necessity of spiritual regeneration and
of adopting Him as their God and Savior crucified." "I mustassure you that...
1 John iii. 19-4. 3
... Homily VI. 1 John III. 19-4. 3. 1 John 3:19-4.3 "And herein we know that
we are of the truth, andassure our hearts before Him. For...
A Startling Statement
... Science cannot, for example,assure him of a long life, even though he
scrupulously obey hygienic laws. But it canassure him of...
The Collection for St Paul: the Farewell
... converts. And so he willassure them that no spiritual "sufficiency" can
blunt the sense of their generous kindness. Ver.14. +Yet...
The Princesses of the Comneni
... Constantine XI."Ducas"was as intensely partisan as Anna; and when he found his end
approaching, he wished above all things toassure the elevation of his...
Answer to Mr. W's Fourth Objection.
... They have been long enough dead, toassure us of a miracle, if they are raised,
who have been so long dead, that their nearest and most affectionate friends...
New Haven Orthodox Creed.
... "I do not believe that we are authorized toassure the sinner, as Arminians do,
and some others also, that the Holy Spirit is always ready to convert him....
Another Shorter Evening Prayer.
... the fiery serpents of my sins have stung and poisoned my sick and wounded soul;
and give me, I beseech thee, thine Holy Spirit, which mayassure me of mine...
Thesaurus
Assure (5 Occurrences)... See Insure. Multi-Version Concordance
Assure (5 Occurrences).
... (WEY). 2 Corinthians
2:8 Wherefore I exhort you to
assure him of your love. (DBY).
...Assured (28 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) ofAssure. 2. (a.) Made sure; safe;
insured; certain; indubitable; not doubting; bold to excess....
Names (133 Occurrences)
... The name of the last king of Judah was most expressively changed by Nebuchadnezzar
from Mattaniah to Zedekiah, toassure his fidelity to his overlord who made...
Greatly (297 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:20 For Iassure you that unless your righteousness greatly surpasses that
of the Scribes and the Pharisees, you will certainly not find entrance into...
Guarantee (5 Occurrences)
... undertake to secure (a possession, right, claim, etc.) to another against a specified
contingency; to give a guarantee concerning; to engage,assure, or secure...
Revoked (5 Occurrences)
... alive amongst the living: for the vision is touching the whole multitude thereof;
it shall not be revoked; and none shall through his iniquityassure his life....
Resolve (3 Occurrences)
... a riddle. 3. (vi) To cause to perceive or understand; to acquaint; to inform;
to convince; toassure; to make certain. 4. (vi) To...
Reassure (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) Toassure anew; to restore confidence to; to free
from fear or terror. 2. (vt) To reinsure. Multi-Version Concordance...
Rezin (11 Occurrences)
... 5 Isaiah 7:1). It was to calm the fears, and to restore the fainting spirits of
the men of Judah, that Isaiah was commissioned by the Lord toassure them that...
Entrance (190 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:20 For Iassure you that unless your righteousness greatly surpasses that
of the Scribes and the Pharisees, you will certainly not find entrance into...
Resources
Why is the idea of eternal damnation so repulsive to many people? | GotQuestions.orgCan keeping the Five Pillars of Islam get me to heaven? | GotQuestions.orgDoes praying Scripture have greater effectiveness than other prayers? | GotQuestions.orgAssure: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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