The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ serves as our advocate before God the Father. This is an incredibly important role that Jesus fulfills on behalf of all who trust in Him for salvation. But what exactly does it mean for Jesus to be our advocate? Let’s explore this biblical concept more fully. The Meaning of “Advocate” The Greek word translated “advocate” in reference to Jesus is parakletos. This word can mean one who is called alongside to help, a legal advocate, an intercessor, a helper, or a comforter. The basic idea is that an advocate is someone who pleads your…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
The question of whether the six days of creation in Genesis chapter 1 were literal 24-hour days or longer periods of time has been debated by Christians for centuries. There are several viewpoints on this issue, each with biblical support. Here is an overview of the main interpretations: The 24-hour view This view takes the six days of creation as regular, literal 24-hour days. Supporters of this view make the following arguments: The Hebrew word for “day” (yom) when used with a number (first day, second day, etc.) normally refers to a regular day. God’s creation week is compared to…
Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved and well-known psalms in the Bible. It powerfully expresses the comfort, security, and peace that believers have in knowing God as their shepherd. The psalm centers around the metaphor of God as a shepherd and believers as His sheep. Understanding this imagery helps unlock the rich meaning in this psalm. The Shepherd Metaphor in Scripture The Bible commonly uses shepherd and sheep imagery to describe God’s relationship with His people. In the Old Testament, God is often called the Shepherd of Israel (Psalm 80:1; Ezekiel 34:11-16). Jesus also referred to Himself as…
Christianity is unique in several key ways that set it apart from other religions and belief systems. Here are some of the most significant things that make Christianity stand out: 1. Jesus Christ as God Incarnate Central to Christianity is the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, one with God the Father, and the second person of the Trinity. Christians believe that Jesus is God in human flesh, fully divine and fully human at the same time. His incarnation is unique among all religious figures. Jesus made audacious claims that no other religious leader has made, such…
The Bible does not provide a definitive age for the earth. However, by examining the Genesis creation account and genealogies in the Old Testament, we can make reasonable deductions about the approximate age of the earth from a Biblical perspective. The creation account in Genesis 1 states that God created the heavens and the earth in six days, and rested on the seventh day. The Hebrew word for “day” used here can refer to a 24-hour period or a longer, indefinite period of time. Some interpret these as 24-hour days, others as longer epochs of time. Either interpretation allows for…
The dispensation of conscience refers to the period of time between Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden and God’s calling of Abraham. During this dispensation, human beings were responsible for knowing right from wrong based on their conscience, the inherent sense of morality placed in man by God (Romans 2:14-15). After Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, sin entered the world. No longer innocent, Adam and Eve were banished from Eden and had to live with the consequences of their decision (Genesis 3:23-24). Outside of the perfection of the Garden, humanity now had…
Discouragement is an inevitable part of life that we all face at some point. It can stem from various sources – difficulties in our circumstances, challenges in relationships, failures in pursuit of goals, or even attacks from the enemy to diminish our zeal and joy. Discouragement weighs down our spirit and can hinder us from moving forward in faith. But the Bible offers hope, truth and strategies for overcoming seasons of discouragement. Fundamentally, abiding in Christ is the key to rising above any discouragement that comes our way. Recognize the source of discouragement The first step in overcoming discouragement is…
The phrase “all have sinned” comes from Romans 3:23 which states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This verse teaches a key biblical truth that all human beings are sinners and fall short of God’s perfect standard of righteousness. But what exactly does it mean that “all have sinned”? Let’s take a closer look at this important doctrine. The Universality of Sin When Romans 3:23 states that “all have sinned”, it is making a universal statement about the entire human race. Every single person who has ever lived, except Jesus Christ, has sinned against…
The question of whether the United States is a “Christian nation” is complex and multifaceted. There are several key considerations when examining this issue from a biblical perspective: 1. The U.S. Constitution and Founding Documents The Constitution and other founding documents of the U.S. do not explicitly establish Christianity or any religion as the official faith of the nation. The First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” This separation of church and state allows for religious freedom. However, many founding fathers were Christians and their biblical values influenced…
The Book of Adam and Eve, also known as the Conflict of Adam and Eve with Satan, is an apocryphal work that details the lives of Adam and Eve after their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Though not considered canonical by any major Christian denomination, the text provides intriguing narrative details about the first human couple not found in the Bible. Here is an overview of this extra-biblical work and what it contains: Overview The Book of Adam and Eve is an ancient Christian text that tells the story of Adam and Eve after they were expelled from paradise.…