Page 93 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

BOISTEROUS - BORN AGAIN

BOISTEROUS . Strong (Mt. 14:30). therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by
BOLLED. Swollen; podded; in pod (Ex. 9:31) the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19).
Concise). There is not one hint in the Bible that Christians are
BOLSTER. Pillow (1 Sa. 19:13, 16). to save the bones of the dead and make keepsakes of
BOND MAN. Slave (Ge. 43:18; Le. 25:46). them for any purpose whatsoever. This is pagan and
BONDSERVICE. Enforced service; slavery (1 Ki. occultic. When the first martyr Stephen died, the church
at Jerusalem did not keep his bones. They did not hack
9:21). off a few pieces and distribute them to the other
BONES. The Roman Catholic Church has a strange churches. They buried the man (Acts 7:2). All of him!
and unscriptural relationship with human bones. For Even in Old Testament times the bones of the saints
example, in 1998 bones allegedly belonging to San (every child of God through faith in Christ is a saint—1
Diego de Alcala were brought to Chicago. San Diego is Co. 1:2) were not kept and incorporated into their
the “saint” for whom the ever-sunny southern California worship. The body of Joseph was kept, not to use in
city is named. He died 535 years ago in Spain. Two of worship but to carry to the Promised Land to give him a
his bone fragments—the Catholic Church calls them proper burial there (Ge. 50:25; Exodus 13:19; Joshua
“first-class relics”—now reside at Loyola University. 24:32). God buried the body of Moses to prevent any
They will be proudly displayed in a silver showcase. An possibility that his bones would be used as holy relics
article in the Chicago Sun Times notes that these are not (De. 32:5-6). “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from
the only holy relics in Chicago. “A bone from the right idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). “Little children, keep
arm of Mother Cabrini, who died in 1917 and was yourselves from idols. Amen” (1 John 5:21).
declared a saint in 1946, is on display at the National BOOTH. A temporary structure made with branches
Shrine to St. Frances Cabrini at Columbus Hospital” and (Ge. 33:17; Le. 23:39-43).
“at least three pieces of leg bone, believed to belong to
St. Jude, one of Jesus’ 12 Apostles, are encased at the BOOTIES. Plunder; booty (Hab. 2:7).
National Shrine to St. Jude.” Further, priest Thomas BOOZ. The Greek form of Boaz. [See Boaz.]
Poprocki, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Chicago, said BORN AGAIN. The new birth is a sinner receiving
there are at least 378 relics in Chicago “because every new life from God (Jn. 3:1-16) and being born into
church in Cook and Lake counties would have one or God’s family (Jn. 1:12-13). Other Bible terms that refer
more embedded under its altar stone. Not all are bone to the New Birth are “born of the Spirit” (Jn. 3:5-6, 8),
fragments. Relics can be skin, clothing or instruments “born of God” (1 Jn. 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18), “new
connected to a martyr.” creature” (2 Co. 5:17; Ga. 6:15), “washing of
Catholic leaders cited in the article protest that the regeneration” (Tit. 3:5), “new man” (Ep. 4:24; Col.
relics are not worshipped but are simply “venerated” as 3:9).
“a piece of memory.” There is very little difference How the New Birth Is Like the First Birth: (1) It is a
between venerate and worship. I’ve seen Catholics powerful event. The natural birth is a very significant
lighting candles and incense and bowing before relics in event. Many people are affected, not only the mother
many parts of the world—at the Vatican in Rome, at St. and father, but all of the relatives and friends and
Joseph’s Cathedral in Montreal, at shrines in Slovakia acquaintances. Births are very dramatic things. So is the
and Ireland and India and England. This, my friends, is new birth. (2) It happens at one time. A man is not born
idolatry. Those who visit these places hope that the over a period of a week or month or year. A birth
holiness of the relics will somehow make their prayers happens in one day. So does the new birth. There are
more efficacious, and they are taught to pray directly to many things leading up to the birth, but the birth itself
the “saints” represented by the relics. All of this is happens in one day. (3) Others know it when it happens.
forbidden by the Word of God. Nowhere are we taught When a child comes into this world, everyone around
to pray to anyone other than Almighty God. To do so is knows that a new life has been born. Likewise, when a
blasphemy and idolatry. There are no prayers to Mary or person is born again, those around him are going to
to saints in the Bible. The Lord Jesus Christ taught us to know it.
pray to God the Father. The Means of the New Birth: This new life is received
We don’t come to God through bones; we come by trusting Christ to be one’s Saviour from sin (Jn.
through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. “But now in 3:7-16; 1:12; 1 Jn. 5:1). People are born again by
Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made hearing and believing the Gospel of Christ (1 Co. 4:15;
nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). “In whom Ja. 1:18; 1 Pe. 1:23). The Source of the New Birth: It is
we have redemption through his blood, even the the Holy Spirit who imparts this new life (Tit. 3:5; 1 Co.
forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:14). “Having 6:11).

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