The Bible mentions spirits in prison a few times, most notably in 1 Peter 3:19-20, which says “By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” Based on this passage, it appears the spirits in prison refer to the disobedient people who lived during the time of Noah but rejected God’s call to repentance through Noah’s preaching. As a result, they perished in the Flood.…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
Divine Mercy Sunday is a Roman Catholic feast day celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. It is based on the devotional writings of Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who received visions and messages from Jesus Christ. In these visions, Jesus requested that Faustina help establish a feast day devoted to God’s divine mercy, focusing on God’s loving forgiveness for sinners who turn back to Him. The main themes associated with Divine Mercy Sunday are forgiveness, mercy, love, and renewal. Jesus emphasized to Faustina that humanity desperately needs God’s mercy, and told her that “The soul that will go to…
The Mennonites are a Protestant Christian group that traces its origins to the Anabaptist movement in 16th-century Europe. The name “Mennonite” comes from Menno Simons, an early leader in the Anabaptist movement. Here is an overview of Mennonite history, beliefs, and practices: History of the Mennonites The Mennonite tradition emerged out of the Anabaptist movement during the Protestant Reformation in the early 16th century. Anabaptists rejected infant baptism and emphasized adult believer’s baptism. This set them apart from both Catholics and mainstream Protestants at the time. The Anabaptists believed that only confessing believers should be baptized, not infants. In 1525,…
The Waldensians, also known as Waldenses or Vaudois, were a Christian movement that emerged in the late 12th century in Lyon, France. They were founded by Peter Waldo, a wealthy merchant who gave up his possessions to live a life of poverty and preach the Gospel. The name comes from Valdo, Waldo’s name in Latin. The key beliefs of the Waldensians were: They rejected the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and saw the Bible as the sole authority for Christian faith and practice. They emphasized preaching and made efforts to translate the Bible and teach it in the common…
Amnon was the eldest son of King David and his wife Ahinoam (2 Samuel 3:2). His story is told in 2 Samuel 13. Amnon fell in love with his half-sister Tamar, the beautiful daughter of David and Maacah (2 Samuel 13:1). However, their incestuous relationship was forbidden by the Mosaic law (Leviticus 18:9, 11). Amnon became obsessed with Tamar and feigned illness in order to get her alone in his house. When she brought food to him, he raped her (2 Samuel 13:14). After the rape, Amnon’s love quickly turned to hatred and he sent Tamar away (2 Samuel 13:15).…
Young Life is a non-denominational Christian ministry that reaches out to middle school, high school, and college-aged youth. It was founded in 1941 by Jim Rayburn in Texas. The goal of Young Life is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. Here is an overview of Young Life’s history, beliefs, and practices: History of Young Life As mentioned, Young Life was founded in 1941 by Jim Rayburn in Gainesville, Texas. Rayburn was a Presbyterian minister and educator who had a heart for youth ministry. He began holding informal youth meetings, which he called “Young…
The “living Word” refers to the Bible as the active, energizing, and life-giving message from God. The Bible is often described as the “Word of God” because it contains the inspired words that God desired to communicate to humanity. However, the Bible is not just a static text – it has a dynamic, transforming power. When people describe the Bible as the “living Word,” they are pointing to a few key aspects of how the Bible functions: The Bible is “alive” Hebrews 4:12 says that “the word of God is living and active.” This verse indicates that Scripture has a…
Sin is any act, thought, or attitude that goes against God’s holy character. The Bible teaches that all people are sinners and have fallen short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23). While sin promises pleasure and freedom, it actually leads to bondage, guilt, and death. Thankfully, God has provided redemption from the power and penalty of sin through Jesus Christ. However, there are still natural consequences when we sin. According to the Bible, every sin has consequences, whether we realize it or not. Let’s look at some of the key consequences of unrepentant sin: 1. Damages our relationship with God…
Giving is a core principle in the Bible that God calls all believers to participate in. Scripture has a lot to say about the importance of giving, the motivations behind giving, the rewards of giving, and how we should give. Here is a comprehensive overview of what the Bible teaches about giving. Giving Is an Act of Worship The Bible makes it clear that everything we have ultimately belongs to and comes from God. Since God owns everything, we are simply stewards of the resources He has entrusted to us during our lifetimes (Psalm 24:1, Haggai 2:8). Therefore, when we…
The topic of whether women should remain silent in church is one that has been debated for centuries. There are several passages in the Bible that address this issue, and interpreting them correctly is key to understanding what God’s word says about it. The most well-known verse on this topic is found in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (ESV): “The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is…