Moses’ seat refers to the seat of authority occupied by the scribes and Pharisees in Jesus’ day. This phrase is found in Matthew 23:2, where Jesus tells his disciples and the crowds: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat.” The scribes were experts in the Law of Moses and its interpretation, while the Pharisees were a Jewish sect known for their strict observance of religious rituals and traditions. Together, these groups held positions of authority and influence among the Jewish people. Sitting on “Moses’ seat” meant these religious leaders had successors to Moses’ authority to teach God’s law…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
Being a son of Abraham is an important concept in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament. It refers to those who share in the faith of Abraham and are part of the covenant God made with him. Here is an overview of what it means biblically to be a son of Abraham: 1. It means having faith like Abraham Abraham is held up as the prime example of one who had faith in God. God called Abraham to leave his home and go to a new land, and Abraham trusted and obeyed God even when he did not know…
Jehoiada was an important priest and leader in the Bible who played a pivotal role during the reigns of King Joash and King Jehoash of Judah. Here is an overview of Jehoiada’s life and ministry as described in the Bible: Jehoiada’s Family Background Jehoiada was from the priestly line of Aaron. He was the son of Benaiah and the father of Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20-22). He was married to Jehosheba, who was the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of King Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 22:11). This connection to the royal family was significant in Jehoiada’s later interactions with the kings…
Feeling saved or unsaved can be a struggle for many Christians. Even if we have put our faith in Jesus, there may still be times when we don’t feel secure in our salvation. This article will examine what the Bible says about assurance of salvation and offer guidance for those who struggle with doubt. Salvation is by Grace Through Faith The Bible clearly teaches that we are saved by God’s grace through our faith in Christ, not by our works or feelings (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our salvation rests securely in what Jesus did for us on the cross, not on our…
The Gospel of Mary (Magdalene) is an early Christian text discovered in the late 19th century. It is thought to have been written in the 2nd century AD and contains conversations between the resurrected Jesus and his disciples, with a special focus on Mary Magdalene. The manuscript was likely authored by an early Christian group known as the Gnostics, who revered Mary Magdalene as a leading disciple of Jesus. Only fragments of the original Gospel of Mary text survive today, as part of the Berlin Codex found in Egypt in 1896. Out of an estimated 8 pages, just the first…
The statement “my redeemer lives” spoken by Job in Job 19:25 is one of the most well-known and profound verses in the entire book of Job. After suffering immense losses, pain, and accusations from his friends, Job makes this bold declaration of faith and hope in his redeemer. But what exactly did Job mean when he made this statement? Let’s explore the context and significance of this verse. The Context of Job’s Statement The book of Job tells the story of a righteous man named Job who experienced terrible suffering allowed by God to test his faith. Job lost his…
Weight loss is a complex issue that intersects with many aspects of the Christian faith. A biblically-grounded perspective on weight loss begins with recognizing that our bodies are gifts from God and temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). As Christians, we are called to honor God with our bodies by pursuing healthy habits and avoiding gluttony or obsession with food and weight (Proverbs 23:20-21, Philippians 3:19). However, we must also approach weight loss with grace, avoiding judgmental attitudes toward those struggling with weight (Luke 6:37). The Bible affirms the value of self-control and discipline for spiritual growth (1…
The story of Jesus saying “Do not fear; only believe” is found in Mark chapter 5 verses 21-43. Here’s a quick summary: Jesus had just returned from the region of the Gerasenes where He had cast out demons from a man into a herd of pigs (Mark 5:1-20). A large crowd gathered around Jesus when He arrived back on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. One of the synagogue rulers named Jairus came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading for Him to come heal his sick 12-year-old daughter who was near death (vv. 22-23). Jesus went with him,…
The story of David and Nabal is found in 1 Samuel 25. David was on the run from King Saul and had been protecting Nabal’s shepherds and flocks while they were near Carmel. When David heard that Nabal was shearing his sheep, he sent ten young men to greet Nabal and remind him of how David’s men had protected Nabal’s flocks. David’s men asked Nabal to share whatever food he could spare as payment. However, Nabal harshly refused, dismissing David as a runaway slave. When David heard this, he became angry and prepared to attack Nabal. Nabal’s wife Abigail got…
The Bible as we know it today exists in many translations and versions, but what about the original texts? Do we have access to the actual first manuscripts that the biblical authors penned thousands of years ago? Let’s explore what the Bible says about its own preservation throughout history. The Old Testament The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and some Aramaic. The oldest existing Hebrew manuscript is the Dead Sea Scrolls, which date back to around 150-100 BC. These scrolls contain fragments of every Old Testament book except Esther. The remarkable thing is how accurately these ancient Dead…