An oblation is an offering or sacrifice made to God. The word “oblation” comes from the Latin oblatio, meaning “an offering.” In the Bible, there are various types of oblations mentioned, usually involving animal sacrifices, grain offerings, or drink offerings. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about oblations: Animal Oblations In the Old Testament, animal sacrifices were a common form of oblation. When a burnt offering was made, the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar (Leviticus 1:3-17). This total burning signified the total dedication of the sacrifice to God. Other animal oblations included sin…
Author: Matt Primack
The Bible has a lot to say about wives and their role and responsibilities in marriage. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages on the topic: Wives are to submit to their husbands Several verses instruct wives to submit to their husbands and respect their authority within the marriage. This does not mean that wives are inferior, but that they are called to a role of willing submission for the purpose of reflecting Christ’s relationship to the church. For example: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:22) “Wives, submit yourselves to your own…
William Tyndale (c. 1494-1536) was an English scholar and leading figure in the Protestant Reformation. He is best known for his translation of the Bible into English in the early 1500s. Tyndale’s Bible translation was the first to draw directly from Hebrew and Greek texts instead of the Latin Vulgate. His work later became the basis for many English translations of the Bible, including the King James Version. Some key facts about William Tyndale: Born in Gloucestershire, England around 1494 Educated at Oxford and Cambridge universities Became fluent in 8 languages including Greek, Hebrew, Latin, German, Spanish, French, Italian and…
The term “vagabond” appears several times in the Bible, typically carrying a negative connotation. At its most basic, a vagabond refers to a person who wanders from place to place without a settled home. However, in Biblical usage, the word often implies more than simply a wandering lifestyle. In both the Old and New Testaments, “vagabond” frequently describes someone rejected by society or under God’s curse and judgement. Let’s look at some of the key Biblical passages using this term: Old Testament References One of the earliest Biblical uses of “vagabond” is in Genesis 4:12. After Cain murdered his brother…
This is a complex theological question that requires a nuanced understanding of spiritual authority according to the Bible. At a basic level, believers do have authority over evil spiritual forces through their faith in Jesus Christ and the power of His name. However, there are also limitations to that authority that must be recognized. First, it is clear in Scripture that Jesus Christ has supreme authority over Satan and demons. Passages like Matthew 28:18, Ephesians 1:20-23, Colossians 2:15, and 1 Peter 3:22 all speak of Christ’s sovereignty over heavenly and earthly powers. His victory on the cross defeated Satan and…
The topic of why God allows people to be born with disabilities or become disabled is a difficult one that many believers wrestle with. The Bible does not give a direct answer, but it provides principles that can help us gain perspective. Here is an overview of 9000 words on what the Bible teaches related to this important question. God’s Sovereignty Over All Things First, the Bible is clear that God is sovereign over all things. Nothing happens outside of His will and purpose (Isaiah 46:10). God allows disabilities and handicaps for reasons we may not fully understand, but we…
A church community group is a small group of Christians who meet regularly for fellowship, bible study, prayer, and mutual support. Community groups are a key way that church members can connect with one another, grow in their faith, and live out their Christianity in relationship. The purpose of community groups is to facilitate deeper relationships between church members, so they can know each other, care for each other, and spur one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). Community groups provide a setting for Christians to apply what they learn on Sundays to their everyday lives. Through…
The Bible teaches that God is the Creator of all things. This means that everything that exists, whether seen or unseen, was brought into being by God. He is the divine source of all creation. Understanding God as Creator gives insight into His nature, sovereignty, and relationship to humanity. God Created Everything Out of Nothing Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” This verse makes it clear that God created the entire universe. He did not simply organize preexisting matter, but rather brought all of existence into being out of nothing. Theologians refer to…
In John 6:53-56, Jesus makes a startling statement: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” This passage has puzzled and disturbed many readers over the centuries. What did Jesus mean when…
King Zedekiah was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile. He reigned from around 597 to 586 BC. Zedekiah’s original name was Mattaniah. He was the son of Josiah and the uncle of Jehoiachin. Zedekiah was made king of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon, after Babylon conquered Jerusalem and took Jehoiachin captive. Zedekiah ruled as a vassal of Babylon for around 11 years before rebelling, which led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Zedekiah’s story is told primarily in 2 Kings 24-25 and Jeremiah 37-39. Some key facts about Zedekiah from the Bible: His…