Redemption in the MacArthur Topical Bible

In your study of God’s Word, have you ever encountered a topic that you instantly wanted to learn more about? Have you ever wondered, “What does the rest of the Bible say about that?” I’m sure you have and that’s why we want to share with you an excellent resource that can help you find answers to those questions, the MacArthur Topical Bible. This resource shows you what the Bible says on over 20,000 different topics. We’ll show you how to use this resource and provide an example below, but, first, let’s see how the author intends this resource to be used.

In His Own Words

John MacArthur outlines four basic principles for studying God’s Word: literal, historical, grammatical, and synthesis. While all these steps are important, the final principle, synthesis, is where a resource like the MacArthur Topical Bible is vital. This step of the process is where you seek to understand what the Bible has to say about a particular topic as a whole. You’re seeking to answer the question, “What do all the Scriptures say about the Scripture?” Here’s how John MacArthur describes this process,

“Now that you have this tool in your hands, how should you use it? I would suggest you start by following the first three interpretation principles I outlined for you previously [literal, historical, grammatical]. Once you’ve interpreted the text, then you should make a list of the key subjects you’ve discovered that directly relate to the passage. Then take that list and look up each subject in this topical Bible to trace all that God has said about each of those subjects throughout Scripture. That’s when you’ll discover how each topic fits into the greater picture of God’s intent.”

How to Use the MacArthur Topical Bible

Now that you know what a resource like the MacArthur Topical Bible should be used for, we want to show you how to use it in the Olive Tree app. There are basically two ways you can use this resource. First, you can search the MacArthur Topical Bible for a specific topic from the table of contents. All the topics are listed alphabetically, so if you know the topic you’re interested in learning what the Bible has to say about it, then you can easily look it up and begin reading.

Second, you can look up articles in on topics directly from the Scriptures by utilizing the Lookup feature and Resource Guide in the app. The Lookup feature enables you to look up topics from the Scriptures in the resources you have in your Olive Tree Library. Say, for example, you come across the word redemption while reading Colossians 1:14, “in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” You can look up articles on the word redemption in your resources by highlighting redemption and tapping on Lookup. The articles will show up in the Resource Guide. In just a couple quick steps, you can see all that the Bible has to say on this topic.

Redemption in the Scriptures

Each of the 20,000 topics covered in the MacArthur Topical Bible are divided up into main headings that can include a number of subheadings. Here is an example from the topic of redemption which includes the main heading and subheadings. This is what the Scriptures say we have been redeemed from.

[Redemption] Is from

The bondage of the law.

Gal 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

The curse of the law.

Gal 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” ),

The power of sin.

Rom 6:18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Rom 6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

The power of the grave and death.

Ps 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah

Hos 13:14 “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes.”

All troubles.

Ps 25:22 Redeem Israel, O God, Out of all their troubles!

All iniquity.

Ps 130:8 And He shall redeem Israel From all his iniquities.

Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

All evil.

Gen 48:16 The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.”

The present evil age.

Gal 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

Aimless conduct.

1 Pet 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

Enemies.

Ps 106:10-11 He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, And redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. 11 The waters covered their enemies; There was not one of them left.

Jer 15:21 “I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, And I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible.”

Destruction.

Ps 103:4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Get the MacArthur Study Bible Today

The MacArthur Topical Bible is a helpful resource for discovering all that the Bible says about a particular topic. With over 20,000 topics covered, this resource is an indispensable tool that can help you quickly find key passages to aid you in understanding God’s Word. Get a copy through the link below and start learning what the Scriptures say about the Scriptures!