In the Old Testament, the anointed priest held a very important and significant role in the religious life of the Israelites. The anointed priest was set apart and consecrated to serve God in the tabernacle/temple, offering sacrifices, interceding for the people, and teaching God’s law. A few key points about the anointed priest: Chosen by God The position of high priest was not earned or appointed by man – it was a calling from God. In Exodus 28:1, God commands Moses: “Bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to…
Author: Nicole Sands
What effects do conditions like autism have on the Christian life? Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction, communication, and restrictive or repetitive patterns of behavior. Autism exists on a spectrum, with some people being more mildly affected while others face more significant challenges. For Christians with autism or raising a child with autism, navigating its effects can raise a lot of questions about how it impacts one’s spiritual life and relationship with God. Though autism presents unique challenges, the Bible offers comfort, wisdom, and reassurance for those impacted by it. Social Challenges and the Body…
The mercy seat is an important concept in the Bible that refers to the cover of the Ark of the Covenant, which was a sacred chest that contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. The mercy seat was made of pure gold and had two cherubim (angels) facing each other with wings spread above it. According to Exodus 25:17-22, God would appear in a cloud above the mercy seat and speak to Moses from between the cherubim. This emphasized the mercy seat as the place where God’s presence dwelled and where atonement was made between God and His people.…
A grain offering, also known as a cereal offering or meat offering, was a type of sacrifice offered to God in the Old Testament. It involved presenting grain, fine flour, or baked goods to the Lord as an act of thanksgiving, dedication, or atonement for sin. The grain offering is first introduced in Leviticus 2, where the Lord instructs Moses, “When anyone brings a grain offering to the Lord, their offering is to be of the finest flour. They are to pour olive oil on it, put incense on it and take it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest…
Moral relativism is the view that moral truths depend on the individuals and groups holding them. It claims that there are no absolute or universal moral truths that apply to all people at all times. Instead, morals are relative to the culture, society, or individuals holding them. According to moral relativism, actions cannot be judged as objectively right or wrong. Whether something is right or wrong depends on the moral code of the culture or individual. What one society considers immoral, another society may consider moral. And neither society would be objectively right or wrong in their views. Moral relativism…
The Bible has a lot to say about laziness and warns against it. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical passages on laziness: Proverbs on laziness The book of Proverbs contains many warnings against laziness and exhortations to diligence and hard work: “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8) “The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.” (Proverbs 20:4) “The desire of the…
The question of whether Jesus existed before Abraham is an interesting one that the Bible provides insight into. To properly address this topic, we must look at what the Bible says about the nature of Jesus, His relationship to God the Father, and the statements He makes that relate to existing before Abraham. The Eternal Nature of Jesus According to the Bible, Jesus is eternal. He has always existed and was not created. We see this in verses such as: John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”…
New Covenant Theology (NCT) is a theological framework for understanding the overall story-line of the Bible. It focuses on the new covenant that was instituted by Jesus Christ and how He fulfills the promises of the old covenants. Here is an overview of NCT and its key beliefs: Central Focus on Jesus Christ and the New Covenant NCT puts Jesus Christ and the new covenant at the center of its biblical interpretation. It sees Jesus as the fulfillment of all previous covenants that God made with humanity, including the covenants with Abraham, Moses, and David. Through His life, death, and…
Jesus performed many miracles during His earthly ministry, yet He often told people not to tell others about what He had done. There are several reasons why Jesus may have given these instructions: 1. To avoid sensationalism and hype Jesus was not interested in gaining a reputation as a miracle worker or becoming a sensational figure. He wanted people to focus on His teaching and message rather than being wowed by His supernatural acts. Telling people not to spread the news about miracles allowed Jesus’ message to be the focus rather than the miracles themselves. We see this after Jesus…
The Mosaic Law refers to the laws and commandments that God gave to the people of Israel through Moses on Mount Sinai after leading them out of slavery in Egypt. The Law is found primarily in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It provided the Israelites with instructions for how to live as God’s chosen people and maintain a right relationship with Him. Understanding the purpose and role of the Mosaic Law is important for properly interpreting the message of the Bible. To Reveal God’s Holy Nature and Character A primary purpose of the Mosaic Law was to…
