Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "access" refers to the ability or privilege to approach or enter into the presence of God. This concept is central to Christian theology, emphasizing the relationship between humanity and the divine, particularly through the mediating work of Jesus Christ.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, access to God was limited and highly regulated. The presence of God was most tangibly represented in the Tabernacle and later the Temple, where the Holy of Holies was considered the dwelling place of God's glory. Only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), as described in
Leviticus 16. This restricted access underscored the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity, necessitating a mediator and sacrificial system to atone for sin.
New Testament FulfillmentThe New Testament reveals a transformative shift in the concept of access to God through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The tearing of the Temple veil at the moment of Christ's death (
Matthew 27:51) symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. This act signifies that through Jesus' sacrificial death, believers now have direct access to God.
Key Scriptures·
Romans 5:1-2 : "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." This passage highlights that access to God is granted through faith in Jesus Christ, resulting in peace and grace.
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Ephesians 2:18 : "For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit." Here, Paul emphasizes the unity of Jews and Gentiles in having access to God through Christ, facilitated by the Holy Spirit.
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Ephesians 3:12 : "In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence." This verse underscores the confidence and boldness believers can have in approaching God, a stark contrast to the fear and trepidation associated with the Old Testament sacrificial system.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a conservative Christian viewpoint, the doctrine of access is foundational to understanding the believer's relationship with God. It affirms the sufficiency of Christ's atonement and the believer's adoption into the family of God. Access to God is not based on human merit but solely on the finished work of Christ, highlighting the grace and mercy of God.
Practical ApplicationThe believer's access to God encourages a life of prayer, worship, and communion with the Father.
Hebrews 4:16 invites believers to "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." This access is a source of comfort and strength, empowering Christians to live out their faith with assurance of God's presence and support.
Topical Bible Verses
1 John 4:1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Topicalbible.orgHebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Topicalbible.org
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Topicalbible.org
1 John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An ability or right to approach or enter; admission; as, to gain access to a governor.
2. (n.) The means, place, or way by which a thing may be approached; passage way; as, the access is by a neck of land.
3. (n.) Admission to sexual intercourse.
4. (n.) Increase by something added; addition; as, an access of territory. [In this sense accession is more generally used.]
5. (n.) An onset, attack, or fit of disease.
6. (n.) A paroxysm; a fit of passion; an outburst; as, an access of fury.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ACCESSak'-ses (prosagoge, "a leading to or toward," "approach"): Thrice used in the New Testament to indicate the acceptable way of approach to God and of admission to His favor. Jesus said, "I am the way" (John 14:6). His blood is the "new and living way" (Hebrews 10:20). Only through Him have we "access by faith into this grace wherein we stand" (Romans 5:2); "Through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:18 the King James Version); "in whom we have. access in confidence, through our faith in him" (Ephesians 3:12).
The goal of redemption is life in God, "unto the Father." The means of redemption is the cross of Christ, "in whom we have our redemption through his blood" (Ephesians 1:7). The agent in redemption is the Holy Spirit, "by one Spirit," "sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13). The human instrumentality, faith. The whole process of approach to, and abiding fellowship with, God is summed up in this brief sentence Access to the Father, through Christ, by the Spirit, by faith.
Dwight M. Pratt
Greek
4318. prosagoge -- a bringing to... to. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: prosagoge Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-ag-ogue-ay') Short Definition: approach,
access Definition: approach
...4006. pepoithesis -- confidence
... See 3982 (). Eph 3:12: "In whom we have (3954 ) and interactive-access in persuasion
(4006 ) through the (principle) of faith that is given by Him."....
Strong's Hebrew
1980. halak -- to go, come, walk... root Definition to go, come, walk NASB Word Usage
access (1), accompany* (2), act
(5), acting (2), already gone (1), am (1), am about (1), attended* (1
...4108. mahlek -- place to walk
... Word Origin the same as mahalak, qv. place to walk From halak; a walking (plural
collectively), ieAccess -- place to walk. see HEBREW halak. 4107, 4108....
7200. raah -- to see
... root Definition to see NASB Word Usageaccess (1), advisers* (2), appear (21), appeared
(43), appears (4), approve (2), became aware (1), became visible (1...
Library
Access into Grace
... ROMANSACCESS INTO GRACE. 'By whom also we haveaccess by faith into this
grace wherein we stand.'"Romans 5:2. I may be allowed...
The Way ofAccess.
... III. CONFLICT. Hymn 41 The way ofaccess. John Newton 8,6,8,6. The way ofaccess.
One glance of thine, eternal LORD,. Pierces all nature through;...
Access to the Throne of Grace by a Mediator.
... first and third lines of the stanza. Hymn 2:108.Access to the throne of
grace by a Mediator. 1 Come, let us lift our joyful eyes...
Access to the Throne of Grace by a Mediator.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 108Access to the throne of grace by a mediator. CMAccess to
the throne of grace by a mediator. Come, let us lift our joyful eyes....
Moreover Since He Himself is the Only Way and the OnlyAccess by...
... Of Prayer. John Calvin Chapter 19 Moreover since he himself is the only
way and the onlyaccess by which we? Moreover since he...
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That we Obtain Remission of Sins by Faith Alone in Christ.
... Likewise Paul, Rom.5, 2, says: By whom also we haveaccess, and adds, by faith.... And
to show how this occurs, he adds that we haveaccess by faith....
Jesus the Good Shepherd.
... Through Me only can you findaccess to permanent security and the free enjoyment
of all spiritual nutriment; "By Me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and...
The Right of Entry
... And then follow a series of promises, of which the climax is the one that I have
read. 'I will give thee a place ofaccess,' says the Revised Version, instead...
Thesaurus
Access (9 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An ability or right to approach or enter;
admission; as, to gain
access to a governor. 2. (n.) The
...Approach (56 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Aaccess, or opportunity of drawing near.... 9. (n.) A way, passage, or avenue
by which a place or buildings can be approached; anaccess. 10....
Open (586 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Free ofaccess; not shut up; not closed; affording unobstructed ingress
or egress; not impeding or preventing passage; not locked up or covered over...
Recourse (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Recurrence in difficulty, perplexity, need, or the like;access
or application for aid; resort. 3. (n.)Access; admittance....
Mayst (5 Occurrences)
... Genesis 38:16 And he turned to her by the way, and said, Come, I pray thee, let
me haveaccess to thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter-in-law:) and...
Sanctuary (250 Occurrences)
... This was the worshipper's square, and every Hebrew who passed through the entrance
gate had immediateaccess to the altar (compare W. Robertson Smith, note on...
Court (172 Occurrences)
... This was the worshipper's square, and every Hebrew who passed through the entrance
gate had immediateaccess to the altar (compare W. Robertson Smith, note on...
Shephelah (2 Occurrences)
... to them." (2) On the East of the Shephelah, then, taking the name in this more limited
sense, rises the steep wall of the mountain, into whichaccess is gained...
Omnipresence
... He is everywhere enables Him to act everywhere and to know all things, and, conversely,
through omnipotent action and omniscient knowledge He hasaccess to all...
Aqueduct (4 Occurrences)
... The well was usually covered with a stone, through which a hole was pierced
sufficiently large to allow of freeaccess for the pitchers....
Resources
Does Satan still have access to Heaven? Why does God allow Satan to enter Heaven, as recorded in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is natural revelation? | GotQuestions.orgHow, why, and when did Satan fall from heaven? | GotQuestions.orgAccess: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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