Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8402 claims

8402 claims

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8400 The tasks of the believer » 8402 claims

The assertion of rights and recognition due. God as Creator and Redeemer makes claims on his world and on his people. The claims of Jesus Christ about himself as God and Messiah call for a response. In human relationships, too, claims are made by individuals about themselves and, as a result, on others.

The basis for God's claims

God's ownership of the world

Psalm 24:1-2 See also Deuteronomy 10:14; Job 41:11; Psalm 47:9; Psalm 89:11; Ezekiel 18:4

God owns his people as Creator

Deuteronomy 32:6; Isaiah 43:6-7,15

God owns his people as Redeemer

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 See also Exodus 20:2-3 pp Deuteronomy 5:6-7; Leviticus 25:55; Isaiah 43:1; Romans 14:8

The priority of God's claims

God's claim to first place

Matthew 6:33 pp Luke 12:31

God's claim on the firstborn

God's claim to the firstfruits

Deuteronomy 26:1-2; Nehemiah 10:35; Proverbs 3:9

God's claim to the tithe

Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:8-10

Acknowledging God's claims on human life

Wholehearted devotion to God

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 See also Matthew 22:37 pp Mark 12:30

Obedience to God's law

Leviticus 18:4-5 See also Leviticus 19:37; Leviticus 22:31; Ezekiel 20:19

The call to holiness

Leviticus 11:45 See also Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 20:7,26; 1 Peter 1:15-16

Honouring God's name

Leviticus 19:12; Leviticus 22:32-33

Observing the Sabbath

Leviticus 19:3,30; Leviticus 26:2; Ezekiel 20:20

Not worshipping idols

Leviticus 19:4; Leviticus 26:1; Judges 6:10; Isaiah 42:8

The claims of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ's claim to fulfil the OT

Matthew 5:17 See also Luke 4:17-21; Luke 24:27; John 5:39

Jesus' claim to be the Messiah

Jesus Christ's claim to be king of the Jews

Matthew 27:11 pp Mark 15:2 pp Luke 23:3; John 19:12,21

Jesus Christ's claim to divinity

John 10:33; John 19:7 See also Matthew 26:63-64 pp Mark 14:61-62 pp Luke 22:70; Matthew 27:43; Mark 2:7 pp Luke 5:21 Forgiveness of sin was recognised as the prerogative of God alone. Jesus Christ's claim to forgive sin is thus a claim to be God; John 10:30; John 14:9

Jesus Christ's claim to universal lordship

Matthew 28:18 See also Matthew 25:31-32; Luke 22:69; John 17:2

The “I am” claims of Jesus Christ

John 8:58 See also John 6:35 the bread of life; John 8:12 the light of the world; John 10:7 the gate for the sheep; John 10:11 the good shepherd; John 11:25 the resurrection and the life; John 14:6 the way and the truth and the life; John 15:1 the true vine

The need to acknowledge Jesus Christ's claims

John 8:24-30 See also John 14:11

Human claims

Those making claims about themselves

Psalm 73:9 the proud boasting of the wicked; Jeremiah 23:34 false prophets claim to speak God's word; Matthew 24:5 pp Mark 13:6 pp Luke 21:8 false Christs; Acts 5:36 Theudas; Acts 8:9 Simon the sorcerer claimed to be someone great; Romans 1:22 idolaters claim to be wise; Jude 16 false teachers in the church; Revelation 2:2 false apostles

Claims must be verified by actions

Making claims on others

2 Samuel 15:3 grievances brought for judgment; 2 Samuel 19:43 Israel's claim on David as their king; Nehemiah 2:20 Nehemiah's enemies have no claim on Jerusalem.

Claims made about others

Psalm 35:20 false accusations made against the righteous; Matthew 5:11 pp Luke 6:22 Believers will be slandered by their enemies; Luke 11:18-20 pp Matthew 12:26-28 The Jews claim that Jesus Christ's powers are demonic; Romans 3:8 slanderous claims made against Paul