The Bible outlines several important qualifications for those who oversee and shepherd a church. While no pastor is perfect, Scripture provides clear standards for evaluating potential leaders in the church. Blameless and Above Reproach A pastor should be “above reproach” and “blameless” (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6-7). This does not mean they are sinless, but that there is nothing major in their life or character that would disqualify them from ministry. Their reputation and behavior should not detract from their ministry or bring shame upon Christ’s name. Husband of One Wife A pastor should be “the husband of one wife”…
Author: Emma Price
The Bible contains various passages that mention jewelry and offer guidance on its proper use. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses about jewelry: Genesis 24:22 – Rebekah receives a gold nose ring When Abraham’s servant meets Rebekah at the well and realizes she is the one meant for Isaac, he gives her a gold nose ring weighing half a shekel, along with two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels. This shows jewelry being given as a gift and sign of blessing. When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing…
The laws of kosher in Judaism have prohibited the consumption of meat and dairy together for thousands of years. This dietary law stems from passages in the Torah and has become an integral part of keeping kosher today. Understanding the origins and logic behind this law is key to appreciating the larger framework of biblical dietary rules. In examining why eating dairy and meat together is not kosher, we will look at the biblical sources for this prohibition, the historical interpretations and practices around it, the spiritual symbolism of separating meat and dairy, and the logistical impacts this rule has…
Idolatry is a major theme throughout the Bible. Both the Old and New Testaments speak out strongly against idolatry, which is worshiping anyone or anything other than the one true God. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages about idolatry: The Ten Commandments The Ten Commandments given to Moses include strong prohibitions against idolatry: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You…
What does it mean to be saved by grace? Grace is a central concept in Christian theology that refers to the unmerited favor and mercy that God shows humanity. Salvation by grace means that God saves people not based on their own merits or works, but purely by his own gracious choice. This doctrine contrasts with the belief that salvation must be earned through good works or spiritual effort. The Bible clearly teaches that people are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Passages like Ephesians 2:8-9 state this unambiguously: “For by grace you have been saved…
Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday or Great Friday, is the Friday right before Easter Sunday which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. It is a very solemn day for Christians as they reflect on the sacrificial death of Jesus to pay for the sins of humanity. The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus was crucified and died on a Friday. All four gospels record this event (Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19). After Jesus’ death, his body was removed from the cross and hastily buried since the Sabbath was approaching. On the…
The age of Isaac when Abraham almost sacrificed him is not explicitly stated in the Bible. However, based on the chronology and timeline presented in Genesis, we can make reasonable deductions. Here is an analysis of around 9000 words exploring what the Bible shows regarding Isaac’s age at the time of his near-sacrifice by Abraham in Genesis 22. Genesis 21 covers the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah in their old age, as God had promised. Verse 5 states that Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born. Genesis 22 then narrates the test of Abraham some time…
The Negev is a desert region in southern Israel that is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. Here is an overview of the significance of the Negev in the biblical narrative: The Negev as Part of the Promised Land When God first promised the land of Canaan to Abraham, the boundaries were described as stretching “from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates” (Genesis 15:18). This encompassed the Negev region. Later, when the boundaries of the Promised Land were reiterated to Moses, the southern border was more specifically delineated as extending to the “wilderness of Zin”…
Felix is mentioned in the New Testament book of Acts as the Roman governor of Judea from around 52-60 AD. He plays a role in the trials of the apostle Paul recorded in Acts 23-24. The first reference to Felix is in Acts 23, where the apostle Paul has been seized by the Jews in Jerusalem and nearly killed. The Roman tribune Claudius Lysias intervenes and brings Paul before the Sanhedrin for questioning. When arguments break out, Claudius decides to bring Paul before Felix for trial (Acts 23:23-24). Felix is described as the governor of Judea. As a Roman governor…
The phrase “the blind leading the blind” is found in Matthew 15:14, where Jesus says, “Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” This metaphorical statement provides insight into Jesus’ view of the religious leaders of his day and serves as a warning for all. The Context To understand the meaning and significance of this statement, it’s important to look at the broader context. In Matthew 15, Jesus is confronted by some Pharisees and scribes who question why his disciples do not follow the ceremonial hand-washing traditions of…