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Universal Principles and Concepts in Biblical Analogies and Examples

Biblical analogies and examples frequently illustrate universal principles, often drawing from everyday life, natural phenomena, or historical events to convey theological truths. These analogies serve to make complex doctrines more accessible and relatable to their audiences.

One such universal principle is the concept of resurrection. The Old Testament contains references to this doctrine in passages like Job 19:26, Psalm 16:10, and Daniel 12:2. It is considered a "first principle of the gospel" in the New Testament, as indicated in 1 Corinthians 15:13-14 and Hebrews 6:1-2 [1]. The expectation of resurrection was present among Jews, as seen in John 11:24, though it was denied by groups like the Sadducees (Matthew 22:23) [1]. The New Testament also addresses those who questioned the resurrection within the early church (1 Corinthians 15:12) and refutes false teachers who explained it away (2 Timothy 2:18) [1]. Jesus himself assumed and proved the resurrection, as recorded in Matthew 22:29-32 and John 5:28-29, and the apostles preached it (Acts 4) [1].

Another principle frequently highlighted is liberality, or generosity. This quality is described as pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 9:7) and something God never forgets (Hebrews 6:10) [2]. Christ's example of liberality is presented in 2 Corinthians 8:9, and it is characterized as a trait of saints (Psalm 112:9) [2]. However, liberality without love is deemed unprofitable (1 Corinthians 13:3) [2]. The Bible encourages the exercise of liberality in various contexts: in the service of God (Exodus 35:21-29), toward fellow saints (Romans 12:13), servants (Deuteronomy 15:12-14), the poor (Deuteronomy 15:11), strangers (Leviticus 25:35), and even enemies (Proverbs 25:21) [2]. This extends to giving alms and relieving the destitute (Luke 12:33; Isaiah 58:7) [2].

The concept of Christians acting as missionaries is also presented as a universal duty. This is to be done after the example of Christ (Acts 10:38) [3]. The call to missionary zeal extends to all, including women and children (Psalm 8:2; Philippians 4:3) [3]. The zeal of idolaters and hypocrites is presented as a provocation to Christians to engage in their own mission (Jeremiah 7:18; Matthew 23:15) [3]. This duty is described as imperative (Judges 5:23) and rooted in the principle of Christ's love (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) [3]. Christians are called to this work regardless of their perceived weakness (1 Corinthians 1:27), as saints (Exodus 19:6), and as faithful stewards (1 Peter 4:10-11), engaging in it from youth to old age (Psalm 71:17-18) [3].

The example of Christ serves as a perfect model for believers (Hebrews 7:26) [4]. Conformity to Christ's example is required in areas such as holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16), righteousness (1 John 2:6), purity (1 John 3:3), and love (John 13:34) [4]. Other virtues include humility (Philippians 2:5, 7), meekness (Matthew 11:29), obedience (John 15:10), and self-denial (Matthew 16:24) [4]. Christ's example also encompasses ministering to others (Matthew 20:28), benevolence (Acts 20:35), forgiving injuries (Colossians 3:13), overcoming the world (John 16:33), and living without guile (1 Peter 2:21-22) [4]. The conduct of good individuals, following such examples, is understood to proclaim their sound principles and secure blessings for their children [7].

The doctrine of the final judgment is another universal principle, predicted in the Old Testament (Psalm 9:7) and considered a "first principle of the gospel" in Hebrews 6:2 [5]. A specific day is appointed for this judgment (Acts 17:31), though its exact time remains unknown (Mark 13:32) [5]. This event is referred to as the "Day of wrath" (Romans 2:5) and the "judgment of the great day" (Jude 1:6) [5]. Christ himself will administer this judgment (John 5:22, 27), and saints are depicted as sitting with Christ in judgment (1 Corinthians 6:2) [5].

Underlying these principles are the counsels and purposes of God, which are described as great, wonderful, immutable, and sovereign (Jeremiah 32:19; Isaiah 28:29; Psalm 33:11; Daniel 4:35) [6]. These purposes are eternal (Ephesians 3:11) and characterized by faithfulness and truth (Isaiah 25:1) [6]. No one can disannul them, and they will certainly be performed (Isaiah 14:27, 46:11) [6]. The sufferings and death of Christ, the calling and salvation of saints, and the union of all saints in Christ are all presented as being in accordance with God's counsels (Acts 2:23; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:9-10) [6]. These divine purposes are the foundation upon which God's works are accomplished (Ephesians 1:11) [6].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resurrection, The — A doctrine of the Old Testament -- Job 19:26; Ps 16:10; 49:15; Isa 26:19; Da 12:2; Ho 13:14. A first principle of the gospel -- 1Co 15:13,14; Heb 6:1,2. Expected by the Jews -- Joh 11:24; Heb 11:35. Denied by the Sadducees -- Mt 22:23; Lu 20:27; Ac 23:8. Explained away by false teachers -- 2Ti 2:18. Called in question by some in the church -- 1Co 15:12. Is not incredible -- Mr 12:24; Ac 26:8. Is not contrary to reason -- Joh 12:24; 1Co 15:35-49. Assumed and proved by our Lord -- Mt 22:29-32; Lu 14:14; Joh 5:28,29. Preached by the Apostles -- Ac 4:”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Missionaries, All Christians Should Be As — After the example of Christ -- Ac 10:38. Women and children as well as men -- Ps 8:2; Pr 31:26; Mt 21:15,16; Php 4:3; 1Ti 5:10; Tit 2:3-5; 1Pe 3:1. The zeal of idolaters should provoke to -- Jer 7:18. The zeal of hypocrites should provoke to -- Mt 23:15. An imperative duty -- Jdj 5:23; Lu 19:40. The principle on which -- 2Co 5:14,15. However weak they may be -- 1Co 1:27. From their calling as saints -- Ex 19:6; 1Pe 2:9. As faithful stewards -- 1Pe 4:10,11. In youth -- Ps 71:17; 148:12,13. In old age -- De 32:7; Ps 71:18. In”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Judgment, The — Predicted in the Old Testament -- 1Ch 16:33; Ps 9:7; 96:13; Ec 3:17. A first principle of the gospel -- Heb 6:2. A day appointed for -- Ac 17:31; Ro 2:16. Time of, unknown to us -- Mr 13:32. Called the Day of wrath. -- Ro 2:5; Re 6:17. Revelation of the righteous judgment of God. -- Ro 2:5. Day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. -- 2Pe 3:7. Day of destruction. -- Job 21:30. Judgment of the great day. -- Jude 1:6. Shall be administered by Christ -- Joh 5:22,27; Ac 10:42; Ro 14:10; 2Co 5:10. Saints shall sit with Christ in -- 1Co 6:2; Re 20:4. Sh”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Counsels and Purposes of God, The — Are great -- Jer 32:19. Are wonderful -- Isa 28:29. Are immutable -- Ps 33:11; Pr 19:21; Jer 4:28; Ro 9:11; Heb 6:17. Are sovereign -- Isa 40:13,14; Da 4:35. Are eternal -- Eph 3:11. Are faithfulness and truth -- Isa 25:1. None can disannul -- Isa 14:27. Shall be performed -- Isa 14:24; 46:11. The sufferings and death of Christ were according to -- Ac 2:23; 4:28. Saints called and save according to -- Ro 8:28; 2Ti 1:9. The union of all saints in Christ, is according to -- Eph 1:9,10. The works of God according to -- Eph 1:11. Shoul”
  7. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 20:7: The conduct of good men proclaims their sound principles. God's covenant and their good example secure blessing to their children (Pro 4:26; Psa 112:1-2).”
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