Does a Christian Have to Attend Every Service a Church Has? Attending church services regularly is an important part of the Christian life. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Christians are exhorted to gather together for worship, prayer, teaching, and fellowship. However, many churches offer several services throughout the week – Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, etc. Does a Christian have to attend every single service in order to be faithful? The Bible does not explicitly…
Author: Emma Price
Samaritanism is the religion practiced by the Samaritans, a small ethnic and religious group originating from the ancient Kingdom of Israel. Here is a 9000 word overview explaining what the Bible teaches about Samaritanism: The Samaritans trace their ancestry back to the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. When the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom in 722 BC, they exiled many Israelites but also settled foreign colonists in the region. These colonists intermarried with the remaining Israelites, giving rise to the Samaritan people (2 Kings 17:24-41). The Samaritans practiced a form of ancient Israelite religion…
The phrase “the Lord is my light and my salvation” comes from Psalm 27:1, which says “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” This verse packs a lot of meaning into just a few words. First, saying “the Lord is my light” means God illuminates the way for us. Just like a flashlight shows us the path ahead in darkness, God’s truth and presence give us guidance and hope to press forward even when things seem unclear or scary. With the Lord as…
The topic of raising the dead is one that is found throughout the Bible. God demonstrates His power over death through accounts of people being brought back to life. When exploring what the Bible says about raising the dead, several key questions arise: What examples exist in the Bible of people being raised from the dead? What purpose did these miracles serve? Is raising the dead still possible today? Examples of Raising the Dead in the Bible There are several prominent examples in the Bible where God raised people from the dead. Some key examples include: Elijah and the Widow’s…
The phrase “vessels of wrath” appears in Romans 9:22, which says “What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?” (ESV). To properly understand what Paul means by “vessels of wrath,” we need to examine the context of Romans 9-11. In this section of Romans, Paul is grappling with the question of why so many of his fellow Jews have rejected Jesus as the Messiah. He begins by affirming God’s sovereignty and freedom to have mercy on whomever He chooses (9:6-29). God’s purposes in…
When Jesus was crucified, He spoke seven final statements from the cross. One of these statements was simply, “I thirst” (John 19:28). This statement came just moments before He gave up His spirit. Why would Jesus, the Son of God, say this? What was the meaning behind this phrase? To understand the significance of Jesus saying “I thirst,” we must look at the context. Jesus had been brutally beaten and crucified. He had lost a considerable amount of blood and fluids. He was undoubtedly extremely dehydrated after hours of hanging on the cross under the hot sun. His statement “I…
Narrative criticism is an approach to analyzing and interpreting biblical texts that focuses on the narrative elements and structure of the text. It views the biblical text as a form of storytelling, with plots, characters, settings, and literary devices. The goal of narrative criticism is to understand the text as a whole, looking at how the various narrative elements work together to convey meaning. Some key aspects of narrative criticism include: Plot: Narrative critics pay close attention to the sequence of events, looking at how the plot unfolds and how events are connected. Things like conflict, climax, resolution, cause and…
The concept of the “divine spark” refers to the idea that human beings have within them a trace of the divine, a connection to God. This spark is often associated with the soul or spirit within us. While the term “divine spark” does not appear verbatim in Scripture, the Bible does speak to the notion that we are created in God’s image and bear the imprint of our Creator. The divine spark represents the spiritual component of human nature. Genesis 1:27 tells us that God created mankind “in His own image.” There is something undeniably unique about human beings that…
The book of Proverbs in the Bible contains many wise sayings and advice for living a godly life. One such proverb is found in Proverbs 10:10, which states “Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin.” This verse provides insight into how certain behaviors and attitudes can lead to trouble and destruction. To fully understand this proverb, it is helpful to examine the meaning of “winking eye” in the ancient Hebrew culture. In Hebrew, the phrase translated as “winking eye” can also mean to blink the eyes, twinkle the eyes, or communicate with the…
The concept of “resting in the Lord” comes from Psalm 37:7, which says “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” (ESV). This verse encourages us to find rest, peace and security in the Lord rather than worrying about wicked people who seem to prosper. So what does it mean to truly “rest in the Lord”? Trusting God’s Sovereignty and Timing A key part of resting in the Lord is trusting in God’s complete sovereignty and perfect timing. We…