Charles Taze Russell, also known as Pastor Russell, was an important religious figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania on February 16, 1852. Russell was raised a Congregationalist but later drifted away from organized religion. Through his own Bible study, he concluded that many mainstream Christian doctrines contradicted the Bible. This led him to found a Bible study group in Allegheny in the 1870s that eventually grew into the worldwide Bible Student movement. In 1879, Russell began publishing Zion’s Watch Tower magazine to promote his biblical interpretations. This magazine was the predecessor…
Author: Emma Price
The idea of writing God’s laws on doorframes, gates, and foreheads originates from several verses in the Old Testament. This symbolic action points to the importance of having God’s commandments constantly before us and embedded in our hearts and minds. The Significance of Doorframes and Gates In Deuteronomy 6:9, Moses instructs the Israelites: “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” This refers to the commands that God had given his people,summarized in the Ten Commandments and expanded upon in the rest of the Law. Doorframes and gates were highly visible locations where the…
In the Bible, the high priest held a central religious role in ancient Israelite society. As the highest-ranking member of the priestly class, the high priest served as the chief administrator of the sacrificial system centered around the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem. The high priest also mediated between God and the people through various rituals and offerings. Here is an overview of the key aspects of the biblical high priest’s role and duties: Mediator Between God and People One of the high priest’s primary roles was to serve as a mediator between God and the Israelite people.…
The Bible teaches that all people are sinful and in need of salvation. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin separates us from God and leads to spiritual death (Romans 6:23). Left in this state, we face eternal separation from God. Thankfully, God desires all people to be saved and provides the way through Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:3-4; John 14:6). Here are some key reasons the Bible gives for why we need salvation: 1. We are all sinners The Bible is clear that every human being is a sinner (Romans…
The verse in question, 1 Peter 4:6, states: “For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.” This verse has generated much discussion over what it means that the gospel was preached to “those who are dead.” Here is an in-depth look at the possible interpretations of this cryptic verse. Background on 1 Peter First, some background on 1 Peter will be helpful for understanding the context of this verse. 1 Peter was a letter…
Testing the spirits refers to the practice of examining spiritual teachings, experiences, and manifestations to determine if they are from God or from some other source. This concept comes from 1 John 4:1 which says “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” There are a few key reasons why Christians are instructed to test the spirits: Not everything supernatural or spiritual is from God – There are deceiving spirits and false prophets who can perform signs and wonders to lead…
The Gospel Coalition (TGC) is an evangelical Christian organization that seeks to promote and defend the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was founded in 2007 by prominent evangelical leaders such as Tim Keller, D.A. Carson, and Don Carson. The coalition’s founding documents outline several key convictions that guide its work: The primacy of the gospel – The gospel of Jesus Christ is central to Christianity and should be the focal point of all ministry efforts. A commitment to Reformed theology – TGC embraces Reformed theology and its emphasis on the sovereignty of God. Cultural engagement – Christians should thoughtfully engage…
A hedge of protection is a concept found in the Bible that refers to God’s spiritual protection and deliverance from harm. The imagery of a hedge comes from Job 1:10, where Satan tells God that Job is protected by a “hedge” that God has placed around him. This hedge protects Job from calamity and harm. The idea is that just as a physical hedge or barrier protects property or livestock, God can create a spiritual hedge of protection around His people. This hedge blocks demonic attacks, shields from calamity, and prevents the enemy from gaining access to inflict harm. It…
To glorify God means to honor, praise, and exalt Him as the one true God. It involves recognizing His majestic holiness, His supreme authority, His infinite power, and His surpassing worthiness. The Bible teaches that all of creation is meant to bring glory to God, and as His followers, we are called to glorify Him with our lives. Here is an in-depth look at what it means to glorify God: Acknowledging God’s Attributes To glorify God, we must start by acknowledging who He is. God is described in Scripture as holy (Isaiah 6:3), sovereign (Psalm 115:3), all-powerful (Jeremiah 32:17), all-knowing…
Déjà vu is a mysterious phenomenon that many people have experienced at some point in their lives. It involves having the strong sensation that a new situation is very familiar, even though you consciously know you have never experienced it before. Some key questions about déjà vu from a spiritual perspective include: Is it a sign from God? Some wonder if déjà vu is a supernatural message from God or a glimpse into a past life. However, the Bible does not indicate God uses déjà vu to communicate with us. While it feels significant when it happens, déjà vu is…