The book of Hebrews in the New Testament contains a rich theology of Jesus Christ as the ultimate high priest who offered himself as a sacrifice once for all. Hebrews 7:27 highlights this truth: “He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.” So what does it mean that Jesus’ sacrifice was “once for all”? Jesus’ sacrifice was singular and unrepeatable The sacrifices performed by the Levitical priests in the Old Testament were…
Author: Emma Price
The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is a small Baptist church known for its extremely hostile stance against homosexuality and other practices it deems sinful. The church is located in Topeka, Kansas and was founded in 1955 by Pastor Fred Phelps. Though the WBC refers to itself as a “primitive Baptist” church, most other Baptist organizations have denounced the WBC and its practices. The WBC first gained national attention in the 1990s when they began protesting prominently at funerals, concerts, and other public events. Their protests often involved holding signs with antagonistic slogans such as “God Hates Fags” and “Thank God…
The book of Proverbs in the Bible contains many wise sayings and advice for living a godly life. One of these nuggets of wisdom is found in Proverbs 15:22, which says “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” (ESV). This proverb speaks to the value of seeking input, advice, and counsel from multiple wise people when making plans and important decisions. There are several reasons why a “multitude of counselors” is deemed valuable in Scripture: 1. No one person has all wisdom and knowledge Human beings are limited in their perspective and understanding. “For we know in…
In the Bible, burial places and tombs were incredibly important for a variety of spiritual, cultural, and practical reasons. Here is an overview of some of the key reasons why burial places had such significance in biblical times: Proper burial showed honor and respect Giving someone a proper burial was considered one of the greatest signs of honor and respect in the biblical world. When loved ones died, it was important to mourn them, prepare their body for burial, and lay them to rest in a tomb or grave. For example, when Rachel died in childbirth, “Jacob set up a…
In Luke 13:4, Jesus refers to an incident where eighteen people died when the tower of Siloam fell on them. This reference occurs within a larger discussion Jesus was having about repentance and God’s judgment. Specifically, some people had asked Jesus about a group of Galileans who had been killed by Pilate while offering sacrifices. The people wanted to know if these victims had suffered this fate because they were more sinful than others. Jesus responded that they were not more sinful, and that unless his listeners repented, they would likewise perish (Luke 13:1-3). Jesus then immediately refers to the…
What does it mean to take heed lest you fall (1 Corinthians 10:12)? The verse 1 Corinthians 10:12 says “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” This verse contains an important warning for believers to be on guard against spiritual pride and complacency. The surrounding context provides some key insights into the meaning and application of this verse. 1. Don’t Be Overconfident in Your Own Spiritual Standing In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul is addressing issues of temptation and idolatry that were impacting the Corinthian church. In verses 1-10, he reminds them of Israel’s disobedience…
The death of a child is one of the most painful experiences any parent can face. As Christians, we find hope and comfort in God’s Word at a time of deep grief and loss. Though nothing can fill the void left behind, Scripture provides wisdom, perspective and reassurance as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Accept That Grief Is Normal and Necessary When faced with the devastating loss of a child, shock, denial, anger, guilt, despair and deep sadness are normal and expected reactions. Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us there is “a time to weep, and a…
The dove is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Holy Spirit in Christianity. There are several reasons why the dove has become so closely associated with the Third Person of the Trinity. 1. The dove’s appearance at Jesus’ baptism The New Testament Gospels describe the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus like a dove when he was baptized by John the Baptist. Matthew 3:16 says, “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to…
In Matthew 7:15, Jesus warns his followers: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” This metaphor of false prophets as wolves in sheep’s clothing is a vivid illustration that conveys an important truth: not everyone claiming to speak God’s word actually does. To understand Jesus’ warning, it’s helpful to provide some context. In the first century AD, prophecy was common in both Jewish and Greco-Roman religious circles. Prophets claimed to bring messages directly from God or the gods. Some prophets wandered from place to place, relying on the charity of those…
The Bible has a lot to say about forgiveness and how we should handle being wronged by others. There are many verses that encourage forgiveness, but the Bible does not specifically tell us to “forgive and forget.” Rather, it promotes seeking justice when needed, while also extending mercy and grace to those who have wronged us. There are many verses in the Bible that encourage forgiveness. Jesus teaches us to forgive others in Matthew 6:14-15: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will…