The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a Christian denomination in the United States. With over 15 million members, it is the world’s largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. (Ephesians 4:5-6). The SBC was founded in 1845 by Southern Baptists who split from northern Baptists over the issue of slavery. Southern Baptists defended the right to own slaves, while northern Baptists believed slavery was wrong. This split exemplified the theological divide between North and South. After the American Civil War, the SBC remained a distinct denomination and continued to grow in numbers and influence (Matthew 10:34-36).…
Author: Aaron Chin
The Doctrine of the Perspicuity of Scripture The doctrine of the perspicuity (or clarity) of Scripture teaches that the Bible is written in such a way that its teachings are able to be understood by all who will read it seeking God’s help and being willing to follow it. The key points of this doctrine are: 1. The Bible is sufficiently clear and understandable for all that matters concerning salvation and living according to God’s will. While some parts may be hard to understand, what is necessary for salvation and faith is clear. 2. The Holy Spirit enables true believers…
The city of Lystra is mentioned several times in the New Testament book of Acts as an important site in the missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas. Here is a 9,000 word overview of the biblical significance of Lystra: Lystra in Acts 14 The first mention of Lystra comes in Acts 14, when Paul and Barnabas visit the city on Paul’s first missionary journey. Acts 14:6-7 says “They fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel.” This indicates that Lystra was one of the key destinations for…
Allah is the Arabic word for God used by Muslims. The Bible, however, has a different perspective on who Allah is compared to what Islam teaches. Here is a 9,000 word overview of the biblical view on Allah: The Islamic View of Allah In Islam, Allah is considered the one true god with no equals or partners. He is seen as the all-powerful, all-knowing creator and sustainer of the universe. Allah is considered indivisible and transcendent, completely separate from creation. Muslims believe Allah cannot be understood or pictured, but can only be submitted to and obeyed. The Quran describes Allah’s…
Zophar the Naamathite was one of Job’s three friends who came to comfort him after he had lost everything. However, instead of providing comfort, Zophar accused Job of wrongdoing and exhorted him to repent. His message to Job focused on the justice of God and the certainty of punishment for sin. Specifically, Zophar made the following key points in his speeches to Job: God’s Wisdom Is Higher Than Man’s Zophar began his first speech by affirming that God’s wisdom far surpasses human understanding: “Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the…
A prayer shawl, also known as a tallit or talit in Hebrew, is a shawl worn during Jewish prayer services. It is traditionally a rectangular garment with tassels, or tzitzit, attached to the four corners. The prayer shawl serves as a reminder of God’s commandments and presence. In modern times, prayer shawls are also gifted to provide comfort, protection and blessings during difficult times. Biblical Origin and Significance The commandment to wear tzitzit (tassels) comes from Numbers 15:37-41, where God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites to make tassels on the corners of their garments to remind them of God’s…
The Bible contains a number of passages that are commonly referred to as “warning passages.” These passages communicate stern warnings to readers about the dangers of continuing in sin and rejecting God’s way. The purpose of these passages is multi-faceted: To Highlight the Seriousness of Sin Many of the warning passages emphasize the grave dangers of persisting in patterns of sin and warn of the judgment that will come if people do not repent. For example, Hebrews 10:26-27 states, “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for…
The Hall of Faith refers to Hebrews 11 in the Bible, which highlights the examples of faithful Old Testament saints who trusted in God. This chapter is often called the “Hall of Faith” or the “Faith Hall of Fame” because it lists many heroes of faith who persevered and obeyed God despite challenges. Overview of Hebrews 11 The Book of Hebrews was written to encourage early Jewish Christians to remain faithful to Christ amid persecution. Hebrews 11 commends biblical saints who exhibited faith and endurance. This chapter: Defines faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what…
Adam and Eve did not find it strange that the serpent was talking to them because at that time, before the fall, all creatures could communicate. The Bible does not explicitly state that Adam and Eve were surprised by the serpent talking, so we can assume it seemed normal to them. Here are some key points to understand about the serpent and communication before the fall: 1. The serpent was a created being, not just an animal The serpent in Genesis 3 is referred to as “more crafty than any other beast of the field” (Genesis 3:1). This implies the…
Being born of the Spirit refers to the spiritual transformation that takes place when a person becomes a Christian. It is contrasted with being born of the flesh, which is our natural human birth into sin. Being born of the Spirit is made possible through faith in Jesus Christ and results in a new spiritual life as a child of God. The need for spiritual rebirth According to the Bible, all human beings are born spiritually dead in sin and separation from God due to the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3; Ephesians 2:1-3). Our natural inclination is towards…