The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance in the United States that calls on people to turn to God in prayer and meditation. It is held on the first Thursday in May each year. The purpose is for people of all faiths to unite in prayer for the nation and its leaders. The theme and Bible verse for each year’s event is chosen by the National Day of Prayer Task Force, a private evangelical organization. While it is a national observance, the event is mainly marked by local ceremonies and gatherings across the country. The National Day of…
Author: Richard Curi
This is a question that has been debated by Christians for many years. Some believe that when Jesus turned the water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana (John 2:1-11), it was actual alcoholic wine. Others argue that Jesus would never create alcoholic wine, so it must have been unfermented grape juice. What does the Bible tell us about this event? Let’s take a closer look. The meaning of “wine” in the Bible The first thing to understand is that the Greek word used in John 2 for wine is οἶνος (oinos). This is a general term that can…
Tertullian was an early Christian author who lived during the late second and early third century AD. He was one of the most prolific early Latin authors and is credited as being the founder of Western theology. Tertullian made notable contributions to many areas of Christian theology such as Christology, pneumatology, ecclesiology, eschatology, and soteriology. He also wrote extensively on practical Christian themes such as repentance, baptism, prayer, and marriage. Tertullian is perhaps most famous for being the first writer in Latin known to have used the term “Trinity” and for providing the oldest extant treatise in Latin on the…
Modalism, also known as Modalistic Monarchianism or Sabellianism, is the belief that God is one being who has revealed Himself in three distinct modes or manifestations. It is essentially a denial of the doctrine of the Trinity as traditionally understood by orthodox Christianity. According to modalism, God is one person (monarchia) who has manifested Himself in three different modes or roles throughout history. These three modes are the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. At different times, God has chosen to reveal Himself in one of these modes, but He is never more than one at the…
The existence of God is a question that has been debated for centuries. The Bible provides compelling evidence that God does indeed exist and is actively involved in the world. While God’s existence cannot be definitively proven or disproven, there are strong rational, empirical, and experiential reasons to believe in God based on what the Bible teaches. The Bible begins by asserting that “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). This reveals that God has existed eternally, before the universe itself existed. The intricate design and order of the universe also points to an intelligent…
The word “Messiah” comes from the Hebrew word “mashiach” which means “anointed one.” In the Old Testament, priests, prophets and kings were anointed with oil as a sign of being set apart and commissioned by God for His service. The Messiah, therefore, was the “Anointed One” who was promised to come and deliver God’s people. Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Anointed One promised by God in the Old Testament. Jesus fulfilled many prophecies about the Messiah that were written hundreds of years before His birth. Here is a summary of key things the Bible teaches about the Messiah: The…
How can I keep the faith? Keeping the faith can be challenging in our modern world full of distractions and alternative worldviews that seem to undermine biblical principles. However, God’s Word provides timeless guidance on how to persevere in faith despite trials and temptations. Here are some key ways to keep trusting in God and clinging to your faith according to the Bible’s teachings: Pray Continually One of the most important ways to keep your faith strong is through continual prayer. As 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us, we need to “pray without ceasing.” Keeping an ongoing conversation with God enables…
Joseph of Arimathea was a secret disciple of Jesus who is mentioned in all four Gospels in the New Testament. He is most well-known for providing the tomb where Jesus was buried after his crucifixion. Here is an overview of what the Bible reveals about Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph was a wealthy, prominent member of the Jewish Sanhedrin The Gospels describe Joseph as a rich man (Matthew 27:57), as well as a member of the Sanhedrin council in Jerusalem (Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50). The Sanhedrin was the ruling religious council over the Jews that condemned Jesus to death. Even though…
The Bible makes a distinction between the words “disciple” and “apostle”, though these two terms are related. A disciple is a follower and student of Jesus Christ, while an apostle is a messenger or envoy who is sent out with a special commission. Let’s take a closer look at what the Bible teaches about disciples and apostles. Disciples of Jesus The word “disciple” comes from the Greek word mathetes, which means “a learner” or “follower.” The Gospels tell us that Jesus called twelve specific men to be His closest followers during His earthly ministry. These twelve men are known as…
The topic of whether angels have wings is one that often comes up when discussing biblical angels. The Bible is not always explicitly clear on the details of angels, so looking at the full scope of scripture is important when considering this question. There are a few key points to consider when examining what the Bible says about angel wings: The Bible does not directly state that all angels have wings. Descriptions of angels in scripture mention wings in some cases but not others. Seraphim and cherubim, two types of angels described in the Bible, are specifically said to have…