The phrase “accepting Christ” is commonly used in evangelical Christian circles to refer to the act of becoming a Christian by placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ. However, this exact phrase does not appear verbatim in the Bible. So why is it so prevalent if it’s not directly biblical? There are a few reasons this language developed: 1. The Bible emphasizes believing in and receiving Christ for salvation While the precise phrase “accepting Christ” is absent, the Bible repeatedly stresses the need to believe in Jesus Christ in order to receive the gift of salvation (John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Romans…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
Does a person/ministry need a spiritual covering? The question of whether a person or ministry needs a “spiritual covering” is one that has been debated amongst Christians for many years. Those who support the idea of spiritual covering argue that God’s design is for every believer and ministry to be accountable to and under the authority of another leader or ministry. Those against this teaching say it has no biblical basis and can lead to abuse and unhealthy dynamics. To understand this issue, we first need to define what is meant by “spiritual covering.” In general, those who advocate spiritual…
Cyrus was the ruler of the Persian Empire in the 6th century BC, under whom the Babylonian captivity of the Jews ended. Cyrus plays an important role in the history of the Jewish people and is mentioned 23 times in various Bible books. Here is an overview of the key events and Bible verses related to Cyrus: Cyrus’ decree to allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem After conquering Babylon in 539 BC, Cyrus issued a decree in his first year of reign allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This ended the 70-year Babylonian…
The sign of the cross is a ritualistic hand gesture made by many Christians to affirm their faith and bless themselves. It is often accompanied by spoken or mental recitation of Trinitarian formulae. This ritual has roots back to early Christianity and continues to be widely practiced today across various Christian denominations. The most common method of making the sign of the cross today involves using the right hand to touch the forehead, then the middle of the chest, then the left shoulder, and finally the right shoulder. While doing so, a person will say “In the name of the…
Apollos is a figure mentioned several times in the New Testament, most notably in the book of Acts and in some of Paul’s letters. Here is an overview of what the Bible tells us about Apollos: Apollos in Acts 18 The first time Apollos is introduced is in Acts 18:24-28. This passage tells us several key things about him: – He was from Alexandria, a major cultural and intellectual center in the ancient world. As an Alexandrian Jew, Apollos would have been well-educated and articulate. – He was an eloquent man and well-versed in the Old Testament scriptures. The text…
Forgiveness is a central theme in the Bible. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, we see God’s immense capacity to forgive sinful humanity. The Bible makes it clear that all people have sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23). Yet God, in His grace and mercy, has provided forgiveness and redemption through Jesus Christ. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about forgiveness and how we can receive it. Old Testament Basis for Forgiveness In the Old Testament, God instituted an elaborate sacrificial system to deal with sin and make atonement. When people…
The Parable of the Leaven is found in Matthew 13:33, Mark 4:30-32, and Luke 13:18-21. In this parable, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to yeast that a woman mixes into a large amount of flour until the yeast works through all the dough. This parable illustrates how the gospel message will spread throughout the world. The Parable of the Leaven in Matthew In Matthew 13, Jesus tells the Parable of the Leaven immediately after explaining the Parable of the Mustard Seed. In Matthew 13:33, Jesus says, “He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that…
The Good News Mission is an evangelical Christian organization founded in South Korea in the 1960s. Their beliefs are rooted in the Bible and focused on spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. History and Origins The Good News Mission was founded in Seoul, South Korea by Rev. Ock Soo Park in 1963. Park had a dramatic conversion experience after attending a Billy Graham evangelistic rally in Seoul in the late 1950s. He felt called to preach the gospel and started holding revival meetings that grew into the Good News Mission organization. The Good News Mission spread rapidly…
The Bible has a lot to say about submission and authority. God has established an order of authority that we are called to follow for our good and His glory. The key passages that discuss submission in the Bible are: Submission to Governing Authorities Romans 13:1-7 makes it clear that we are to submit to governing authorities, as they have been instituted by God. We are to obey the laws of the land and the leaders that God has placed over us. The only exception is if the authorities require us to disobey God (Acts 5:29). Even corrupt leaders are…
Is being drunk in the Spirit a biblical experience? The topic of being “drunk in the Spirit” is one that generates a lot of discussion and disagreement among Christians. Some believe it is a genuine spiritual experience, while others are skeptical or see it as unbiblical. In this approximately 9,000 word article, we will explore what the Bible does and does not say about the concept of spiritual drunkenness. What Does It Mean to Be “Drunk in the Spirit”? The phrase “drunk in the Spirit” refers to an experiential phenomenon common in some charismatic and Pentecostal circles. It involves exhibiting…