The Bible provides great insight into how people knew about God prior to the compilation of the Biblical canon. While the Bible itself was put together over many centuries, the texts refer to God’s interactions with humankind from the very beginning. According to Genesis, the first book of the Bible, God created the heavens, the earth, and humanity. He spoke directly with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden prior to the fall. This means the first people knew about God through direct communication with Him. After being banished from Eden for disobeying God, Adam and Eve still taught…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
The verse in question, 1 Peter 3:21, states: “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” This verse has led to much debate within Christianity regarding whether baptism is necessary for salvation. Those who believe baptism is required for salvation cite this verse as evidence. However, there are several factors to consider when evaluating what Peter meant. The Context of 1 Peter 3:21 First, it is important to understand the broader context of this verse.…
When studying the Bible, it’s important to understand the difference between descriptive and prescriptive passages. A descriptive passage simply describes something that happened, while a prescriptive passage gives a command or instruction that followers of God should obey. Many stories in the Bible are descriptive – they tell us about events that took place and actions that people took. For example, the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles give historical accounts of various kings and nations in the Old Testament. These books describe what happened during particular reigns and military conflicts.…
Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a well-known psychological theory proposed in 1943 that organizes human needs into a pyramid structure. At the base are our most basic physiological needs like food, water and shelter. Higher up are needs for safety, love and belonging, esteem, and at the very top, self-actualization. Though not explicitly biblical, there are some parallels and overlap between Maslow’s theory and biblical principles. The Bible affirms our physical needs for food, water and shelter. Jesus taught that we should not worry about what we will eat or drink or wear, because God will provide for these…
Hezekiah was the 13th king of Judah, reigning from around 715 BC to 686 BC. He is described in 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah as a righteous king who trusted in God and instituted religious reforms in Judah. Here is an overview of Hezekiah’s life and accomplishments according to the Bible: Hezekiah’s Family Background Hezekiah was the son of King Ahaz and Abijah (2 Chronicles 29:1). Ahaz was an unrighteous king who promoted idolatry and even sacrificed his own son (2 Kings 16:3). But Hezekiah did not follow in his father’s footsteps. His mother Abijah was the daughter of…
John Nelson Darby was an influential figure in the origins of the Plymouth Brethren movement and dispensationalism. He was born in London, England in 1800 and died in 1882 at the age of 82. Darby was educated as a lawyer but soon left that profession to serve in the ministry. He was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1826 but soon became dissatisfied with the Church of England and left to start the Plymouth Brethren movement. The Plymouth Brethren emphasized simplicity in worship, rejected formal hierarchy, and encouraged lay participation. Darby traveled extensively as an evangelist and teacher for the…
In recent years, there have been numerous reports from around the world of strange sounds coming from the sky that have been described as sounding like trumpets or horns. These so-called “sky trumpets” or “sky quakes” have sparked intense speculation about their possible causes and whether they could be harbingers of the biblical end times. The Bible does speak about trumpet-like sounds being associated with the end times and the second coming of Jesus Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16, it says that when Jesus returns, “The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice…
The issue of whether it is biblical for a church to seek 501(c)(3) incorporation status from the government is complex and debated among Christians. This 9000 word article will examine relevant Bible passages, analyze the key considerations around this topic, and explain different perspectives Christians hold. What is 501(c)(3) status? 501(c)(3) is a section of the US tax code that allows nonprofit organizations to be exempt from some federal income taxes. Churches that get 501(c)(3) status from the IRS are legally nonprofit organizations. They don’t have to pay federal income tax on donations and other income. People who donate can…
Self-actualization is the process of fully realizing one’s true potential and capabilities. According to the Bible, we are all created in God’s image and are endowed with unique gifts and talents. As Christians, reaching our highest potential involves using our God-given abilities to glorify Him and serve others. The concept of self-actualization comes from humanist psychology and was popularized by Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Maslow theorized that self-actualization was the pinnacle of psychological development, achieved after satisfying basic needs like food, safety, love and self-esteem. However, the Bible presents a different view – one where realizing our full human…
The verse 1 John 4:18 says “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” This is a profound statement about the nature of love and its relationship to fear. Let’s break down the meaning and significance of this verse. 1. Love and fear are incompatible The first part of the verse states “There is no fear in love.” This tells us that where genuine love exists, fear is eliminated. Love does not produce or cause fear. Rather, love is the…