Adoption is a beautiful concept that is threaded throughout Scripture. The Bible has a lot to say about caring for orphans and adopting children into loving families. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical themes related to adoption: 1. God’s care and redemption of spiritual orphans The Bible frequently refers to unbelievers as spiritual “orphans” who are adopted into God’s family when they place their faith in Christ. Several key verses highlight this theme: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
The question of what happens to babies and young children after death is one that has been pondered and debated for centuries. For Christian parents especially, the thought that a child might not go to heaven is incredibly distressing. Thankfully, the Bible provides some insights that can offer comfort and hope. First, it’s important to recognize that all people are born with a sinful nature (Psalm 51:5). Even babies and young children, despite their innocence, have the stain of original sin passed down from Adam and Eve. However, the Bible indicates that God does not hold young children accountable for…
Sports and athletics have been an integral part of human civilization for thousands of years. From the ancient Olympic Games to the global phenomenon of modern sports, athletic competition seems ingrained in the human spirit. As Christians, how should we think about sports and athletics? What principles can guide us as we play, watch, and support various sports? The Bible does not directly address sports and athletics in detail, but it provides some helpful principles that can guide a Christian perspective on sports: Sports are a gift from God All good things ultimately come from God (James 1:17), and the…
Abiram was a man mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible as one of the leaders of a rebellion against Moses and Aaron during the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. He was a son of Eliab from the tribe of Reuben. The story of Abiram’s rebellion is told in Numbers 16. After the Exodus, the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. During this time, Korah, who was from the tribe of Levi, led 250 leaders in rebelling against the authority of Moses and Aaron. Korah was joined in this rebellion by…
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” This verse teaches us some profound truths about our identity and purpose as followers of Christ. We are God’s workmanship The word translated “workmanship” in Ephesians 2:10 is the Greek word “poiema,” which refers to something that has been made or produced by effort. Just as a potter works clay into a vessel, or an artist paints a masterpiece, God has made us into new creations in Christ. We are His handiwork, formed by Him…
The Bible is often referred to as the “Good Book” or the “Holy Bible,” but it could also rightly be called the “Great Book.” The Bible is great in many ways – in its origins, its contents, its impact, and its message. Let’s explore what makes the Bible so great. The Great Origins of the Bible The Bible is unique among religious books in how it came into being. It was written over a period of around 1,500 years by more than 40 authors from diverse backgrounds, and yet it tells one unified story centered on God’s plan to redeem…
The Matthew Bible, first published in 1537, is an important early English translation of the Bible. It was translated by William Tyndale and John Rogers and edited by John Rogers under the pseudonym “Thomas Matthew.” Here is an overview of the key features and history of the Matthew Bible: Origin and History William Tyndale was the first to translate the New Testament and parts of the Old Testament into English from the original Greek and Hebrew. However, he was executed in 1536 before he could complete the Old Testament translation. John Rogers, an associate of Tyndale, took Tyndale’s incomplete work…
In the creation account in Genesis 1, it says “And there was evening and there was morning, the first day” (Genesis 1:5). This pattern is repeated for each of the six days of creation, with the day starting with evening and ending with morning. This has led many to ask why the Bible measures a day from evening to morning, rather than our typical pattern of morning to evening. There are a few potential reasons for this: 1. It fits with the pattern of light and darkness On the first day, God created light and separated it from the darkness…
The Hallucination Theory is an attempt to explain away the resurrection of Jesus Christ by claiming that the witnesses only hallucinated seeing the risen Christ. This theory states that the disciples experienced hallucinations brought on by the grief and distress of losing their leader. The hallucinations were so vivid and real that the disciples genuinely thought they saw the risen Jesus. This theory attempts to provide a naturalistic explanation for the resurrection without accepting the supernatural. There are several problems with the Hallucination Theory: It fails to account for the empty tomb. If the resurrection appearances were just hallucinations, then…
Christian meditation is the practice of meditating according to the Bible and Christian tradition. It is focused on developing an intimate relationship with God by quieting the mind and connecting to the presence of God within. There are several types of Christian meditation practiced today. Scriptural Meditation One of the most common forms of Christian meditation is meditating on scripture. This involves carefully reading a passage from the Bible, reflecting on its meaning, and allowing it to permeate your mind and heart. The goal is to gain deeper understanding of God’s word and draw nearer to God through contemplating scriptural…