Hebrews 10:4 states, “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” This verse raises an important theological question – if the Old Testament sacrificial system was ordained by God, why was it ultimately ineffective for fully dealing with sin? To properly understand this issue, we need to explore the role and purpose of the Old Testament sacrificial system. God did institute the sacrificial system and it served several important functions: The sacrifices provided a way for people to show repentance and faith. They restored fellowship between God and man after it was broken…
Author: Nicole Sands
The Parable of the Dragnet is found in Matthew 13:47-50. In this parable, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a dragnet cast into the sea that catches fish of every kind. The fishermen then separate the good fish from the bad. Jesus explains that this is how it will be at the end of the age – the angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw the wicked into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. There are several key points we can take away from this parable: The gospel…
The Parable of the Sower, also known as the Parable of the Soils, is one of the most well-known parables taught by Jesus Christ. It is found in Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15. In this parable, Jesus uses the analogy of a sower sowing seeds to illustrate how people respond differently to the message of the Gospel. The parable begins with a sower who went out to sow some seeds. As he was scattering the seeds, some fell along the path and were eaten by birds, some fell on rocky ground and sprang up quickly but withered in…
The centurion’s statement in Matthew 27:54 holds great significance in the Gospel account of Jesus’ crucifixion. To understand why, it is important to examine the context, the centurion’s position, and the theological implications of his words. The Context of the Centurion’s Statement Matthew 27 recounts the events leading up to and including Jesus’ crucifixion. After being betrayed by Judas and put on trial by the Jewish leaders, Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate. Though Pilate found no fault in Jesus, he bowed to the pressure of the crowd and authorized his crucifixion (Matthew 27:11-26). Jesus was mocked and beaten before…
The Hallel Psalms are a group of psalms in the Book of Psalms that are recited by Jews during major Jewish holidays. The word “hallel” in Hebrew means “praise” – these psalms contain joyous praise and thanks to God. The Hallel Psalms are Psalms 113-118. These psalms were originally sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem during the three major Jewish festivals – Passover, Weeks (Shavuot), and Tabernacles (Sukkot). They have become associated with these festivals and are recited during the Passover seder meal and throughout the week-long festival of Sukkot. Here is an overview of each of the Hallel Psalms:…
The book of Habakkuk is one of the twelve Minor Prophets in the Old Testament. Here are some common questions people have about this short but meaningful prophetic book: Who wrote the book of Habakkuk? Habakkuk was the author of the book that bears his name. He was a prophet who likely lived in the late 7th century BC, around the time of the Babylonian invasion of Judah. The book includes no details about Habakkuk’s personal life or background. But his passionate dialogue with God indicates he had a strong faith during a troubling time for Judah (Habakkuk 1:1-2:1). Why…
The verse in question, 1 Timothy 2:15, states “Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” This verse has generated much discussion and debate over what exactly Paul meant when he wrote these words. Here is an explanation of the key elements of this passage and the meaning behind Paul’s instruction to Timothy regarding women and salvation through childbearing. The Context of 1 Timothy First, it is important to understand the overall context of the book of 1 Timothy. 1 Timothy is one of the Pastoral Epistles written by the apostle…
Demas is mentioned a few times in the New Testament as an associate of the apostle Paul. Here is a look at what the Bible tells us about this man named Demas. Demas Mentioned as Paul’s Fellow Laborer The first mention of Demas comes in Colossians 4:14 where he is listed among several men described as Paul’s fellow laborers: Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. (Colossians 4:14 ESV) This verse simply indicates that Demas was known to the church in Colossae as one of Paul’s associates in ministry. We’re not told anything else about Demas in this…
The verse in Colossians 1:19 states that “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.” This is a profound statement about the nature of Jesus Christ and His relationship to God the Father. Here are 9000 words exploring the meaning and significance of this verse: The first thing to recognize is that this verse is speaking of Jesus Christ, who is referred to here as “him.” The previous verses in Colossians establish that this him is referring to Christ, who is described as “the image of the invisible God” (1:15) and “the firstborn over all creation”…
Menopause is a natural transition that most women go through as they age, marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause, when hormone levels begin to fluctuate and decline. This transition brings physical and emotional changes that can be challenging to deal with. For Christian women, faith can provide comfort, wisdom and perspective during this season of life. Understanding Menopause from a Biblical Perspective The Bible does not directly address menopause, but it provides principles that can help women navigate this transition. Genesis 1:28 talks about God’s blessing on men and…