The story of Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus is one of the most dramatic accounts in the New Testament. Prior to his encounter with the risen Christ, Saul (who also went by the Roman name Paul) had been a fierce persecutor of the early Christian church. But Jesus intervened directly in Saul’s life and utterly transformed him from an enemy of the faith into one of its greatest advocates. This radical transformation is summed up in Jesus’ words to Ananias in Acts 9:15: “But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
The Bible has a lot to say about the posture of prayer, specifically bowing and kneeling. Though prayer can take place in any posture, Scripture emphasizes bowing and kneeling as acts of reverence, humility, and submission before God. Let’s explore some key biblical passages on this topic: Examples of Bowing and Kneeling in Prayer There are many examples in the Bible of godly men and women bowing or kneeling when they pray. Here are a few: Abraham bowed himself to the earth as he prayed before the Lord (Genesis 18:1-2). Moses bowed his head and worshipped when he prayed after…
An Asherah pole was a sacred tree or pole that stood near Canaanite religious locations to honor the Ugaritic mother-goddess Asherah, consort of El. Asherah was the chief goddess of Tyre, Sidon and Elath. She was associated with the Sea and the serpent. Asherah was also worshipped as the Queen of Heaven. The word “Asherah” in the Hebrew Bible mostly refers to a sacred tree or pole set up near an altar to the god Baal. Asherah poles were often mentioned in connection with Baal, the chief male divinity of the Canaanite peoples. The Book of Kings reports that King…
James was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ and played an important role in the early Christian church. Though not as well known as figures like Peter or Paul, James provides an inspirational example of faithfulness and leadership for all believers. The Bible provides several key details about James’s background and ministry: He was the son of Zebedee and the older brother of the apostle John (Matthew 4:21). James and John were fishermen by trade before being called by Jesus (Matthew 4:21-22). James was one of Jesus’ three closest disciples, along with Peter and John, and witnessed special…
The phrase “from everlasting to everlasting” in Psalm 41:13 refers to the eternal nature of God. It emphasizes that God has no beginning or end – He is eternal. This article will explore the meaning and significance of this phrase in its biblical context. The Wider Context of Psalm 41 Psalm 41 is attributed to David. In this Psalm, David reflects on the blessedness of those who care for the poor (verses 1-3). He then shifts to cry out to God for mercy in his own affliction (verses 4-9). Despite being betrayed by close friends, David trusts that the Lord…
Christus Victor is a view of the atonement that sees Jesus Christ’s death as the means by which the powers of evil, which held humankind under their dominion, were defeated. The term comes from the Latin words “Christus Victor” which mean “Christ the Victor” or “Christ Victorious.” This view emphasizes Christ’s victory over sin, death and the devil through his death and resurrection. Let’s explore this view in more depth. Origins of Christus Victor The Christus Victor view of the atonement has its roots in the early church, with important contributions by church fathers like Irenaeus, Athanasius and Augustine. Irenaeus…
The Jezebel spirit is a term used to describe a demonic spirit of control, manipulation, and seduction that operates through people, especially women. The name comes from the Biblical figure Jezebel, who was the pagan wife of King Ahab of Israel. Jezebel promoted idolatry and killed the prophets of God (1 Kings 18:4, 13). While the Jezebel spirit can manifest through both men and women, it is often associated with certain negative female traits and behaviors. Some key characteristics of a Jezebel spirit include: Controlling and manipulative behavior Using seduction, flattery, and sex to get power over others Disregard for…
The First Nations Version (FNV) is a translation of the Bible into English that uses language and imagery familiar to Native North American cultures. It was published in 2017 and funded by Indigenous ministries. The goal of the FNV was to make Scripture more accessible and understandable to First Nations peoples in Canada and Native Americans in the United States. Origins and Purpose of the FNV The FNV was created by an interdenominational coalition of Indigenous leaders and scholars, including leaders from the Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship. The translation was accomplished by Native speakers and approved by First Nations chiefs and…
The phrase “the church is the pillar and foundation of the truth” comes from 1 Timothy 3:15, which says “if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” This verse teaches that the church plays a vital role in supporting and proclaiming the truth of God’s Word. There are a few key things we can understand about the church from this verse: The church belongs to God – It is called “God’s household” and “the church of the…
Faith in God is trusting and believing in God even when we cannot see or fully understand Him. The Bible teaches that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Here is an overview of what the Bible says about faith in God: Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Faith means trusting in God’s promises, even though we have not yet received what He has promised. Faith is being sure of the salvation that God offers through Jesus Christ, although we…