The Arabic word jinn literally means “hidden from sight”. Jinn are said to be supernatural creatures that inhabit an unseen world in dimensions beyond the visible universe of humans. The Quran says that the jinn are made of a smokeless and “scorching fire”, but also physical in nature, being able to interact in a tactile manner with people and objects and also subject to punishment in the physical Fire of Hell. Like human beings, the jinn can also be good, evil, or neutrally benevolent. The jinn are mentioned frequently in the Quran and other Islamic texts. The notion of jinn…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
The Book of Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament and contains prophecies and messages delivered by the prophet Malachi. The name Malachi means “my messenger” in Hebrew. The book consists of 6 chapters and contains a series of warnings and admonishments by God to the Israelites for their sins and transgressions. Setting and Background Malachi prophesied around 430 BC after the Jewish people had returned from exile in Babylon. The temple in Jerusalem had been rebuilt under Ezra’s leadership but the worship of God had become lax and improper. There was widespread corruption among the priests and…
Positional sanctification refers to the believer’s standing before God as a result of being united with Christ. When a person puts their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, they are justified before God and declared righteous. Simultaneously, they are also sanctified, meaning set apart as holy and belonging to God. This sanctification is not something the believer achieves through effort, but rather it is granted as a gift through their spiritual union with Christ. The key Bible passages that speak to positional sanctification include: 1 Corinthians 1:2 – To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified…
The book of Daniel in the Old Testament provides intriguing details about Daniel’s life and service in Babylon under king Nebuchadnezzar. One interesting question that arises is whether Daniel and his three friends – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – were made eunuchs during their time in Babylon. The term “eunuch” generally refers to a man who has been castrated. In the ancient Near Eastern empires like Babylon, eunuchs frequently served in prestigious positions in the royal court. This was likely because their inability to produce offspring removed potential conflicts of interest or power struggles. Kings often appointed eunuchs to key…
The Bible teaches that when someone becomes a Christian, Jesus Christ himself comes to dwell in that person through the Holy Spirit. There are several key passages that unpack this profound spiritual reality. In John 14:17, Jesus told his disciples that after he left, the Holy Spirit would come to be with them and “he dwells with you and will be in you.” The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit is a special blessing given to all who put their faith in Christ. The apostle Paul describes this in Romans 8:9-11 when he says: “You, however, are not in the…
A sin of omission refers to a sin that is committed by failing to do something that should be done. It is a sin that occurs when we fail to do what we know God wants us to do. Some key points about sins of omission: A sin of omission is when we fail to do the good we know we should do (James 4:17). It is a sin committed by omission of a required act. Sins of omission go against Jesus’ teaching that loving God means keeping His commandments (John 14:15). When we know God’s will but fail to…
The question of whether a Christian should take the law into their own hands and act as a vigilante is a complex one that requires careful examination of biblical principles. At the core, it seems to hinge on how Christians should relate to governing authorities and use force or violence against perceived evildoers. There are several key considerations when evaluating this issue from a biblical perspective: 1. The Bible encourages respect for governing authorities In passages like Romans 13:1-7, Christians are instructed to submit to governing authorities which have been instituted by God. While submission is not absolute, there is…
The Sabbath is one of the most important biblical concepts, originating all the way back in Genesis at the time of creation. God rested on the seventh day, blessing it and making it holy (Genesis 2:2-3). This established the pattern of setting aside the seventh day for rest and worship. Here are some key Bible verses about the Sabbath: The Fourth Commandment Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work,…
Serving as a missionary is a noble calling, but it’s not for everyone. How can you know if God is calling you specifically to this vital ministry? Here are some biblical insights to help discern if you are being called to missions: 1. You have a burden for the lost Those called to missions have a deep concern for the spiritual state of unbelievers. Like the apostle Paul, they are “greatly distressed” for people who do not know Christ (Romans 9:2). This burden fuels their passion to share the gospel message far and wide. If you feel God putting an…
Becoming a Christian is the most important decision someone can make, but it can also be confusing to know if you truly are one. The Bible provides guidance on how to tell if someone is really a follower of Jesus Christ. Here are some key things the Bible says to look for: 1. You have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior The starting point of being a Christian is professing faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that…