Dictionary of Bible Themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 8266 holiness » 8269 holiness, as separation from the worldly
God's people are called to holiness, which involves being distinct from other people. In the OT, this is seen in the command to separate from other nations and from everything that can compromise commitment to the LORD. In the NT believers are called to distance themselves from the ways and values of the world, which can be dishonouring to God and destructive to obedience to him.
Israel is to be set apart from other nations
Leviticus 20:23-26
See also
Exodus 33:15-16;
Leviticus 15:31; Leviticus 18:29-30;
Deuteronomy 7:1-6; Deuteronomy 23:9-14;
Ezra 9:1-2,10-12;
Isaiah 52:11
Common things are designated clean or unclean by ritual law
Clean and unclean animals
Leviticus 11:46-47
See also
Leviticus 11:1-23 pp
Deuteronomy 14:3-20;
Mark 7:14-19;
Acts 10:14
Infectious skin diseases
Leviticus 13:2-3; Leviticus 14:2
Mildew
Leviticus 13:47-49; Leviticus 14:33-36
Bodily discharges
Leviticus 12:2; Leviticus 15:2
Corpses
Leviticus 5:2-3; Leviticus 11:31-40; Leviticus 21:1,11
What is holy must be kept separate
The Israelites must distinguish between the holy and the common
Leviticus 10:10-11;
Ezekiel 44:23
Contact with the profane desecrates the holy
Acts 21:28
See also
Jeremiah 51:51
Unclean people and things must be removed
Numbers 5:1-3;
Ezra 10:10-11
See also
Leviticus 7:22-27; Leviticus 13:45-46; Leviticus 19:5-8;
Numbers 19:13,20;
Deuteronomy 23:10-14;
2 Chronicles 26:21
Unclean people are not to approach what is sacred
Leviticus 7:20-21; Leviticus 22:3-6
The holy must be treated with respect
Unintentional defilement of the holy carries a penalty
Leviticus 5:14-16
Warnings against contempt for the holy
Leviticus 22:1-2
See also
Exodus 19:10-13; Exodus 28:42-43; Exodus 30:18-21; Exodus 31:14-15;
Numbers 4:15,17-20;
Hebrews 10:28-29
Examples of contempt for the holy
Leviticus 10:1-2;
Numbers 16:1-7,18-35;
1 Samuel 6:19-20;
2 Samuel 6:6-7;
Ezekiel 22:26,31;
Acts 5:1-10
Christians are called to be separate from the ways of the world
John 15:19;
James 4:4;
1 Peter 2:9-11
See also
John 17:14-16;
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1;
2 Timothy 2:19;
James 1:27
See also
4025 world, the
5763 attitudes, positive to God
5811 compromise
7340 clean and unclean
7342 cleanliness
7424 ritual law
7426 ritual washing
8207 commitment
8341 separation
8848 worldliness