Biblical and Theological DictionaryO - R
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Omnipotence
An attribute of God referring to his ability to do all things, and to his all-power over His creation. His power is self-limited only by His own nature and not by any external force (Job 42:2, Luke 1:37, Eph 3:20).
Omnipresence
An attribute of God referring to His ability, as an infinite spirit being, to present everywhere in the cosmos (Ps 139:7-10, Prov 15:3, Jer 23:24)
Omniscience
An attribute of God referring to His knowing all things (Ps 139:1-4, Heb 4:13).
Oracle
A particular revelation or prophecy delivered by God to a prophet, then passed on to the people.
Original Sin
The act and continuing results of Adam and Eve's sin in the Garden of Eden (Rom 5:12-19) on all humankind. It's consequences include an inherent sin nature, loss of original righteousness, and the distortion of the image of God.
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Pantheism
The world view that confuses God's relation to His creation by identifying Him with His immanence but denying His transcendence, from the Greek pan (all) and theos (God).
Parable
A short fictional story, using familiar everyday subjects, that illustrates a single truth or principle.
Passion
The suffering of Jesus, particularly His death at the crucifixion.
Passover
An annual Jewish holiday celebrated in memory of God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage when an angel of death killed the first-born in every Egyptian home (Ex 12) in the fifteenth century BC. The angel spared the lives of the Hebrew children by "passing over" the Jewish homes that had applied the blood of a lamb to their door frames. This foreshadows us being saved from spiritual death when we're covered by the blood of the lamb of God (Jesus Christ).
Pentecost
The puring out of the Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus Christ on the fiftieth day after His resurrection. Celebrated by Christians on the seventh Sunday after Easter.
Pentateuch
The first five books of the Bible. The Jews know them as the "Torah", a Hebrew term meaning "law" or "teaching". The Septuagint (the Greek translation of the OT) refers to them as the Pentateuch from the Greek penta (five) and teuchos (volume or scroll).
Pharisee
A member of a Jewish religious sect which emphasized strict adherence not only to the moral and ceremonial law, but also to the traditions and interpretations that they added to the law.
Prayer
The act of talking and listening to God in intimate fellowship. Prayers should include praise, thanksgiving, confession, intercession and supplication.
Propitiation
The atoning sacrifice for our sins, offered by Jesus Christ on the cross, which appeases the wrath of God (1Jn 2:2, 4:10). See also expiation.
Proselyte
A Gentile who converted to Judaism, agreed to submit to and practice Jewish law, and was therefore accepted into the Jewish community.
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Rapture
An end times event in which Christians are "caught up" to meet Jesus in mid-air (1Th 4:17) and receive our resurrection bodies (1Cor 15:40-55). Scholars disagree on whether this event occurs before, or at the beginning, middle or end of the tribulation period.
Reconciliation
The restoration of a broken relationship between two parties (Rom 5:11, 2Cor 5:16-21). See also Atonement.
Redemption
The act of redeeming, that is Christ on the cross, paying a ransom for us and freeing us from the bonds and penalty of sin (Rom 3:23-24, Gal 3:13, 1Cor 6:19-20).
Regeneration
The action by the Holy Spirit, by the grace of God, which effects a spiritual change in humans, so we experience a "new birth" and salvation through Jesus Christ (Titus 3:4-6). Our nature is changed so that we are no longer at war with God and can begin the process of sanctification. See also Justification.
Resurrection
The doctrine, event or act of being raised from the dead, used in three contexts. (1) A person temporarily raised to life, but eventually to die again (e.g. Lazarus - Jn 11:43-44). (2) The resurrection of Jesus. The whole of Christianity rests on this historical fact (1Cor 15:12-32). (3) The final (end times) resurrection of the dead, believers to eternal life in our new resurrection bodies (1Cor 15:40-55), and unbelievers to eternal damnation (Rev 20:11-15).
Revelation
A revealing or imparting from God of Himself and His divine truth to His people for their undertanding.