Finding a healthy church that aligns with biblical principles can be challenging. There are many factors to consider when evaluating the health and soundness of a church. Here are some key areas to look at when recognizing a healthy, Bible-based church: Preaching and Teaching One of the most important aspects of a spiritually healthy church is solid biblical preaching and teaching. The pastor and teachers should preach verse-by-verse through books of the Bible, allowing scripture to speak for itself (2 Timothy 4:2). Topics should be driven by the text rather than choosing topics first. Expository preaching should provide context, analysis,…
Author: Aaron Chin
The Antichrist is a figure that is prophesied about in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament books of 1 and 2 John, as well as the Book of Revelation. The term “antichrist” is only used a few times in Scripture, but the concept is developed throughout. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about the Antichrist: The Spirit of Antichrist The apostle John writes in his first epistle that there is a “spirit of antichrist” which was already at work in the world (1 John 4:3). This spirit is characterized by deception and denial of the incarnation…
Romans 8:22 says, “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” This verse paints a picture of all creation groaning and suffering like a woman enduring intense labor pains before giving birth. But what exactly does this mean? To understand this verse, we need to look at the context of Romans chapter 8. The overall theme of this chapter is the future glory that believers in Christ will experience. Paul writes about how those who are in Christ have been adopted as God’s children and are heirs with Christ (Romans…
Righteousness is a central theme in the Bible. At its core, righteousness refers to living in right relationship with God and with others according to God’s standards. The Bible reveals that true righteousness comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. The meaning of righteousness The word “righteousness” in the Bible is primarily translated from the Hebrew word tsedek and the Greek word dikaiosune. These words convey the meaning of conforming to an ethical or moral standard. Righteousness involves living in accordance with God’s laws and commands. It means doing what is just, lawful, and right in God’s eyes. Righteousness is…
The concept of receiving a “double portion” is found in a few places in the Bible, most notably when Elisha asks Elijah for a double portion of his spirit before Elijah is taken up to heaven (2 Kings 2:9). So what exactly does it mean to receive a double portion? Here are some key things to understand: It refers to an heir receiving a double inheritance In ancient Israel, when a father died, his inheritance would be divided among his sons. However, the eldest son who was to carry on his father’s name and role would receive a “double portion”…
Divination is the practice of seeking knowledge, insight, or wisdom through supernatural means. This often involves practices like astrology, numerology, fortune telling, palm reading, tarot cards, ouija boards, channeling spirits, interpreting omens or signs, and consulting mediums or psychics. The Bible has a lot to say about these types of practices. Let’s take a comprehensive look at what Scripture teaches about divination. The Old Testament View of Divination In the Old Testament, divination is strictly prohibited. Passages like Deuteronomy 18:10-12 clearly forbid engaging in practices like fortune telling, sorcery, interpreting omens, witchcraft, casting spells, mediumship, and necromancy (communicating with the…
General revelation and special revelation are two important concepts in Christian theology that deal with how God makes Himself known to humanity. Here is an overview of both types of revelation: General Revelation General revelation refers to the ways that God reveals Himself to all people universally through nature, history, and conscience. Through general revelation, all people at all times and places gain some basic knowledge of God’s existence, power, and attributes. The Bible teaches that general revelation comes through creation. Romans 1:20 states, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever…
The Gospel of Mark in the Bible provides fascinating insights into the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. As one of the four canonical gospels, Mark gives a unique perspective and raises several thought-provoking questions. Here are some key questions addressed in Mark’s account: Who was Mark? The gospel itself is anonymous but early Christian tradition uniformly affirms that the author was John Mark, a companion of the Apostle Peter (1 Peter 5:13). John Mark was the son of a woman named Mary who owned a house in Jerusalem that was used by the early believers as a meeting place…
The doctrine of eternal security, also known as “once saved, always saved,” is a debated topic among Christians. Some believe that if you have truly been saved, you can never lose your salvation, no matter what sins you commit. Others argue that this doctrine promotes an attitude of “easy believism” or gives people a license to sin since their salvation is eternally secure. So what does the Bible really teach about eternal security? Can a person who has been genuinely saved ever lose their salvation? And does having assurance of salvation lead to increased sin in a believer’s life? Salvation…
The phrase “washing of regeneration” is found in Titus 3:5, which says “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” This verse provides important insight into the nature of salvation and how we are regenerated by God. 1. Regeneration refers to being born again spiritually The word “regeneration” refers to being “born again” spiritually. When someone becomes a Christian, there is a radical change in their spiritual nature – they become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).…