Page 466 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

PERIDA - PETER

practice today. The sick flocked here seeking a cure, Marathon. In 486 Xerxes (Ahasuerus) began to reign.
believing that while they slept in the court of the temple In about 479 Esther probably became Xerxes’ queen
the serpent god would reveal his healing power by (7th year of his reign, Est. 1:1-3; 2:16). In 480 Xerxes
means of dreams. The priests interpreted the dreams was killed in an invasion of Greece, and Artaxerxes
and prescribed cures. If the patients were touched by began to reign. In 334 Alexander the Great invaded
any of the snakes that were kept in the temple, they Persia and the empire fell to Alexander in 331. [See
believed that they had been touched by God. Jesus Esther.]
spoke of Pergamos as the seat of Satan, and some think PERSIS (overturning). Ro. 16:12.
He was referring particularly to the temple of Zeus, and PERUDA (separation). Ezr. 2:55.
this is possible, as Zeus was the chief of the Greek gods.
It is also possible that He was referring to the emperor PERVERSE. Perverted; turned aside; distorted from
worship, as this is what got the Christians in trouble the right (De. 32:5; 1 Sa. 20:30; Pr. 4:24; 8:8; 12:8;
more often than not. It might be, though, that He was 14:2; 17:20; 19:1; 28:6,18; Mt. 17:17; Lk. 9:41; Ph.
referring to Pergamos’ function as a center for idolatry 2:15). [See Sin.]
in general. PERVERT. To turn from truth, propriety, or from its
The archaeological excavations at Pergamos are proper purpose; to distort from its true use or end; to
extensive. Much of the acropolis has been excavated, as corrupt (Webster) (De. 16:19; 24:17; 1 Sa. 8:3; Pr.
well as the Asklepios temple area below the mountain 17:23; 31:5; Mi. 3:9; Ac. 13:10; Ga. 1:7). [See Sin.]
and its adjoining small theater. On the acropolis we find PESTILENCE. Trouble and judgment from God (Ex.
the ruins of the old walls, the library, the palace, the 5:3; Je. 14:12). In the New Testament, the term
temple of Athena, the seat of Zeus, the temple of Trajan, “pestilences” is from the Greek loimos, which refers to a
the temple of Dionysius, and the theater. Parts of the plague, a disease (Mt. 24:7; Lk. 21:11).
ancient Roman aqueduct are still standing. PESTLE. A rounded hand tool of wood or stone to
PERIDA (separation, dispersion). Nu. 7:57. pound or grind substances in a mortar (Pr. 27:22). [See
PERIZZITE (dwelling in villages). Ge. 13:7. Mortar.]
PERJURED. One who has broken an oath (1 Ti. PETER (a small rock). The surname of Simon,
1:10). [See Deceit.] brother of Andrew and son of Jona. He was a native of
Bethsaida and a fisherman; called to be one of the
PERSECUTION. Trouble and punishment because of twelve Apostles of Christ; follows Christ, leaving all (Mt.
one’s Bible beliefs and faith in Christ. The Bible 4:18-20); testifies of Christ’s divinity (Mt. 16:14-17),
promises that the Christian will suffer persecution (Mt. rebukes Christ and is rebuked by Him (Mt. 16:21-23);
13:21; Ac. 8:1; 11:19; 13:50; Ro. 8:35; 2 Co. 12:10; Ga. witnesses Christ’s transfiguration (Mt. 17:1-8); walks on
5:11; 6:12; 2 Th. 1:4; 2 Ti. 3:11, 12). [See Suffering, the water (Mt. 14:28-31); allows Jesus to wash his feet
Trial, Tribulation.] (Jn. 13:6-9); professes willingness to follow Christ to
PERSEVERANCE. Continuing steadfast on a the death (Mt. 26:33-35); defends Christ with a sword
particular course of life or belief (Ep. 6:19). (Mt. 26:51; Lk. 22:51; Jn. 18:10); denies Christ (Mt.
Perseverance is an evidence of salvation (He. 3:14; Col. 26:69-75); sees him after the resurrection (Jn. 21:7-22);
1:21-23). [See Endure, Eternal Security, Overcome.] addresses the disciples regarding the choice of an
PERSIA. The ancient name of Persia was Elam. It was Apostle (Ac. 1:15-26); addresses the Jews on the day of
already a kingdom in Abraham’s day when the king of Pentecost (Ac. 2:14-40); cures a lame man at the gate of
Elam joined the Mesopotamian military alliance to the temple (Ac. 3:1-11); is imprisoned with John (Ac.
attack southern Canaan (Ge. 14:1-3). In 642 Cyaxares 4:1-23); pronounces judgment on Ananias and Sapphira
expelled the Turano and set up the Kaianite dynasty. In (Ac. 5:1-11); performs many cures (Ac. 5:12-16); is
612, the Elamites were part of the alliance led by again imprisoned and released; speaks boldly before the
Nabopolassar of Babylon, father of Nebuchadnezzar, magistrates (Ac. 5:17-42); communicates the gifts of the
that destroyed Nineveh and conquered the Assyrian Spirit to the Samaritans (Ac. 8:14-17); confounds Simon
kingdom. In 559 Cyrus became king of Persia, and in Magus (Ac. 8:18-24); cures Aeneas of palsy (Ac.
550 he annexed Media to found the Medo-Persian 9:33-35); raises Dorcas to life (Ac. 9:36-42); preaches to
Empire. In 539, Cyrus conquered Babylon. In 530 Cyrus Cornelius (Ac. 10); defends himself to the church (Ac.
was killed in battle and Cambyses reigned. By 525 the 11:1-18); is imprisoned by Herod and freed by a
Persian Empire extended from India to Asia Minor. In messenger of God (Ac. 12); addresses the assembly at
522 Darius I began his reign (Darius Hystaspis or Darius Jerusalem concerning circumcision (Ac. 15:7-11); is
the Great). Darius divided the Persian Empire into 20 opposed by Paul for his hypocrisy (Ga. 2:11-14);
provinces. In 490 Darius was defeated by the Greeks at commends Paul’s Epistles (2 Pe. 3:15-16); writes two

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