Gematria is a system of assigning numerical value to words, names and phrases based on the letters contained in those items. It originated as an exegetical method in the interpretation of the Hebrew Scriptures. The term “gematria” comes from the Greek word geometria meaning “geometry” – implying that gematria is a mathematical discipline. However, gematria is not strictly a mathematical operation, but rather an interpretive practice. The Hebrew alphabet consists of 22 letters, all consonants. The first letter of the alphabet is aleph, which has the numeric value of 1, and the last letter is tav, which has the value…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
The verse “sufficient for the day is its own trouble” comes from Matthew 6:34 in the Bible. This verse falls within Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where He teaches important principles for Christian living. The context around this verse provides insight into its meaning. In Matthew 6, Jesus instructs His followers not to worry about material needs like food, drink and clothing. He points out how God provides for the birds and flowers, and says “Are you not of more value than they?” (v.26). Jesus reassures us that God knows what we need, and will provide if we “seek first…
The relationship between salvation and good works is an important biblical doctrine. At its core, it teaches that salvation comes first, by God’s grace through faith, and then good works follow as a result. Let’s explore this doctrine in more detail: Salvation Comes First, By Grace Through Faith The Bible clearly teaches that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our own good works. Verses like Ephesians 2:8-9 state this explicitly: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a…
Celebrity pastors have become increasingly common in recent years. While many celebrity pastors sincerely desire to preach the gospel and lead people to Christ, there are potential issues that can arise when pastors attain celebrity-like status. The temptation of pride One of the most dangerous temptations for a celebrity pastor is pride. As crowds grow and book sales rise, it can be easy for pastors to become prideful and see themselves as “superstar” ministers. They may enjoy the fame and fail to give all glory to God (Jeremiah 9:23-24). A prideful heart is offensive to God (Proverbs 16:5). Pastors are…
The Bible teaches that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, the Bible also contains God’s laws and commandments that believers are expected to follow. This has led to much debate among Christians as to the relationship between law and grace, and the role of each in the life of a Christian. On one side of the debate are those who emphasize grace and freedom in Christ. They point to verses like Romans 6:14 which says, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” They…
Colossians 1:16 is a profound verse that succinctly encapsulates a key Christian teaching – that Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things, and all things were made for His purpose and glory. Understanding the meaning of this verse provides insight into the nature of Christ and God’s sovereignty over creation. The verse states: “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” (ESV) Let’s break this down phrase by phrase: “For by him all things were created”…
Bill Gothard is an evangelical Christian minister and founder of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), an organization that runs conferences, programs, and materials promoting conservative Christian values. Gothard’s teachings emphasize strict adherence to the Bible, male headship, homeschooling, and maintaining high moral standards. The IBLP runs seminars nationwide teaching its interpretations of the Bible and how to apply biblical principles to everyday life. Bill Gothard was born in 1934 in Chicago. As a young man, he felt called to Christian ministry. In 1961, at age 27, Gothard founded a youth ministry focused on teaching practical applications of the…
Mithraism was a mystery religion centered on the god Mithras that was practiced in the Roman Empire from about the 1st to the 4th century CE. Mithras was a solar deity and the central iconography involved Mithras slaying a bull. Mithraism was very popular among Roman soldiers and freedmen, which likely aided its spread throughout the empire. Here is an overview of what we know about Mithraism from the Bible and other historical sources: Origins and Spread of Mithraism The origins of Mithraism are uncertain, but most scholars believe it developed in the 1st century CE, perhaps drawing on ancient…
The question of whether Christians should play fantasy role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons is one that does not have a definitive “yes” or “no” answer according to the Bible. There are good arguments on both sides of the issue, and Christians who study the Bible carefully may arrive at different conclusions. Ultimately, deciding whether to play these types of games or not comes down to a matter of personal conscience and Christian freedom for each believer. On the one hand, some Christians argue that fantasy role-playing games are inherently problematic because of the inclusion of magic and supernatural elements.…
Genesis 3:15 reads, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” This verse comes right after the fall of man into sin in the Garden of Eden. God is speaking to the serpent who tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. This verse is packed with significance and is sometimes referred to as the “protoevangelium”, meaning the “first gospel”. The phrase “her seed” refers to a future offspring of Eve who will defeat the serpent. There has been much discussion over…
