The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of Booths or Sukkot, is one of the three major pilgrimage festivals commanded in the Torah that all Jewish males were required to observe in Jerusalem each year (Exodus 23:14-17, 34:18-23; Leviticus 23:33-43; Deuteronomy 16:13-15). It is a 7-day festival that begins on the 15th day of the seventh month (Tishri) on the biblical calendar, which typically falls in September or October on our Gregorian calendars. Here is a deep dive into everything the Bible teaches about this important Jewish holiday. Names and Meanings The Feast of Tabernacles is known by…
Author: Erin Weitzman
Door-to-door evangelism, also known as door-knocking, is a method where Christians go door-to-door in neighborhoods to share the gospel message and invite people to church. This has been a popular evangelism strategy among some Christian groups for many decades. But is it actually an effective way to reach people for Christ in today’s culture? Let’s explore what the Bible says about evangelism in general, look at some potential pros and cons of door-to-door methods, and consider how we can thoughtfully share our faith in our current context. What does the Bible say about evangelism? In the New Testament, Jesus commanded…
The Bible tells us that Abraham, one of the patriarchs of the Jewish and Christian faiths, had multiple wives over the course of his life. Based on accounts in Genesis, we can determine that Abraham had at least three wives: Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah. Sarah Sarah was Abraham’s first wife and the mother of Isaac, who would become the ancestor of the Israelites. Sarah’s story is told in Genesis chapters 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 23, and 25. She was originally called Sarai but God changed her name to Sarah in Genesis 17:15. Abraham married Sarah in Genesis…
This is a complex question that has been debated for centuries. To properly address it from a biblical perspective, we must first understand what is meant by “religion” and “opium for the masses.” The phrase “opium for the masses” refers to the idea that religion placates people and makes them docile and subservient to authority. It implies that religion is like a drug that dulls people’s critical thinking and desire for social change. This phrase was popularized by Karl Marx, who viewed religion as a tool used by the bourgeoisie to control the working class. When examining this claim from…
The Ethiopian eunuch is a figure mentioned in the New Testament book of Acts, chapter 8. He was an official in charge of the treasury of the queen of Ethiopia, known as Candace. As he was traveling in his chariot from Jerusalem back to Ethiopia, he encountered Philip, one of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles in Jerusalem. Philip explained the gospel message about Jesus to the eunuch, using a passage from the prophet Isaiah that the eunuch was reading. The eunuch believed in Jesus and was baptized by Philip. Afterward, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away,…
Elihu was a character introduced later in the Book of Job. While Job’s three friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar argued that Job must have sinned to deserve his suffering, Elihu brought a different perspective. His lengthy speeches in Job 32-37 present several key themes: God is mighty, yet just Elihu emphasized God’s unlimited power, wisdom, and righteousness. God is so high above humans that it’s presumptuous for us to question His ways (Job 33:12-13). Yet God is also just, not arbitrary in how He governs the world (Job 34:10-12). Elihu maintained that even when we don’t understand God’s purposes, we…
The Bible mentions seven different baptisms that have significance for Christians. These baptisms represent spiritual cleansing and renewal in different ways. The seven baptisms are: 1. The Baptism of Repentance John the Baptist administered a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3). This baptism symbolized repentance from sin and a desire to live righteously before God. When people were baptized by John, they confessed their sins and committed to live faithfully. John’s baptism prepared people for the coming of Jesus and His ministry. 2. The Baptism of Jesus Jesus Himself came to John to be…
The exact time of day that Jesus was crucified is not definitively stated in the Bible. However, based on the Gospel accounts and historical context, scholars have analyzed the timeline of Jesus’ final days to estimate the approximate time of His crucifixion. According to the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Jesus was crucified on the day of Preparation before the Sabbath (Matthew 27:62, Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54). This refers to Friday, the day before the Sabbath (Saturday). The Gospel of John agrees, stating that the crucifixion took place on the “day of Preparation of the Passover” (John 19:14). On…
The Bible verse Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” This powerful verse packed with meaning can provide comfort, hope, and reassurance for believers facing difficulties. Let’s explore what it means that God is our refuge, strength, and help in detail. God is Our Refuge A refuge is a safe place to run to for protection and shelter in times of danger or distress. Calling God our refuge means He is our secure shelter and fortress we can flee to when life’s storms come upon us. Just as a physical fortress shields those…
In Hinduism, an avatar refers to the incarnation or descent of a deity to earth. The term is commonly associated with Lord Vishnu, one of the main deities in Hinduism who preserves and protects the universe. Vishnu is said to have incarnated on earth in different forms or avatars to restore dharma or righteousness on earth. Here is a detailed overview of the concept of avatars in Hinduism: Meaning and Etymology The word ‘avatar’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘avatarana’ which means ‘to descend’ or ‘to alight’. It implies the deliberate descent of a deity from the spiritual realm…