The Bible has much to say about Satan, that ancient serpent who is the Devil. While there are mysteries surrounding Satan that we will never fully understand this side of eternity, the Scriptures do provide insight into his nature and character. When examining the question, “Is Satan a spirit?”, there are several key biblical passages that help provide clarity. Perhaps one of the most direct statements comes from Ephesians 6:12, which says “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces…
Author: Matt Primack
The question of whether it is right for a Christian to date or marry a non-Christian is one that has been debated extensively throughout church history. There are several factors to consider when examining what the Bible says about this issue. Biblical Principles About Unequally Yoked Relationships One of the clearest passages in Scripture that speaks to this question is 2 Corinthians 6:14, which says “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” This verse uses the imagery of two different animals yoked together to illustrate the…
The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination based in the United States. With over 800,000 members and around 5,000 congregations, it is one of the largest Protestant denominations in the country. The UCC was formed in 1957 by the union of the Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches. Both of these denominations trace their origins back to Puritan settlers in New England in the 17th and 18th centuries. The UCC embraces a congregationalist polity, meaning each individual church is self-governing. There is no centralized authority or hierarchy that controls the churches. Each…
The concept of praying without ceasing comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which simply states “pray without ceasing”. But what does this brief instruction really mean for Christians? Here is an in-depth look at the biblical foundation and practical application of praying without ceasing. The Biblical Basis for Praying Without Ceasing The command to pray without ceasing is found in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. In chapter 5 verse 17, he writes “pray without ceasing”. This instruction comes in the context of other exhortations about living wisely, rejoicing, giving thanks, abstaining from evil, and quenching the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:14-22).…
Fasting is a spiritual practice that is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible. Here is an in-depth look at what the Bible says about fasting: Definition of Fasting The basic definition of fasting is voluntarily abstaining from food for a period of time. It usually also involves abstaining from drink as well. Fasting is more than just skipping meals though – it is intentionally setting aside time to focus on prayer and growing closer to God. Types of Fasts There are several types of fasts mentioned in the Bible: Absolute fast – Abstaining from both food and water (Esther 4:16,…
The rosary is a popular Catholic devotion of repeating prayers using beads to count them. The most common rosary consists of 5 groups of 10 beads called decades, with each decade dedicated to a mystery or event in the life of Jesus and Mary. The Hail Mary is repeated on each bead and the Lord’s Prayer between each decade. Many non-Catholic Christians wonder if praying the rosary is scriptural or biblical. There are a few aspects of the rosary that find support in Scripture: Repetitive prayer – Jesus spoke of repetitive prayer in Matthew 6:7, saying “do not heap up…
The Vineyard Movement refers to a loosely affiliated group of evangelical Christian churches that originated in the United States in the 1970s and 1980s. The movement emphasizes connecting with God through worship and seeking the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Vineyard churches have a casual and contemporary style of worship, often incorporating modern music and a welcoming atmosphere. The Vineyard movement has its roots in two main streams. The first is the Calvary Chapel movement that began in southern California in the 1960s. This was a revival movement emphasizing the work of the Holy Spirit, contemporary worship music, and casual…
Religion and spirituality are two related yet distinct concepts. While there is some overlap between the two, there are also important differences that set them apart. Religion typically refers to an organized system of beliefs, practices, rituals and symbols designed to facilitate closeness to the sacred or transcendent. Religions often arise out of special revelations, manifest through historical events that are recorded in sacred texts. They tend to have formal leadership roles, organizational structures and codes of conduct. Examples of major world religions include Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. In contrast, spirituality is more personal and informal. It has…
The question of what happens after death is one that has fascinated humanity since the beginning of time. The Bible provides some clear answers about the afterlife that can bring comfort and hope to those seeking understanding. According to Scripture, there are two possible eternal destinations for human souls – heaven or hell. Where a person goes depends on the state of their relationship with God during their earthly life. For those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the Bible promises that to be absent from the body is to be present with the…
The phrase “sun of righteousness” is found in Malachi 4:2, which reads: “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.” This verse points to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who will bring salvation and restoration to those who fear God. Here are 9000 words explaining the meaning and significance of the “sun of righteousness”: The book of Malachi was written after the Jewish people had returned from exile in Babylon. Through the prophet Malachi, God addressed various sins…