The Desposyni, also known as the Rex Deus, refer to the descendants of Jesus Christ and his family. The term “Desposyni” comes from the Greek word meaning “belonging to the Lord.” Some key points about the Desposyni: They were the blood relatives of Jesus, descended from his brothers, sisters, and other family members. Eusebius and Hegesippus wrote about the Desposyni in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. They lived in Nazareth and other parts of Galilee after Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Desposyni were persecuted by the Romans and Jewish authorities who saw them as a threat. They continued leading the…
Author: Matt Primack
Theodore of Mopsuestia was a prominent early church theologian and exegete who lived in the late 4th and early 5th centuries AD. He served as bishop of Mopsuestia (located in modern Turkey) from 392 to 428 AD. Theodore was a close friend of John Chrysostom and studied under the famous Antiochene teacher Diodore of Tarsus. He is considered one of the most important representatives of the Antiochene school of biblical interpretation. Theodore was born around 350 AD in Antioch, one of the major centers of early Christianity. He came from a wealthy family and received an excellent education, studying rhetoric,…
The spiritual gift of prophecy is the God-given ability to receive direct revelation from God and communicate it to others. Those with this gift have a special ability to hear God’s voice and relay His messages. The messages can contain anything God wants to reveal, including exposing sin, warning of future events, or declaring God’s will. This gift is not about predicting the future but rather speaking forth God’s word in a timely and relevant way. Prophecy in the New Testament refers primarily to the spiritual gift of prophecy. While Old Testament prophets spoke the authoritative word of God, prophecy…
Acacia wood is mentioned frequently throughout the Bible, most prominently as an important material used in constructing the tabernacle and ark of the covenant. Here is an in-depth look at the biblical significance of acacia wood. Acacia Wood in the Construction of the Tabernacle When God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle in the wilderness, acacia wood was designated as the primary material for many elements of the sacred structure. According to Exodus 26, acacia wood was used to construct the boards that formed the walls of the tabernacle, the crossbars that braced the frames, and the posts that supported…
When considering the attributes of God as revealed in Scripture, there is debate among Christians as to whether any one attribute stands above the rest. God’s attributes, such as His love, justice, holiness, etc., all perfectly reflect His divine nature and character. However, Scripture does not explicitly rank God’s attributes, which has led to differing perspectives on this question. On one hand, some argue that God’s love is supreme over all other attributes. They point to verses like 1 John 4:8 which says “God is love.” In this view, God’s love motivates and shapes how He expresses His other attributes…
Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a psychological approach that involves analyzing people’s thought patterns, language, and behavior to influence their subconscious minds and achieve desired outcomes. Some key techniques of NLP include mirroring body language, using metaphor and storytelling, and reframing negative thoughts. While some aspects of NLP may seem harmless, a deeper look at its core philosophies reveals significant conflicts with biblical Christianity. A Brief Overview of NLP NLP was developed in the 1970s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder, who believed psychology focused too much on treating mental illness instead of achieving excellence. They studied therapists like Fritz Perls…
The Bible speaks clearly about sex being reserved for marriage. Sex before marriage is considered sexually immoral and a sin according to God’s commands. The Bible promotes abstinence before marriage and faithfulness within marriage between one man and one woman. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about sex before marriage: Sex is a gift from God meant for marriage (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6). Sexual immorality is sinful and to be avoided (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Galatians 5:19). God’s design for marriage is one man and one woman becoming “one flesh” through sex (Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:6-9). God commands…
John the Baptist was a prophet who lived in the wilderness of Judea around the time of Jesus Christ. He was known for preaching a message of repentance and baptizing people in the Jordan River. His most famous statement was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). This verse summarizes the core message that John the Baptist proclaimed to prepare people for the coming of Jesus and the kingdom of God. John’s Message of Repentance The first key aspect of John’s statement is the call to “repent.” To repent means to turn away from sin, wrongdoing,…
The prophecy that begins with “A voice was heard in Ramah” is found in Jeremiah 31:15. It says, “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” This prophecy is then quoted in Matthew 2:18 after King Herod orders the massacre of all the baby boys in Bethlehem in an attempt to kill the infant Jesus. To understand how Jesus fulfills this prophecy, we need to examine the context and meaning of Jeremiah 31:15. Ramah was a town not far from Jerusalem that was…
The prophecy referred to in Matthew 2:15 is originally found in Hosea 11:1 which says, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” This verse refers back to when God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of their slavery in Egypt, as described in the book of Exodus. God delivered the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt through mighty miracles and led them to the Promised Land. Matthew 2:15 draws a parallel between God calling Israel out of Egypt and Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod,…