To have union with Christ means to be spiritually joined to Jesus Christ through faith. This union with Christ is made possible by God’s grace and through the work of the Holy Spirit. It is an intimate, transforming, and eternal relationship that impacts every area of the believer’s life. The Bible uses various metaphors and imagery to describe this union with Christ. These include being “in Christ,” Christ being “in us,” being “one with Christ,” the vine and branches imagery in John 15, the head and body metaphor in 1 Corinthians 12, and the marriage metaphor portraying Christ as the…
Author: Nicole Sands
The practice of giving an “altar call” at the end of a church service is common in many evangelical Christian churches. An altar call typically involves the pastor or worship leader inviting people to come forward publicly, usually to the front of the church, to make a spiritual commitment or rededication. The Bible does not specifically mention altar calls, since this practice did not originate until the 19th century during the Second Great Awakening revival movement. However, there are some biblical principles and passages that can inform our understanding of the purpose and value of altar calls. Confessing Christ Publicly…
The phrase “I AM WHO I AM” is found in Exodus 3:14. This verse reads: “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.”” This cryptic phrase has been the subject of much discussion and debate among Bible scholars over the years. In this article, we will explore the meaning and significance of “I AM WHO I AM” as it relates to God’s identity and nature. Context of Exodus 3 Exodus 3 tells the story of Moses’ encounter with God at the burning…
The connection between the last trumpet in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and the seventh trumpet in Revelation 11:15 is a debated topic among Bible scholars. On the surface, they seem to refer to the same apocalyptic trumpet blast, but when examined more closely, there are good reasons to think they may refer to separate events. In this article, we will look at the key evidence and arguments on both sides of this issue. The Case for Equating the Two Trumpets Here are some of the main reasons why some Bible teachers believe the last trumpet of 1 Thessalonians 4 is the…
The Bible does not directly address the modern concept of prenuptial agreements. However, there are some principles and examples in Scripture that can provide wisdom for Christians considering a prenuptial agreement. Marriage is a covenant relationship The Bible presents marriage as a sacred covenant before God (Malachi 2:14). Unlike modern legal contracts that focus on protecting individual rights, a covenant focuses on commitment, self-sacrifice, and unconditional love. This covenantal view suggests mutual trust and faith in God’s provision should supersede the perceived need for legal protections. However, even in biblical times, marriages did involve property rights and financial considerations (Genesis…
The verse Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This profound verse contains a wealth of truth about the nature of sin, death, eternal life, and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. In this article, we will explore the meaning behind this significant verse. The Wages of Sin is Death First, Romans 6:23 explains that “the wages of sin is death.” This means that the payment or consequence of sin is death. When humanity sinned and rebelled against God (Genesis 3), sin entered…
The magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church refers to the teaching authority of the Church. It consists of the Pope and the bishops in communion with him. The word “magisterium” comes from the Latin word “magister” meaning “teacher.” The Catholic Church believes that Jesus Christ entrusted his authority to teach the faith to the apostles and their successors, the bishops. This teaching authority is exercised in several ways: Papal pronouncements – The Pope can issue official teachings on faith and morals. These include apostolic constitutions, encyclicals, bulls, briefs, etc. Ecumenical Councils – The bishops can come together in councils, such…
Nathaniel’s question reveals some key insights about perspectives towards Nazareth in biblical times. To properly understand Nathaniel’s skepticism, we must first establish the context. Jesus had gone to Galilee and found Philip, telling him to “Follow me.” Philip then went and found Nathaniel and told him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Upon hearing that Jesus was from Nazareth, Nathaniel responded with his famous question: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:45-46). Nazareth was a relatively small and obscure village in Galilee…
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that has evolved into a graceful form of exercise and meditation. The slow, flowing movements are said to improve health and well-being by reducing stress, increasing flexibility, and strengthening the body. While Tai Chi has roots in Chinese philosophy and religion, its growth in the West has led more Christians to take up the practice. This has brought questions about whether Tai Chi aligns with Christian beliefs. Overall, most Christians do not see Tai Chi as inherently in conflict with biblical principles. While some caution is warranted regarding the spiritual aspects, Tai…
The phrase “chasing the wind” appears several times in the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible. It’s an idiomatic expression that conveys the meaninglessness and futility of certain pursuits in life. 1. The context of Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes was likely written by King Solomon later in his life. The book contains his philosophical reflections on the meaning of life and the best way to live. A key theme that runs throughout Ecclesiastes is that much of human endeavor is “vanity” or futile when looked at from an earthly perspective apart from God. The author describes various aspects of human achievement -…