Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8100 The life of faith  »  8142 religion

A set of beliefs, a form of worship, ritual, prayer and a code of moral behaviour. True faith in God, moral standards and good works are important in relation to a biblical understanding of true religion, which is contrasted with the false religion of paganism.

Belief

Hebrews 11:6 See also Genesis 15:6

Belief can easily be misdirected and become superstition:

1 Samuel 4:3-8; 1 Kings 20:23 Jonah 3:5; James 2:19 Belief by itself is insufficient for salvation.

Worship

Jonah 1:16 See also 2 Kings 19:37 pp Isaiah 37:38; Jeremiah 44:17-19; Acts 17:22-23

Ritual

Mark 7:3-4 See also Exodus 32:2-6; 1 Kings 18:22-29; Hebrews 10:11

Prayer

Isaiah 44:17 See also 1 Kings 18:26; Isaiah 45:20; Luke 2:37; Acts 10:4

Code of behaviour

Nehemiah 9:13-14 See also 2 Kings 23:3 pp 2 Chronicles 34:31; Matthew 19:16-20 pp Mark 10:17-20 pp Luke 18:18-21; Matthew 23:23 pp Luke 11:42 Religious people do not always see the inconsistencies in their behaviour; Luke 1:6; John 18:28; James 1:26

True religious practice

James 1:27

Moral standards

1 Corinthians 7:19 See also Matthew 15:16-20 pp Mark 7:18-23; Mark 12:33; Luke 11:39-41; Romans 10:2-4; Romans 14:17

Good works

1 Timothy 5:4 See also Matthew 19:21 pp Mark 10:21 pp Luke 18:22; Ephesians 2:10; James 2:14-17

See also

7328  ceremonies
7422  ritual
7435  sacrifice, in OT
8028  faith, body of beliefs
8240  ethics
8309  morality
8603  prayer, relationship with God
8625  worship, acceptable attitudes
8748  false religion
8784  nominal religion
8799  polytheism
8831  syncretism