In 2 Corinthians 11:5, Paul refers to “super-apostles” who had infiltrated the Corinthian church and were leading people astray. Who were these false apostles that Paul was warning about? To understand who the “super-apostles” were, we need to look at the context of 2 Corinthians. In chapters 10-13, Paul is defending his authority as an apostle of Christ against false teachers who had come to Corinth claiming to be apostles and preaching a “different gospel” (2 Cor 11:4). Paul sarcastically calls these false teachers “super-apostles” to contrast them with his own humble service: “I consider that I am not in…
Author: Aaron Chin
The intermediate state refers to the condition of humans between death and the final resurrection. This period is also sometimes called the intermediate period or the intermediate realm. According to the Bible, after death, humans enter an intermediate state where they await the final resurrection and judgment. The nature and experience of this intermediate state is not completely clear from Scripture, and Christians have held various perspectives on it through the centuries. Here are some key things the Bible reveals about the intermediate state: Conscious existence after death The Bible indicates conscious existence continues after death and before the final…
Marriage is an important institution established by God, with clear principles and guidelines outlined in the Bible. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about marriage: God’s Design for Marriage Genesis 1-2 outlines God’s ideal design for marriage. God created man and woman in His own image to be partners and complement one another (Genesis 1:27). Marriage was established before the fall, indicating it is part of God’s original perfect design for humanity. The Bible says a man will leave his parents and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh (Genesis 2:24). Marriage…
The distinction between clergy and laity has been a part of church organization and structure for centuries. However, some have questioned whether this division between professional “religious” leaders and lay people is truly biblical. On one hand, the New Testament does seem to indicate some distinctions between those who are called to more full-time ministry roles vs. those who live out their faith in the daily context of work and family. Passages like 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 outline qualifications for overseers/elders and deacons in the church. There were those like Paul and Barnabas who were specifically commissioned as…
In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” At first glance, it may seem like Jesus is contradicting or changing the Old Testament law here by expanding its scope. However, a closer look shows that is not the case.…
Being self-conscious can be a struggle for many people. We may feel insecure about our appearance, abilities, personalities, and more. This insecurity can hinder us from fully embracing who God has made us to be. Fortunately, the Bible offers wisdom and reassurance when it comes to overcoming unhealthy self-consciousness. We are fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139 affirms that each of us is uniquely crafted by God with purpose and value. Verses 13-14 state, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Our Creator…
Meribah is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, referring to different places where the Israelites quarreled with God and put Him to the test. The root meaning of “Meribah” in Hebrew is “strife” or “contention.” Let’s explore the key passages that mention Meribah and understand their significance. Meribah in Exodus 17 The first mention of Meribah is in Exodus 17 during the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings after the exodus from Egypt. The people were thirsty and grumbled against Moses, even questioning if God was with them (Exodus 17:7). God instructed Moses to strike a rock at Horeb and water gushed…
The Gospel of John tells us that John the Baptist was baptizing people in Bethabara beyond the Jordan river (John 1:28). This detail raises some interesting questions – why was John baptizing specifically in Bethabara, and what is the significance of this location? To understand the significance, we first need to look at the meaning and geography of Bethabara. The name Bethabara means “house of the ford/crossing” in Hebrew. It was located on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, in the wilderness region near where the Israelites had crossed into the Promised Land after their Exodus from Egypt (Joshua…
The question of whether it is permissible for a Christian to eat halal food is an interesting one that deserves careful consideration according to biblical principles. This article will examine relevant passages in Scripture and offer analysis to help Christians think through this issue. What is halal food? Halal is an Arabic word that means “lawful” or “permitted.” When it comes to food, halal refers to dietary guidelines that Muslims follow. These guidelines are based on commands found in the Quran, the holy book of Islam. For meat to be considered halal, the animal must be slaughtered according to Islamic…
The passage in Isaiah 55:1 states: “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” This is an invitation from God to all people to receive the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. There are a few key things to understand about this verse: 1. It is an open invitation to all people The verse starts by saying “Come, everyone who thirsts.” This indicates that the offer of salvation is available to everyone, not just a select few.…