Topical Encyclopedia The term "exclusive" in a biblical context often refers to the unique and singular nature of God, His covenant relationship with His people, and the call for believers to live set apart from the world. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing God's holiness, the distinctiveness of His people, and the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ.God's Exclusive Nature The Bible consistently affirms the exclusivity of God as the one true God. In Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema declares, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." This foundational statement underscores the monotheistic belief central to the faith of Israel. The exclusivity of God is further highlighted in Isaiah 45:5, where God proclaims, "I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God but Me." Exclusive Covenant Relationship God's relationship with Israel is marked by exclusivity. He chose Israel as His special possession, setting them apart from other nations. In Exodus 19:5-6, God tells the Israelites, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." This covenant relationship required Israel to worship God alone and to follow His commandments, distinguishing them from surrounding peoples. Exclusive Worship The exclusivity of worship is a recurring theme in Scripture. The first of the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20:3, states, "You shall have no other gods before Me." This commandment establishes the requirement for exclusive devotion to God, rejecting idolatry and the worship of false gods. The call to exclusive worship is reiterated in the New Testament, where Jesus affirms the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Exclusive Salvation through Christ The New Testament reveals the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." This statement emphasizes that salvation is found solely in Christ, excluding all other paths to God. The apostle Peter echoes this in Acts 4:12, stating, "Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Exclusive Call to Holiness Believers are called to live exclusive lives, set apart for God. In 1 Peter 2:9, Christians are described as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." This call to holiness requires believers to reject worldly values and live in accordance with God's standards, reflecting His character in their lives. Exclusive Community of Believers The church, as the body of Christ, is an exclusive community of believers united by faith in Jesus. This community is distinct from the world, characterized by love, unity, and obedience to Christ's teachings. In Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul writes, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." The concept of exclusivity in the Bible underscores the unique nature of God, the distinctiveness of His people, and the singular path to salvation through Jesus Christ. It calls believers to a life of holiness, devotion, and community, set apart for the purposes of God. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Having the power of preventing entrance; debarring from participation or enjoyment; possessed and enjoyed to the exclusion of others; as, exclusive bars; exclusive privilege; exclusive circles of society.2. (a.) Not taking into the account; excluding from consideration; -- opposed to inclusive; as, five thousand troops, exclusive of artillery. 3. (n.) One of a coterie who exclude others; one who from real of affected fastidiousness limits his acquaintance to a select few. Strong's Hebrew 4480. min -- from... 1), concerning (1), concerning* (1), course* (2), devoid (2), dictated* (1), distance* (3), doing* (2), due (4), either (2), ever (1), exclusive (1), facing (2 ... /hebrew/4480.htm - 8k Library Whether an Exclusive Diction Can be Joined to the Personal Term? Whether the Exclusive Word "Alone" Should be Added to the ... Of God and his Exclusive Eternity. An Argument for the Exclusive Worship of this God, Who, While He ... God Distinguished from Idols, that He May be the Exclusive Object ... To have True Existence is an Exclusive Prerogative of God. The Synod of Jerusalem, and the Compromise Between Jewish and ... The Form of Concord. AD 1577. Antecedents of Permanent Christian Colonization --The ... The Communion of Saints. Thesaurus Exclusive (1 Occurrence)... the power of preventing entrance; debarring from participation or enjoyment; possessed and enjoyed to the exclusion of others; as, exclusive bars; exclusive... /e/exclusive.htm - 7k Keys (2 Occurrences) Jealousy (54 Occurrences) Illyricum (1 Occurrence) Alone (232 Occurrences) Power (862 Occurrences) Empire (8 Occurrences) Zerubbabel (25 Occurrences) Ownership (1 Occurrence) Own (5782 Occurrences) Resources What is exclusive psalmody? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian be a member of a secret society? | GotQuestions.org Is the Church of Christ a good biblical church? | GotQuestions.org Exclusive: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Exclusive (1 Occurrence)Ezekiel 48:22 Subtopics Related Terms |
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