The statement “you will know them by their fruits” comes from Matthew 7:16 in the Bible. It forms part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where He warns about false prophets. In Matthew 7:15-20, Jesus states: Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that…
Author: Mike Solis
Baptismal regeneration is the belief that baptism is necessary for salvation. It is the view that baptism saves a person or regenerates them by removing original sin. This belief is held by some Christian denominations such as Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, and Anglicanism. However, other denominations like Baptists, Presbyterians, and non-denominational evangelicals reject baptismal regeneration and hold to believer’s baptism. The key biblical passages used to support baptismal regeneration are: John 3:5 – “Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.'” Acts 2:38…
The Bible has a lot to say about kindness, especially in Ephesians 4:32 which instructs us to “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” This verse packed with meaning that can transform our relationships when put into practice. First, let’s look at what it means to “be kind.” The original Greek word used here is “chrēstos” which means to be good, gracious, and useful. It implies acting in a way that is upright, gentle, and considerate. Being kind doesn’t just mean avoiding meanness, but going out of our way to treat others…
The concept of “positive confession” refers to the belief that our words have power and that by verbally confessing positive statements, we can bring about desired outcomes in our lives. This belief is prevalent in some Christian circles, especially within the Word of Faith movement. When examining this doctrine in light of Scripture, we find there are elements of truth as well as areas requiring discernment and balance. On one hand, the Bible clearly teaches the power of the tongue and that our words reflect the state of our heart (Prov 18:21, Matt 12:34). Additionally, we are instructed to set…
In the Bible, a seer was someone who had a supernatural ability to “see” or perceive things that ordinary people could not. The term is used interchangeably with “prophet” and refers to someone who received divine revelations or visions from God. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about seers: The Definition and Role of a Seer The Hebrew word for seer is “ro’eh” which literally means “one who sees.” It refers to a prophet who received divine visions and revelations from God. For example, 1 Samuel 9:9 states, “Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire…
Paul’s letter to the Romans discusses the law of sin and death in chapter 8 verse 2. To fully understand this concept, we must look at the broader context of Romans chapter 8 and other relevant passages in Scripture. The Wages of Sin is Death Romans 6:23 tells us “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This establishes the basic principle that sin leads to death. God warned Adam and Eve that if they disobeyed His command and ate the forbidden fruit, they would “surely die”…
The Cherethites are mentioned several times in the Bible, but their exact identity remains somewhat mysterious. Here is an overview of what the Bible reveals about this ancient people group: The Name “Cherethites” The name “Cherethites” appears to be related to the Hebrew word “cheret”, meaning “to cut off” or “executioner”. This implies the Cherethites may have been known as warriors or mercenaries. The name is spelled a few different ways in the original Hebrew, but always refers to the same group of people. Some alternate spellings are Kerethites, Keretheans, and Crethim. First Mention in Scripture The Cherethites are first…
Nightmares and bad dreams are a common human experience that can cause distress and anxiety. The Bible has a fair amount to say about dreams in general and provides wisdom and comfort regarding how to think about nightmares and bad dreams. Dreams in the Bible The Bible records many instances of God speaking to people through dreams. For example, God gave Abraham (Genesis 15:12-16), Jacob (Genesis 28:12-15), Joseph (Genesis 37:5-11), the Pharaoh (Genesis 41:1-32), Solomon (1 Kings 3:5-15), Daniel (Daniel 2:19-23), Joseph the husband of Mary (Matthew 1:20-24), and others messages or visions in their dreams. So dreams could be…
Pain is a near-universal human experience. At some point in life, we all encounter physical, emotional, or psychological pain. The Bible has much to say about how to understand and respond to pain from a Christian perspective. Here is an overview of the Bible’s teaching on pain: God allows pain for His purposes Although God is good and loving, He allows pain to exist in this fallen world. Pain serves several purposes according to the Bible: Pain can be a consequence of sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, pain entered the world (Genesis 3:16-19). Our wrong moral choices often lead…
Witnessing to Catholics—what is the key? The key to witnessing to Catholics is focusing on the core message of the gospel while avoiding getting bogged down in secondary issues. At the heart of the gospel is the truth that we are all sinners in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23). Jesus Christ came to die on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). By repenting of our sins and putting our faith in Christ alone for salvation, we can be forgiven and have eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9). When witnessing to…