The Natsarim are a group of people who follow the teachings of Yeshua (Jesus) and his disciples from the 1st century CE. The name Natsarim comes from the Hebrew word “netser” which means “branch” and refers to Isaiah 11:1 which states “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” This is understood as a messianic prophecy about Jesus. The Natsarim view themselves as restoring the original sect of followers of Jesus from the 1st century. They believe the original teachings and practices of Jesus and his disciples have been…
Author: Nicole Sands
The seal of the Holy Spirit refers to the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers. According to the Bible, when someone repents of their sins and puts their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, God seals them with the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). This sealing serves as a mark of the believer’s inheritance and redemption as a child of God. Some of the key things the Bible teaches about the sealing of the Holy Spirit include: It is a deposit guaranteeing the believer’s inheritance (Ephesians 1:14, 2 Corinthians 1:22). Just as an official seal on…
A Jewish rabbi is a teacher and religious leader in the Jewish faith who has extensive knowledge of Jewish law and tradition. The role of a rabbi has evolved over the centuries, but their core responsibilities have remained fairly consistent. Here is an overview of what a Jewish rabbi is and does: Definition and Etymology The word “rabbi” comes from the Hebrew word “rav” which means “great one” or “master.” It is a title given to those who have completed intensive study of Jewish texts and have been formally ordained. The feminine form of the word is “rabbanit” and refers…
The phrase “the love of Christ compels us” comes from 2 Corinthians 5:14 (ESV), which says: “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died.” This verse teaches an important truth about the motivating power of Christ’s love in the lives of believers. Let’s explore the meaning and implications of this verse further. 1. Christ’s love compels us because He died for us Paul states that it is the “love of Christ” that compels and controls believers. What he specifically has in mind is Christ’s sacrificial death…
The Bible has a lot to say about God’s mercy and how we are called to show mercy to others. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses about mercy: Old Testament Verses on Mercy “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6 ESV) This verse describes God as merciful, gracious, patient, loving, and faithful. His attributes showcase his mercy towards his people. “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in…
Paranoia and being paranoid can be very debilitating conditions that disrupt our lives and relationships. When we give in to irrational fears and suspicions, we can hurt others and ourselves. Thankfully, the Bible offers wisdom and comfort for overcoming paranoia. Defining Paranoia Biblically The word “paranoia” does not appear in most English translations of the Bible. However, there are several Greek and Hebrew words that describe similar irrational fears: Deilia – Cowardice or timidity (2 Timothy 1:7) Ekplexis – Terror or fright (Luke 21:26) Phobos – Fear or dread (1 John 4:18) Being paranoid means perceiving threats that don’t really…
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) Church is a historically black Methodist denomination based in America. It was officially formed in 1821 in New York City, but its roots trace back to 1796. Here is an overview of the AME Zion Church and its history, beliefs, and practices: Origins and History The AME Zion Church has its origins in the late 18th century. In 1796, a group of black members withdrew from the John Street Methodist Church in New York City due to racism and prejudice they experienced. This group formed the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was the…
What is the Abrahamic Covenant? The Abrahamic covenant refers to God’s promises to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, confirmed in Genesis 15 and 17. In this covenant, God promised Abraham a land and descendants who would become a great nation. Through Abraham’s descendants, all nations of the earth would be blessed. This covenant marked the beginning of God’s plan to redeem humanity from sin and death through the Messiah, who would come from Abraham’s line. The Call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9) Genesis 12 records God’s initial call to Abraham (then named Abram) while he was living in Haran. God commanded Abram…
Progressive dispensationalism is a recent modification of the dispensationalist theological system that attempts to bridge the gap between dispensationalism and covenant theology. Dispensationalism has traditionally emphasized a literal interpretation of prophecy and sees a distinction between Israel and the church. Covenant theology, on the other hand, sees more continuity between Israel and the church and takes a more spiritualized approach to prophecy. Progressive dispensationalism seeks to combine the strengths of both systems while avoiding their weaknesses. Background of Dispensationalism Dispensationalism as a system was developed by John Nelson Darby in the 19th century and popularized in the Scofield Reference Bible.…
The question of whether Jesus is coming soon has been asked by Christians for centuries. The Bible provides some clues about the timing of Jesus’ return, but also cautions against predicting exact dates. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about if and when Jesus may return. Signs of the Times In Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, Jesus’ disciples asked him about the signs of his coming and the end of the age. Jesus responded with a list of events and conditions that would precede his return, including false messiahs, wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution of believers,…