Topical Encyclopedia
The term "exclusive" in a biblical context often refers to the unique and singular nature of God, His covenant relationship with His people, and the call for believers to live set apart from the world. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing God's holiness, the distinctiveness of His people, and the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ.
God's Exclusive NatureThe Bible consistently affirms the exclusivity of God as the one true God. In
Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema declares, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." This foundational statement underscores the monotheistic belief central to the faith of Israel. The exclusivity of God is further highlighted in
Isaiah 45:5, where God proclaims, "I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me."
Exclusive Covenant RelationshipGod's relationship with Israel is marked by exclusivity. He chose Israel as His special possession, setting them apart from other nations. In
Exodus 19:5-6, God tells the Israelites, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." This covenant relationship required Israel to worship God alone and to follow His commandments, distinguishing them from surrounding peoples.
Exclusive WorshipThe exclusivity of worship is a recurring theme in Scripture. The first of the Ten Commandments, found in
Exodus 20:3, states, "You shall have no other gods before Me." This commandment establishes the requirement for exclusive devotion to God, rejecting idolatry and the worship of false gods. The call to exclusive worship is reiterated in the New Testament, where Jesus affirms the greatest commandment in
Matthew 22:37: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
Exclusive Salvation through ChristThe New Testament reveals the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ. In
John 14:6, Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." This statement emphasizes that salvation is found solely in Christ, excluding all other paths to God. The apostle Peter echoes this in
Acts 4:12, stating, "Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Exclusive Call to HolinessBelievers are called to live exclusive lives, set apart for God. In
1 Peter 2:9, Christians are described as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." This call to holiness requires believers to reject worldly values and live in accordance with God's standards, reflecting His character in their lives.
Exclusive Community of BelieversThe church, as the body of Christ, is an exclusive community of believers united by faith in Jesus. This community is distinct from the world, characterized by love, unity, and obedience to Christ's teachings. In
Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul writes, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
The concept of exclusivity in the Bible underscores the unique nature of God, the distinctiveness of His people, and the singular path to salvation through Jesus Christ. It calls believers to a life of holiness, devotion, and community, set apart for the purposes of God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Having the power of preventing entrance; debarring from participation or enjoyment; possessed and enjoyed to the exclusion of others; as, exclusive bars; exclusive privilege; exclusive circles of society.
2. (a.) Not taking into the account; excluding from consideration; -- opposed to inclusive; as, five thousand troops, exclusive of artillery.
3. (n.) One of a coterie who exclude others; one who from real of affected fastidiousness limits his acquaintance to a select few.
Strong's Hebrew
4480. min -- from... 1), concerning (1), concerning* (1), course* (2), devoid (2), dictated* (1), distance*
(3), doing* (2), due (4), either (2), ever (1),
exclusive (1), facing (2
...Library
Whether anExclusive Diction Can be Joined to the Personal Term?
... OF WHAT BELONGS TO THE UNITY OR PLURALITY IN GOD (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
anexclusive diction can be joined to the personal term?...
Whether theExclusive Word "Alone" Should be Added to the...
... OF WHAT BELONGS TO THE UNITY OR PLURALITY IN GOD (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether theexclusive
word "alone" should be added to the essential term in God?...
Of God and hisExclusive Eternity.
... Chapter 2."Of God and HisExclusive Eternity. 2. For certain parties have
attempted to gain acceptance for the opinion that God...
An Argument for theExclusive Worship of this God, Who, While He...
... the harmony of the gospels.Book I. Chapter XXI."An Argument for theExclusive Worship
of This God, Who, While He Prohibits Other Deities from Being Worshipped...
God Distinguished from Idols, that He May be theExclusive Object...
... GOD DISTINGUISHED FROM IDOLS, THAT HE MAY BE THEEXCLUSIVE OBJECT OF WORSHIP. GOD
DISTINGUISHED FROM IDOLS, THAT HE MAY BE THEEXCLUSIVE OBJECT OF WORSHIP....
To have True Existence is anExclusive Prerogative of God.
... Concerning the Nature of Good, Against the Manich??ans. Chapter 19. "To
Have True Existence is anExclusive Prerogative of God....
The Synod of Jerusalem, and the Compromise Between Jewish and...
... These antithetic elements are not of necessity mutuallyexclusive. They are mutually
complemental, and for perfect life they must co-exist and co-operate....
The Form of Concord. AD 1577.
... (This is the most elaborate defense of the 'Form of Concord' called forth by
Hospinian's Conc. discors, and covers 1460 pp.,exclusive of Proleg.)....
Antecedents of Permanent Christian Colonization --The...
... mighty nations to subject the New World to a single hierarchy, had also provided
that no one form or organization of Christianity should beexclusive or even...
The Communion of Saints.
... faint reflection of reality. In such a circle, however good, devout, and
holy, the hearts becomeexclusive. Compared to the great...
Thesaurus
Exclusive (1 Occurrence)... the power of preventing entrance; debarring from participation or enjoyment; possessed
and enjoyed to the exclusion of others; as,
exclusive bars;
exclusive...Keys (2 Occurrences)
... recognized, by Catholic and Protestant, that on the interpretation of this passage
depends the authority of the Church of Rome and itsexclusive claims, so far...
Jealousy (54 Occurrences)
... The language is, of course, anthropomorphic; and it is based upon the feeling
in a husband ofexclusive right in his wife. God is...
Illyricum (1 Occurrence)
... spoken of? 1. Force of "even unto": In Greek, as in English, the preposition
"unto" may either beexclusive or inclusive. In other...
Alone (232 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Quite by one's self; apart from, orexclusive of, others; single; solitary; --
applied to a person or thing.... 3. (a.) Sole; only;exclusive....
Power (862 Occurrences)
... recognized, by Catholic and Protestant, that on the interpretation of this passage
depends the authority of the Church of Rome and itsexclusive claims, so far...
Empire (8 Occurrences)
... It is the account of the triumphant march of democracy and popular government against
anexclusive governing caste.... Theexclusive Roman ideas are on the wane....
Zerubbabel (25 Occurrences)
... In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, he led the first band of Jews, numbering
42,360 (Ezra 2:64),exclusive of a large number of servants, who returned...
Ownership (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state of being an owner; the right to own;exclusive
right of possession; legal or just claim or title; proprietorship....
Own (5782 Occurrences)
... pronoun, as my, our, thy, your, his, her, its, their, in order to emphasize or
intensify the idea of property, peculiar interest, orexclusive ownership; as...
Resources
What is exclusive psalmody? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian be a member of a secret society? | GotQuestions.orgIs the Church of Christ a good biblical church? | GotQuestions.orgExclusive: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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