The statement “I am what I am” from 1 Corinthians 15:10 is a profound declaration by the apostle Paul about his identity and calling in Christ. In the fuller context, Paul is defending his apostleship against those who questioned his authority. After listing witnesses of Christ’s resurrection, Paul goes on to say in verses 8-10: “Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am,…
Author: Nicole Sands
The statement that Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped comes from Philippians 2:6, which says: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage.” This verse has been the subject of much discussion and debate over what it means that Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped or taken advantage of. To understand this verse, we first need to look at the context. Philippians 2:5-11 is a section called the “Christ Hymn” which describes Jesus’ humility and obedience in coming…
The story of Jesus healing the blind man at Bethsaida in Mark 8:22-26 contains an interesting detail not found in other healing stories. After Jesus initially touched the man’s eyes, his sight was partially restored but he said he saw “people like trees, walking” (v. 24). Why did the man’s vision only improve gradually instead of being healed instantly like others Jesus healed? Here are some potential reasons explored in-depth: A Two-Stage Healing to Increase Faith One possibility is that Jesus deliberately healed the man in two stages to increase his faith and the faith of the disciples. By touching…
The World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) is a religious movement founded in South Korea in 1964 by Ahn Sahng-hong. The church believes that Ahn Sahng-hong was the second coming of Christ, sent by God to reveal the truth about God the Mother, another central teaching of the WMSCOG. History and Origins The WMSCOG was established in 1964 in Seoul, South Korea by Ahn Sahng-hong. Ahn Sahng-hong was born in 1918 and was baptized in 1948 into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In 1952, he began preaching his own message apart from the Seventh-day Adventists, focusing on the second coming…
1 Timothy 4:1 states “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” This verse predicts that there will be some who abandon genuine faith in Jesus Christ and embrace false teachings promoted by deceitful spirits and demons. There are a few key points we can takeaway from this sobering warning: 1. It is clearly prophesied that there will be some who fall away Paul states this prophecy as a certainty – “some will depart from the faith.” He wanted Timothy and all future…
The Abrahamic Family House is an interfaith complex located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It contains a mosque, church, and synagogue in one location to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. The Bible does not directly mention the Abrahamic Family House, as it is a modern construction. However, the Bible has a lot to say about interfaith relationships and the importance of unity among God’s people. The Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all trace their spiritual heritage back to the biblical patriarch Abraham. He is considered the father of all who have faith,…
The statement that Jesus was “in the beginning with God” comes from the opening verses of John’s Gospel (John 1:1-2). This profound claim about Jesus’ pre-existence and deity has been the subject of much reflection and debate over the centuries. A full examination of what it means that Jesus was “in the beginning with God” requires unpacking several interrelated questions: First, what is meant by “in the beginning”? The phrase echoes the opening words of Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” John appears to be consciously connecting Jesus to the creation account in…
Is the Holy Spirit a Person? The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity in Christian theology. The doctrine of the Trinity states that God is one being who exists eternally as three distinct persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. There has been much theological debate over the centuries regarding the precise nature and role of the Holy Spirit within the Godhead. In examining what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit, several key truths emerge that provide evidence that the Holy Spirit is indeed a divine person, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father…
Seeking the favor of the Lord is an important goal for many Christians. Proverbs 8:35 says, “For whoever finds me (wisdom) finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.” This verse tells us that pursuing wisdom leads to life and favor from God. But what does it mean to obtain God’s favor, and how can we actively seek it? What is the Favor of the Lord? The favor of the Lord refers to gaining God’s approval, blessing, support, and grace. When we have the Lord’s favor, He is pleased with us and responds positively to our prayers and actions. God…
The question of whether Jesus had a tattoo is an interesting one that arises from a particular verse in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 19:16, there is a description of Jesus returning as a conquering king: On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19:16 ESV) The key detail here is that Jesus has a name written on his thigh. Some have interpreted this to mean that Jesus had a tattoo on his thigh. The Greek word used here for “written” is γεγραμμένον (gegrammenon), which can mean…
