Topical Encyclopedia
An "inquirer" in the biblical context refers to an individual who seeks knowledge, understanding, or guidance, particularly in matters of faith and spiritual truth. The act of inquiring is often associated with a sincere desire to know God and His will, as well as to understand His Word and commandments.
Biblical Examples of Inquirers1.
Solomon: King Solomon is a notable example of an inquirer. When God appeared to him in a dream and offered to grant him whatever he desired, Solomon asked for wisdom to govern the people of Israel. His request pleased God, who granted him unparalleled wisdom. This is recorded in
1 Kings 3:9-12 : "So give Your servant a discerning heart to judge Your people and to distinguish between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?"
2.
The Bereans: The Bereans are commended in the New Testament for their diligent inquiry into the Scriptures.
Acts 17:11 states, "Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true." Their example highlights the importance of verifying teachings against the Word of God.
3.
Nicodemus: A Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council, Nicodemus came to Jesus by night to inquire about His teachings. His conversation with Jesus is recorded in
John 3, where he seeks to understand the concept of being "born again." Jesus explains to him the necessity of spiritual rebirth, saying in
John 3:3 , "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
The Role of Inquiry in FaithInquiry is a vital component of faith, as it reflects a heart that is open to learning and growing in understanding.
Proverbs 2:3-5 encourages believers to seek wisdom and understanding: "if you indeed call out for insight and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God."
God's Response to InquirersThe Bible assures that God responds to those who earnestly seek Him.
Jeremiah 29:13 promises, "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." This verse underscores the assurance that God is accessible to those who genuinely desire to know Him.
The Importance of DiscernmentWhile inquiry is encouraged, the Bible also warns of the need for discernment. 1
John 4:1 advises, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This highlights the necessity of distinguishing between truth and falsehood in spiritual matters.
ConclusionThe concept of the inquirer in the Bible is closely tied to the pursuit of wisdom, truth, and a deeper relationship with God. Through examples like Solomon, the Bereans, and Nicodemus, Scripture illustrates the value of seeking understanding and the promise that God will reveal Himself to those who earnestly seek Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) One who inquires or examines; questioner; investigator.
Strong's Hebrew
1114. Bilshan -- perhaps "inquirer," an Israelite... 1113, 1114. Bilshan. 1115 . perhaps "
inquirer," an Israelite. Transliteration:
Bilshan Phonetic Spelling: (bil-shawn') Short Definition: Bilshan.
...1875. darash -- to resort to, seek
... 1), care (1), cares (3), comes the reckoning (1), consult (2), consulted by them
at all (1), demand (1), inquire (33), inquired (5),inquirer (1), investigate...
Library
The RichInquirer
... Mark CHAPTER 10:17-22 THE RICHINQUIRER.... Again, we observe that what thisinquirer
seeks he very earnestly believes Jesus to have attained....
Sanctification.
... In this answer it is not supposed, that theinquirer already has faith; but that
he is in a state of unbelief, and is inquiring after converting grace....
Of Porphyry's Epistle to Anebo, in which He Asks for Information...
... It was a better tone which Porphyry adopted in his letter to Anebo the Egyptian,
in which, assuming the character of aninquirer consulting him, he unmasks and...
Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the...
... might Bunyan in this treatise, call the early period of his ministry 'distracted
and dangerous times,' in which many a poor sincereinquirer stood 'tottering...
System of the Magicians; Incantations of Demons; Secret Magical...
... And (the sorcerer), taking (a paper), directs theinquirer [234] to write down with
water whatever questions he may desire to have asked from the demons....
The Holy Spirit Bearing Witness to Jesus Christ.
... We sit down beside aninquirer and open our Bibles and give him those Scriptures
which clearly reveal Jesus as his atoning Saviour on the cross, a Saviour from...
The Holy Spirit as a Teacher.
... It is our privilege every time we sit down beside aninquirer to point him to the
way of life to look up to the Holy Spirit and say, "Just what shall I say to...
A Discourse of the Building, Nature, Excellency, and Government of...
... is a question upon which all the subtilty of jesuitic schoolmen and casuists has
been exhausted, to mystify and mislead the honestinquirer in every age....
Was the Reappearance of Christ a vision?
... the life of humanity. Without it, the historicalinquirer will always have
an inexplicable enigma to solve. But reason, which demands...
God's Character Our Resting-Place
... So long as these two things exist, it is impossible for aninquirer to find rest....
But theinquirer says that he has not a bad opinion of God....
Thesaurus
Inquirer (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who inquires or examines; questioner;
investigator. Multi-Version Concordance
Inquirer (1 Occurrence).
...Inquires (3 Occurrences)
Predestination
... himself if saved. (3.) It brings theinquirer to absolute self-despair and
the cordial embrace of the free offer of Christ. (4.) In...
Bilshan (2 Occurrences)
... bil'-shan (bilshan): An Israelite who returned with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2 = Nehemiah
7:7). The name may be explained as the "inquirer" (new Hebrew and Aramaic...
Searcher (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who, or that which, searches or examines;
a seeker; aninquirer; an examiner; a trier. 2. (n...
Pauline
... nation. Theinquirer would learn also that Jesus had given teaching that
found constant and relentless fault with the Pharisees....
Inquired (74 Occurrences)
Philip (37 Occurrences)
... Of a weaker mold than Andrew, he was yet the one to whom the Greeks would first
appeal; he himself possessed aninquirer's spirit and could therefore...
Innocents (2 Occurrences)
... of the king's pretended interest in the quest of the strangers, the solemn conclave
of Jewish leaders with himself in the role of earnestinquirer, his urgent...
Massacre (1 Occurrence)
... of the king's pretended interest in the quest of the strangers, the solemn conclave
of Jewish leaders with himself in the role of earnestinquirer, his urgent...
Resources
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