Worship should be a top priority in the church according to what the Bible teaches. The church is meant to gather together to worship God, encourage one another, learn from God’s word, and go out into the world to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Here are 9000 words on what the Bible says about making worship a priority in the church: The book of Psalms is filled with calls to worship and praise God. Psalm 95:6 states “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” Psalm 100:2 says to “Worship the Lord with…
Author: Nicole Sands
This is a question many Jewish people ask themselves at some point in their spiritual journey. As someone born and raised in Judaism, becoming a Christian can seem like a dramatic shift. However, when we examine what the Bible says, we find that Christianity is actually the fulfillment of Judaism. Jesus himself said he came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). The New Testament does not overturn the Hebrew Scriptures but rather completes them. So for a Jewish person to become a Christian is not to abandon one’s heritage but to embrace its ultimate purpose. Jesus is…
The Moses model of church leadership refers to a structure of governance in which there is a singular, authoritative leader at the top who delegates responsibilities to others. This model gets its name from Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt as recorded in the Old Testament books of Exodus through Deuteronomy. Moses occupied a unique position of authority as God’s appointed leader of Israel. God spoke directly to Moses and entrusted him to communicate His words and instructions to the people (Exodus 19:3-9). Moses had an intimate, direct connection with God that sets him apart from all other…
The Bible has a lot to say about selflessness and living a life of service to others. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical principles regarding selflessness: 1. Put others before yourself The Bible calls believers to look out for the interests of others and not just their own (Philippians 2:4). Jesus provided the ultimate example of this kind of self-sacrificial love by giving up his life to save humanity (John 15:13). Christians are exhorted to follow Christ’s example by esteeming others above themselves and meeting each other’s needs (Romans 12:10, Galatians 6:2). Some key verses on…
Clarence Larkin (1850-1924) was an American Baptist pastor, Bible teacher, and author. He is best known for the detailed dispensational charts he drew to illustrate God’s plans for humanity throughout history. Larkin’s charts and writings had a profound influence on dispensational premillennialism in the early 20th century. Larkin was born on October 28, 1850 in Chester, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a devout Baptist family. As a young man, Larkin worked as a bank clerk and studied mechanical drawing. He became very skilled at drafting detailed architectural and mechanical drawings. In his late 20s, Larkin felt called by God to…
Is there any value to a spiritual gifts test/inventory/assessment? Introduction The Bible does not specifically mention spiritual gifts tests, inventories or assessments. However, it does have much to say about spiritual gifts and how believers can discern, develop and use them for God’s glory. This approximately 9000 word article will examine what the Bible teaches about spiritual gifts and evaluate whether formal spiritual gift tests or inventories can be useful for Christians today. What are spiritual gifts? The Bible mentions spiritual gifts in several places, most notably Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4. These passages…
The Bible teaches that angels were created by God as spiritual beings to serve and worship Him (Psalm 148:2,5; Hebrews 1:14). Angels are not little gods or demigods, they were created beings just as humans were. Scripture refers to the angels as “sons of God” (Job 1:6) but this title should not be confused with Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16). Angels were present when God created the world (Job 38:4-7) and they worship and glorify God (Psalm 148:1-2; Isaiah 6:3). The Bible describes different types of angels, including cherubim, seraphim, and archangels. Some angels have…
The Old Testament is the first section of the Christian Bible, covering the history and teachings that came before Jesus Christ. For Christians, studying the Old Testament is vital for several reasons: Understanding the Origins of Faith The Old Testament provides the foundations of the Jewish faith, out of which Christianity arose. Studying the Old Testament gives insight into the origins, context, and progression of God’s relationship with humanity leading up to the New Testament. The Old Testament establishes God’s initial covenants and interactions with mankind (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:1-21, 17:1-27). It lays the groundwork for core doctrines like monotheism, the…
The issue of whether a Christian should get a henna tattoo is one that does not have a definitive “yes” or “no” answer in the Bible. There are good arguments on both sides of this issue that Christians have debated for many years. This article will walk through the key considerations from a biblical perspective to help Christians think through this issue. What is a henna tattoo? First, it is important to clarify what exactly a henna tattoo is. Henna tattoos, also known as mehndi, are a form of temporary body art that originated in ancient cultures in Africa, the…
The “image of the beast” is referenced in Revelation 13 and has been interpreted in different ways by Bible scholars over the years. At a basic level, it seems to refer to some kind of idol, statue, or symbol that represents a powerful ruler or kingdom that opposes God. Revelation 13 talks about two “beasts” – one that comes out of the sea (Revelation 13:1-10) and one that comes out of the earth (Revelation 13:11-18). The first beast is a political power, while the second beast is a religious power that promotes worship of the first beast. It is this…