Ecclesiasticism refers to church leadership, church government, and church organization. It comes from the Greek word “ekklesia” meaning “assembly” or “congregation.” In Christianity, the word is used to describe the organizational structure and administration of the church. Ecclesiology is the study of the theological understanding of church organization and hierarchy. Let’s explore what the Bible teaches about ecclesiasticism and church governance. Church Leadership Roles in the New Testament The New Testament mentions several leadership roles and offices within the early Christian church. Jesus Christ is described as the head of the church (Ephesians 5:23). The apostles, having been commissioned by…
Author: Nicole Sands
Theology proper, also known as Paterology, is the study of God the Father within systematic theology. It examines the existence, attributes, works, and character of God as revealed in Scripture. Some key topics discussed in theology proper include: The Existence of God The Bible assumes God’s existence rather than trying to prove it (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:6). However, Scripture does provide evidence for God’s existence through arguments from design (Psalm 19:1), morality (Romans 2:14-15), and the universal human desire to worship a higher being (Ecclesiastes 3:11). These point to the reality of a divine Creator. The Attributes of God God’s…
The Bible Summary / Survey The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by over 40 authors over a span of 1500 years yet tells one unified story. It is divided into the Old Testament (39 books) and the New Testament (27 books). The Old Testament covers the history of the world up until a few centuries before Jesus. It shows the creation of the world, the fall of humanity into sin, God’s promise to send a Savior, and the formation of the nation of Israel. Key people include Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, the…
Who are the “least of these” in the Bible? The phrase “the least of these” appears in Matthew 25:31-46, in Jesus’ teaching about the final judgment. In this passage, Jesus explains that when He returns in glory, He will separate all the nations as a shepherd separates sheep and goats. The sheep, representing the righteous, will inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. The reason given for their blessed state is that they cared for Jesus by caring for “the least of these my brothers.” In contrast, the unrighteous goats are sent to the eternal…
The issue of divorce and remarriage is a complex one that has been debated extensively among Christian scholars. There are generally two main views on divorce and remarriage – the conservative view which only permits divorce in cases of adultery or abandonment, and the more liberal view which permits divorce and remarriage in other cases as well. This article will focus on explaining the conservative perspective on whether abandonment or desertion constitutes valid grounds for divorce and remarriage. What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage? To understand the conservative position on abandonment and divorce, it is helpful to…
Why Should I Become A Christian? Introduction There are many great reasons to become a Christian. Christianity offers hope, purpose, community, and fulfillment that cannot be found anywhere else. Becoming a follower of Jesus Christ can transform someone’s life in powerful and positive ways. Here are 9 key reasons why someone should consider becoming a Christian. 1. Forgiveness of Sins One of the most fundamental teachings of Christianity is that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for people’s sins (John 3:16). Accepting Christ’s sacrifice on your behalf is the only way to be cleansed and forgiven…
Biogenesis is the theory that living things can only arise from other living things, as opposed to abiogenesis which proposes that life can arise from non-living matter. The Bible does not directly address the scientific concepts of biogenesis or abiogenesis. However, there are some key biblical principles regarding the origins of life that relate to this discussion: God Created Life The Bible clearly teaches that God created all living things. Genesis 1 describes God speaking plants, animals, and humans into existence. Passages like Nehemiah 9:6 affirm that God made “the heavens, the earth, the seas, and all that is in…
Iconoclasm refers to the destruction of religious icons, images and other symbols or monuments, usually for religious or political reasons. The word comes from the Greek words eikon meaning “image”, and klao meaning “to break”. In the Bible, iconoclasm is most often associated with the prohibition against graven images, especially in the Old Testament. The second commandment states: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them…
The Bible is the Word of God and contains eternal truth and wisdom for our lives. As Christians, we are called to meditate on Scripture, allow it to transform our hearts and minds, and apply its teachings to how we live. Using paraphrases of the Bible can be helpful in some circumstances, but also has some potential drawbacks that are important to consider. What is a paraphrase of the Bible? A paraphrase of the Bible seeks to convey the meaning of Scripture in a more accessible, easy-to-understand language. Well-known paraphrases include The Message by Eugene Peterson and The Living Bible…
Jesus predicted His death multiple times during His earthly ministry as recorded in the four Gospels. By examining key passages in the Gospels, we can identify at least four specific occasions when Jesus directly foretold His death and resurrection to His disciples. 1. Jesus predicts His death after Peter’s confession of Christ (Matthew 16:21-23; Mark 8:31-33; Luke 9:22) After Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law. He…