Fathers play a vital role in the family and in raising children according to biblical principles. Here are some key Bible verses about fathers and their responsibilities: Fathers instructing and teaching children Ephesians 6:4 – Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
The Bible has a lot to say about success and what it means to live a successful life according to God’s standards. True success in the Bible is not defined by worldly measures like wealth, fame, power, or status. Rather, success is determined by faithfulness, obedience, and bringing glory to God. Here are some key themes in the Bible regarding success: Success comes from God All blessings and successes come from God, not our own efforts. We must rely on God and seek His will above all else. “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in…
Wisdom is a highly valued virtue in the Bible. Scripture encourages believers to pursue wisdom, which begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). Wise living leads to blessings, while foolishness leads to destruction. Here is an overview of some of the many Bible verses that discuss wisdom: The book of Proverbs The book of Proverbs contains extensive teachings about wisdom. Written mainly by King Solomon, Proverbs uses poetic couplets and pithy sayings to convey moral truths and life principles. Some key verses on wisdom in Proverbs include: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools…
Nestorianism is a Christological doctrine, which emphasizes the disunion between the human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It originated from the teachings of Nestorius, Patriarch of Constantinople from 428–431 AD. Nestorius rejected the long-established title of Theotokos (“God-bearer”) for Mary. He argued that she should be called Christotokos (“Christ-bearer”) instead, insisting that she only bore Christ’s human nature and not his divine nature. Nestorius also articulated the doctrine that in Christ there were two separate persons – one divine and one human. He taught that Jesus was a common man who was “assumed” by the divine Logos, rather than…
The phrase “pillars of the earth” appears in several places in the Bible, primarily in the Old Testament. It is a metaphorical expression referring to foundational elements that uphold or support the earth. While the Bible does not explicitly define what these “pillars” are, scholars have offered various interpretations over the years. Meaning and Usage of “Pillars of the Earth” The imagery of the earth resting on pillars or foundations is found in several ancient Near Eastern cultures and mythologies. In the Bible, the pillars of the earth are first mentioned in 1 Samuel 2:8 (ESV): “He raises up the…
A Heave Offering: An Overview of Biblical Teachings The concept of a “heave offering” originates in the Old Testament books of Exodus and Leviticus, which outline various offerings and sacrifices mandated by God for the Israelites. A heave offering was a specific type of offering, set apart and presented to God. The word “heave” in Hebrew means to lift up and remove. So a heave offering refers to a portion that was lifted up as an offering to the Lord. There are over 50 mentions of heave offerings throughout Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and other Old Testament books. While heave offerings…
The Bible makes it clear that worshipping the sun or any created thing is idolatry and an abomination to God. God alone is worthy of worship, as He is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1). The Bible condemns the worship of the sun, moon, stars and all of the heavenly host (Deuteronomy 4:19). Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about sun worship: God Condemns Sun Worship In Deuteronomy 17:2-5, God commands that anyone who worships the sun, moon or stars should be stoned to death. This shows how seriously God takes idolatry and false worship. Other…
The concept of a state church, where a particular Christian denomination or church is officially endorsed and supported by the government, has been practiced in various forms throughout history. However, there are differing views among Christians as to whether this model is biblical or not. Here is an overview of the key biblical considerations around state churches. Arguments in Favor of State Churches Some of the main biblical arguments used to defend state churches include: Israel as a theocracy – In the Old Testament, Israel functioned as a theocratic state where church and state were essentially one. This sets a…
Classism is the belief that people can be categorized based on social class or economic status, with certain classes being inherently superior or inferior to others. Though the Bible does not directly address classism, it does offer principles regarding God’s view of all people and how followers of Christ should treat others. All People Are Equal Before God A foundational teaching of the Bible is that all humans, regardless of social status, are made in God’s image and have inherent value and dignity (Genesis 1:27). Class distinctions that elevate some people over others go against this principle of equality before…
This is a fascinating and often misunderstood statement that Jesus makes in John 14:12: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” At first glance, it seems impossible that anyone could do greater works than Jesus Christ himself! However, when we examine the context and meaning behind Jesus’ words, we see that there are reasonable explanations for how Christians can fulfill this verse. The Context of John 14:12 First, it’s important to understand the context…