Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5919 popularity The state of being liked and admired. Scripture notes how the faithful preaching of the gospel will lead to hostility and unpopularity, not least on account of its demands on people and its proclamation of judgment. The popularity of Jesus Christ during his early ministry Crowds gathered round him Mark 2:2 See also Mark 3:10; Mark 5:24; Luke 5:1; Luke 8:19,45 Many people followed him Matthew 4:25; Matthew 13:2; Matthew 15:30; Mark 1:33; Mark 2:13; Luke 12:1 The popularity of David 1 Samuel 18:7; Samuel 21:11; Samuel 29:5; 2 Samuel 3:36 Popularity can result from seeking approval from human beings, rather than from God John 12:43 See also Luke 6:26; Colossians 3:22 Actions carried out to gain popularity 2 Samuel 15:1-6 Absalom's attempt to curry favour; Acts 12:1-3 Herod's arrest of Christians; Acts 24:27 Felix' imprisonment of Paul; Acts 25:9 Festus' prosecution of Paul Causes of unpopularity for the gospel Its appeal to those whom the world regards as weak and foolish 1 Corinthians 1:26-29; Corinthians 2:6-7 Its insistence that people are sinful Romans 7:7; 1 Timothy 5:20; 1 John 1:8 Its challenge to vested interests John 11:45-48 the Pharisees' privileged position; Acts 19:23-40 the silversmith's trade; Acts 5:17-41; Acts 21:27-36 The high demands that the gospel makes of people The difficulty of some of Jesus Christ's sayings See also
2369 Christ, responses to |
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