The topic of baptism in the Old Testament is an interesting one. At first glance, it may seem that baptism is absent from the Old Testament writings. The ritual of baptism is often associated with the New Testament and the beginnings of the Christian church. However, a closer examination of the Old Testament reveals glimpses and foreshadowings of New Testament baptism. The Old Testament word that is often translated as “baptize” or “baptism” in English is the Hebrew verb “tabal” (תבל). This word has the basic meaning of “to dip” or “to immerse.” We see examples of tabal when Naaman…
Author: Matt Primack
The sanctuary movement refers to a religious and political campaign in the 1980s to provide safe haven for refugees fleeing civil wars in Central America. Churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of worship collaborated to offer food, shelter, and legal assistance to asylum seekers from countries like El Salvador and Guatemala. The movement emerged out of the belief that the United States government was complicit in the violence driving people to flee their homes, and that there was a moral imperative to protect those seeking refuge. The Bible does not directly discuss the modern concept of a sanctuary movement. However,…
Is there evidence for the existence of God? The question of whether there is evidence for the existence of God has been debated for centuries. The Bible, as God’s revealed Word, has much to say on this topic. While God’s existence cannot be definitively proven or disproven, there are several lines of biblical evidence that provide a compelling case for belief in God. Evidence from Creation The Bible opens with the words, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The intricacy, complexity, and order of the created world point to an intelligent Designer behind it…
Ultimate reconciliation is the Christian teaching that all people will eventually be reconciled to God and saved. This belief is based on certain biblical passages that suggest God desires the salvation of all people and will ultimately redeem all of creation. The main biblical support for the doctrine of ultimate reconciliation comes from verses emphasizing God’s universal love and salvation. For example: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as…
Kingdom Now theology, also known as dominion theology or restoration theology, is a theological belief within some Charismatic and Pentecostal churches that Christians should establish the Kingdom of God on earth now before the return of Jesus Christ. This theology emphasizes the authority of believers to take “dominion” or control over earthly institutions and governments before Christ returns. Some key teachings of Kingdom Now theology include: The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 is a mandate for Christians to take control over secular institutions in order to establish God’s kingdom on earth. Most miracles and supernatural gifts described in the New…
The statement that the gospel brings salvation “to the Jew first and then to the Gentile” comes from Romans 1:16, where Paul writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” This verse has caused some confusion over the years, but when we look at the context and Paul’s other writings, we can understand his meaning more clearly. First, it’s important to note that Paul is not saying salvation is only for the Jews first. He is simply…
The seven cardinal virtues are a set of virtues that originate from classical antiquity and have been influential in Catholicism. The seven cardinal virtues are: prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, faith, hope, and charity. These virtues provide a moral framework to help guide Christians to live a good and righteous life. Let’s explore each of these cardinal virtues in more depth: Prudence Prudence is the ability to discern the appropriate course of action and exercise good judgment. It allows us to recognize what is morally right in a given situation and choose the best means to achieve it. Prudence enables us…
The Bible does not explicitly state whether Joseph was married before he was engaged to Mary, the mother of Jesus. However, there are a few clues that suggest he likely was not previously married: 1. No mention of previous wife or children There is no mention in the Bible of Joseph having a previous wife or children before marrying Mary. This is in contrast to some other biblical figures like Abraham, Jacob and David who are clearly described as having multiple wives and children. If Joseph had a previous family, it seems likely they would have been mentioned in the…
Modernism refers to a period of cultural and philosophical movement that arose from profound changes in Western society during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some key features of modernism include rejection of traditional social, religious, and political beliefs, experimentation with new ideas and artistic styles, and a focus on progress and futurism. For Christians, modernism presents several challenges as well as opportunities. On one hand, modernism promotes human reason, science, and individualism often at the expense of biblical authority and traditional church teaching. This has led many people to abandon their Christian faith or adopt more liberal theological…
Panentheism is the belief that God encompasses and interpenetrates the universe but also exists beyond it. The term comes from the Greek words pan (all), en (in), and theos (God). Panentheism differs from pantheism, which identifies God with the universe, and classical theism, which holds that God is distinct from and transcendent over creation. Some key aspects of panentheism include: God contains the universe but is greater than it The universe exists within God but also has some autonomy/freedom God relates intimately to the world and is affected by what happens in it The world depends on God for its…