The phrase “least in the kingdom of heaven” comes from Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:19, where he says, “Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” To understand what Jesus meant by being “least” in the kingdom of heaven, we need to examine the context of this statement as well as other biblical teaching about the kingdom of heaven. Here are several key points: 1. The kingdom…
Author: Richard Curi
The phrase “you are a chosen generation” comes from 1 Peter 2:9 in the Bible. This verse says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” To understand what it means that we are a “chosen generation,” let’s break this verse down: We are chosen by God The verse starts by saying “you are a chosen race.” As Christians, we are chosen by God. This doesn’t mean God plays favorites or arbitrarily…
Genesis 2:18 states that “The Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” This verse comes after God had created Adam and given him the responsibility of caring for the Garden of Eden. However, God saw that Adam was alone and needed a companion. So God decided to create a helper suitable for Adam. There are several ways the woman was a suitable helper for the man according to Genesis 2: She was created by God to be a perfect complement and companion for Adam. Genesis…
The Bible does not explicitly state whether Adam was with Eve when she spoke to the serpent in Genesis 3:6. However, based on the context and other details in the passage, most Bible scholars believe Adam was likely present during Eve’s encounter with the serpent. Here are some key points to consider: Genesis 3 opens with the serpent approaching Eve, but does not indicate Adam was absent. There is no mention of Eve separating from Adam prior to her conversation with the serpent. Adam is implicated in Eve’s act of eating the forbidden fruit. Genesis 3:6 states “she also gave…
This is a fascinating biblical question. Throughout Scripture, we see some glimpses and indications that Satan, even after being cast out of heaven, still has some level of access to God’s presence and the heavenly realm. However, the access appears to be limited and for specific divine purposes. Let’s explore what the Bible reveals about this topic. Satan’s Original Status Before his rebellion and fall, Satan was an anointed cherub of high status in heaven. Ezekiel 28:14 describes him as “the anointed guardian cherub” who was “on the holy mountain of God.” So originally, Satan had free access to the…
This is a profound question that many people have asked throughout history. The short answer according to the Bible is – yes, with God all things are possible. However, there is much more nuance and depth to this topic that requires a thoughtful examination of Scripture. First, it’s important to understand what is meant by “all things.” This does not mean that God will grant any frivolous wish or desire we may have. Rather, within the context of God’s will and His purposes, He is able to accomplish things that are humanly impossible. With God, nothing that aligns with His…
Militarism can be defined as the belief or policy that a country should maintain a strong military capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests. It involves glorification of the military and military solutions. The Bible does not explicitly use the term “militarism,” but it does contain principles and teachings that address this ideology. Old Testament Examples and Teachings In the Old Testament, militarism was sometimes part of the culture, with nations building strong armies and using them aggressively. Israel went to war against surrounding nations at times, seeking to conquer territories God had…
The “Bible Belt” is an informal region in the southeastern and south-central United States where evangelical Protestantism plays an especially strong role in society and politics. The name comes from the high concentration of evangelical Christians living in the area who tend to take the Bible very literally. Some key characteristics of the Bible Belt include: High church attendance rates – People living in the Bible Belt are much more likely to regularly attend religious services than those in other parts of the country. Politically conservative – The Bible Belt strongly tends to vote for conservative candidates and policies. High…
The phrase “communion of the saints” appears in the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed, two foundational statements of Christian belief that date back to the early centuries of the church. But what does this short phrase actually mean? Here is an overview of the biblical basis and historical understanding of the “communion of the saints.” The Biblical Basis The idea of the “communion of saints” is rooted in several biblical themes: Unity of Believers The New Testament speaks frequently of the close spiritual bond between believers in Christ. This includes their shared connection to Christ and common experience of…
Impartation is the process by which one person transfers something spiritual to another person. In the Bible, impartation often involves the transference of spiritual gifts, anointing, revelation, or calling from one person to another. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about impartation: Impartation of Spiritual Gifts The Bible shows several examples of spiritual gifts being imparted from one person to another through the laying on of hands: – In Acts 8, Peter and John prayed for the new believers in Samaria to receive the Holy Spirit. “Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they…