Is Easter a Pagan Holiday? Easter is one of the most important Christian holidays, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. However, some claim that Easter has pagan origins and is not actually a Christian celebration. What does the Bible say about this? The Name “Easter” The English word “Easter” comes from the German word “Ostern”, which is related to the name of an ancient Germanic goddess named “Eostre”. Some pagans celebrated the vernal equinox and the start of spring in her honor. However, there is scholarly debate about whether or not Eostre was an actual pagan goddess…
Author: Tim Collings
The Bible does not give an explicit, definitive answer on the precise moment of death. However, through various passages and principles, we can develop a biblical understanding of what likely constitutes the moment of death. Here is an overview of key considerations: The departure of the spirit/breath Several verses associate death with the departure of the spirit or breath. When Jesus died on the cross, He said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46). Stephen similarly cried out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” before dying (Acts 7:59). James 2:26 states that “the body apart from the spirit…
The Acts of John is an early Christian text dating to the 2nd century AD that gives an account of the apostle John’s ministry and miracles. It is part of the New Testament apocrypha – texts relating to the apostles that were not included in the canonical New Testament. The Acts of John was likely composed in Asia Minor and while considered heretical or fraudulent by some early Church Fathers, it provides insight into early Christian beliefs and legends surrounding the apostles. Overview of the Text The full Acts of John text as we have it today is fragmented, with…
The biblical concept of emasculation refers to making a man less masculine or depriving him of his strength and power. When analyzing this topic, it’s important to understand the historical and cultural context of ancient biblical times. In patriarchal societies, men held positions of leadership and authority both in the home and society. Anything that threatened or diminished their masculinity was seen as emasculating. The Bible speaks to this concept of emasculation both literally and figuratively. One literal example is Deuteronomy 23:1 which prohibited any man whose testicles were crushed or whose penis was cut off from entering the assembly…
The Mafia, also known as organized crime syndicates, have existed in various forms for centuries. Today, the Italian Mafia and its American offshoots are among the most well-known criminal organizations. How should Christians view and respond to the presence of the Mafia and mob culture? First, the Bible makes it clear that Christians must submit to governing authorities (Romans 13:1-7) and live as good citizens who obey the law (1 Peter 2:13-17). The activities of the Mafia – including murder, theft, extortion, gambling, prostitution, smuggling, and more – are biblically unlawful. Christians should renounce the Mafia’s culture of violence and…
The phrase “come out from among them” originates from the Bible and refers to separating oneself from the ungodly influences of the world. It is based on several passages in Scripture that instruct believers to be set apart and avoid closely associating with those who do not share Christian values and beliefs. One of the clearest statements is found in 2 Corinthians 6:17 (ESV): “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you.” Here, the apostle Paul is quoting from the Old Testament prophets Isaiah…
The Bible has a lot to say about secrets and keeping confidences. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible passages that deal with this topic: Proverbs 11:13 – The importance of keeping confidences “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.” This proverb emphasizes the importance of keeping confidences and not betraying secrets that have been shared in trust. Those who gossip and slander others cannot be trusted to keep secrets, but the trustworthy person “keeps a thing covered.” Proverbs 20:19 – Guard your words “Whoever goes about…
Praising the Lord is a central theme throughout the Bible. It involves expressing worship, gratitude, and adoration to God for who He is and what He has done. Here is an overview of some key points about praising the Lord from a biblical perspective: The importance of praising God The Bible encourages praising God in many places. Psalms 150:6 states, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” We are created to praise God and give Him glory (Isaiah 43:21). When we praise God, we align ourselves with His purposes and delight in who He is. “I will bless the…
Anointing is an important concept in the Bible that is mentioned over 150 times across both the Old and New Testaments. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses about anointing: Anointing in the Old Testament In the Old Testament, anointing was often associated with consecrating someone or something for God’s purposes. Here are some examples: Exodus 28:41 – God instructs Moses to anoint Aaron and his sons to consecrate them as priests. 1 Samuel 10:1 – Samuel anoints Saul to be the first king over Israel. 1 Samuel 16:13 – Samuel anoints David to be the future king…
The laying on of hands is a symbolic act that is described several times throughout the Bible. It was used in various contexts, including healing, blessing, ordaining, and appointing. Here is an overview of some of the key passages in Scripture that mention the laying on of hands: Healing One of the most common uses of laying on hands in the Bible is for healing. There are several examples of Jesus and the apostles healing the sick through the laying on of hands: Mark 6:5 – Jesus laid hands on the sick and healed them in Nazareth. Mark 8:23 -…