Children grow up learning about Noah and the ark. As adults, we study the record of the flood and strive to learn the lessons it teaches – why it happened, how Noah was saved, Noah’s example of obedience, as so on. But there are also important lessons for us that came immediately after the flood. We will notice a few in this article.Continue Reading
“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it’” (Matthew 16:16-18).
One of the more significant statements in the revelation of God’s plan was Jesus’ promise to His apostles, “I will build My church” (Matthew 16:18). Let us break down this statement and see what Jesus is teaching here.
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As the religious world prepares for the Easter holiday this Sunday, let us be reminded of what the Bible has to say on the topic.
Is Easter in the Bible? Yes and no, depending on what is meant by the question. Is the word Easter in the Bible. Yes, if you are reading the King James Version. When Herod killed James and saw that it pleased the Jews, he intended to do the same to Peter. Luke recorded, “And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quarternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people” (Acts 12:4).
However, if you read from a different translation, such as the New American Standard Bible, a different word is used instead of Easter: “…intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people.” Which is the correct translation? The Greek word used here is pascha (Passover). It refers to the feast of Unleavened Bread that was instituted for the Jews under the Old Law (cf. Exodus 12:1-27). Easter does not belong in Acts 12:4.
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God showed the prophet Amos three visions that warned about the coming judgment against Israel (Amos 7:1-9). After the first two visions, Amos protested, pleading for mercy on behalf of Israel. But after the third vision he did not. What was different about the third vision? Answering this question will provide a valuable lesson for us today.
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One of the most significant events of the Restoration Movement was the introduction of a melodeon in the assembly of the church in Midway, Kentucky. According to L.L. Pinkerton, the preacher at Midway, this was the first time an instrument had been successfully introduced among those of the Restoration Movement. He made this claim in 1860.
The reason why this was significant was because of the plea voiced by the preachers of the Restoration – speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where it is silent. Every religious practice would have to pass the test of Scripture. If one could not demonstrate that a practice was according to the New Testament pattern (2 Timothy 1:13), that practice was to be rejected because everything must be done by the authority of Christ (Colossians 3:17). Therefore, instrumental music in worship was widely rejected in the Restoration Movement. It did not fit the pattern revealed in the New Testament which, therefore, made it unauthorized.
So how did the melodeon find its way into the worship of the church in Midway? It certainly did not happen overnight. If we can learn the lessons from this event, then we will hopefully be prepared to guard ourselves against potential apostasies today.
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As David neared the end of his life, one of his sons, Adonijah, presumed to make himself king in David’s place (1 Kings 1:5). However, both David and the Lord indicated that Solomon should be king (1 Kings 1:17; 1 Chronicles 22:9-10). In the end, Solomon succeeded David on the throne (1 Kings 1:39) and Adonijah was put to death (1 Kings 2:24-25).
When we compare the rule of these two men — Solomon’s legitimate rule and Adonijah’s illegitimate rule — we find a notable difference between their administrations.
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What does “propitiation” mean? How is “justification” connected to salvation? What does “sanctification” look like in our day-to-day lives? The Bible uses some powerful words to describe God’s plan to save mankind. However, these words are not always easy to understand, especially when they are not part of our everyday vocabulary. This book explores key Bible terms that unlock the message of the gospel.
Big Words in the Bible examines five important words – Propitiation, Reconciliation, Sanctification, Justification, and Resurrection – using plain language to see how the Scriptures describe these concepts and how the apostle Paul employs them in his letter to the Romans. This book also contains an appendix with eleven additional articles to explore these topics further.
Whether you are new to the Bible and want to grow in your understanding or want a simple way to explain these core gospel doctrines to others, this book will be helpful. With a focus on the Scriptures, Big Words in the Bible helps break down these fundamental topics to shed light on the life-changing message of the gospel and the salvation found in it.
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