- NEW MOON, FEAST OF Special services were appointed for the
commencement of a month (Numbers 28:11-15; 10:10). (See
FESTIVALS.) - NEW TESTAMENT (Luke 22:20), rather “New Covenant,” in contrast to
the old covenant of works, which is superseded. “The covenant of grace is
called new; it succeeds to the old broken covenant of works. It is ever
fresh, flourishing, and excellent; and under the gospel it is dispensed in a
more clear, spiritual, extensive, and powerful manner than of old” (Brown
of Haddington). Hence is derived the name given to the latter portion of
the Bible. (See TESTAMENT.) - NEZIAH victory; pure, Ezra 2:54; Nehemiah 7:56.
- NEZIB a town in the “plain” of Judah. It has been identified with Beit
Nuzib, about 14 miles south-west of Jerusalem, in the Wady Sur (Joshua
15:43). - NIBHAZ barker, the name of an idol, supposed to be an evil demon of the
Zabians. It was set up in Samaria by the Avites (2 Kings 17:31), probably
in the form of a dog. - NIBSHAN fertile; light soil, a city somewhere “in the wilderness” of
Judah (Joshua 15:62), probably near Engedi. - NICANOR conqueror, one of the seven deacons appointed in the
apostolic Church (Acts 6:1-6). Nothing further is known of him. - NICODEMUS the people is victor, a Pharisee and a member of the
Sanhedrin. He is first noticed as visiting Jesus by night (John 3:1-21) for
the purpose of learning more of his doctrines, which our Lord then
unfolded to him, giving prominence to the necessity of being “born again.”
He is next met with in the Sanhedrin (7:50-52), where he protested against
the course they were taking in plotting against Christ. Once more he is
mentioned as taking part in the preparation for the anointing and burial of
the body of Christ (John 19:39). We hear nothing more of him. There can
be little doubt that he became a true disciple. - NICOLAITANES The church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:6) is commended
for hating the “deeds” of the Nicolaitanes, and the church of Pergamos is
blamed for having them who hold their “doctrines” (15). They were
seemingly a class of professing Christians, who sought to introduce into
kiana
(Kiana)
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