The Book of 1 John is one of the general epistles, or letters, in the New Testament. It was likely written by the apostle John sometime between A.D. 85-95. The key themes of 1 John include God’s love, walking in the light, obedience, false teachers, assurance of salvation, and love for one another. Overview First John was written to encourage believers in Christ to remain faithful to the gospel and to warn against false teachers spreading heresy. John emphasizes the basics of the faith – the truth about who Jesus Christ is as the divine Son of God who took…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
Isaiah 53:3 prophecy says, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” This verse points to Jesus Christ and how he was treated during his earthly ministry. Though he is the eternal Son of God, the promised Savior, Jesus was despised and rejected by the very people he came to save. Let’s explore the meaning and significance of Christ being “despised and rejected of men.” Jesus was despised by the religious leaders When Jesus began his…
The cities of refuge were six Levitical towns in ancient Israel that provided asylum for perpetrators of accidental manslaughter. According to the laws given to Moses, anyone who unintentionally killed another person could flee to one of these cities and be protected from vengeance or retribution from the dead person’s relatives. The establishment of the cities of refuge showed how God valued human life and did not want excessive punishment for unintentional sins. They provided mercy and grace in the justice system of ancient Israel. The six cities were Kedesh, Shechem, Hebron, Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan (Joshua 20:7-8). They were…
The Bible does not specifically address the modern concept of transgenderism or cross-dressing, but it does have some relevant teachings that can provide wisdom on this topic. Here is an overview of 9000 words on what the Bible says about cross-dressing and related issues: God Created Humanity Male and Female The Bible teaches that God intentionally created humanity as male and female. Genesis 1:27 states, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” This affirms that the distinction between male and female is part of God’s…
What were the Lateran Councils? The Lateran Councils were a series of important church councils held at the Lateran Palace in Rome during the Middle Ages. There were five Lateran Councils held between the 12th and 16th centuries which addressed various theological and disciplinary issues facing the Catholic Church. Here is an overview of each of the five Lateran Councils: The First Lateran Council (1123) The First Lateran Council was called by Pope Callixtus II in 1123. The most significant action of this council was the issuing of the Concordat of Worms which ended the Investiture Controversy between the Holy…
Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is an important Christian practice that commemorates Jesus Christ’s Last Supper with his disciples before his crucifixion. Christians partake in communion to remember Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross and to signify their unity with other believers. The Bible has much to say about the meaning and practice of communion. Here are some key Bible verses about communion from the English Standard Version (ESV): Institution of the Lord’s Supper The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus Christ himself on the night before his death. The synoptic Gospels record this event:…
Tithing is the practice of giving 10% of one’s income to the church. It was established in the Old Testament as a way to support the Levites and priests who served in the temple and did not have land of their own. Tithing is often seen as an act of worship and obedience to God. Here are some key Bible verses about tithing: Old Testament Verses on Tithing Genesis 14:20 – “And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” This shows Abram (later Abraham) giving a…
The Book of 2 Thessalonians is one of the letters written by the apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica. In this letter, Paul addresses issues concerning the end times, the second coming of Christ, living a godly life, and dealing with idle and disruptive people in the church. Authorship and Date 2 Thessalonians was written by the apostle Paul, likely along with Silas and Timothy (1:1). Most scholars believe it was written around AD 51-52, shortly after 1 Thessalonians. Purpose and Occasion Paul wrote this letter for several reasons: To encourage the Thessalonians in their persecutions and trials (1:4-7)…
Should a Christian Join a Militia? The question of whether a Christian should join a militia is a complex one that requires carefully examining what the Bible teaches. At around 9,000 words, this article will comprehensively analyze the relevant biblical passages concerning violence, self-defense, submission to governing authorities, and other factors that bear on this issue. The Bible’s Teachings on Violence The Bible contains teachings that at first seem contradictory regarding the use of violence. On the one hand, there are passages that appear to promote non-violence and prohibiting retaliation. For example, Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount,…
Pride is a sin that is warned against throughout the Bible. Here are some key Bible verses about pride: Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18 ESV) This famous verse warns that pride leads to destruction. When we are prideful and haughty, thinking too highly of ourselves, it will ultimately lead to ruin. Proverbs 29:23 – Pride brings humiliation “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.” (Proverbs 29:23 ESV) Pride brings humiliation, while humility brings honor. If we…