The law of first mention is a biblical interpretive principle that states that the first mention of a subject in Scripture establishes an unchangeable pattern, a foundational template meaning, for that particular subject. This principle applies to doctrines, rituals, names, and words themselves. The first time a word or concept appears in the Bible influences how that word or concept should be interpreted throughout the rest of Scripture. The law of first mention is demonstrated in Genesis 3 with the first appearance of the serpent. The serpent is established in this first appearance as a creature cursed by God, destined…
Author: Tim Collings
In Isaiah 56:7, God declares through the prophet Isaiah, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” This verse points to an important truth about the nature and purpose of God’s house. Let’s explore the meaning and significance of God designating His house as a “house of prayer.” 1. God’s house is meant for encountering His presence The temple or tabernacle in the Old Testament was viewed as God’s dwelling place on earth. Although God cannot be contained in a man-made structure (1 Kings 8:27), His presence filled the temple in a special way (2 Chronicles…
Martin of Tours was a 4th century bishop who is considered one of the most significant saints in Western Christianity. He was born around 316 or 336 AD in the Roman province of Pannonia (modern-day Hungary). His father was a pagan Roman officer who enlisted Martin in the army at a young age. However, Martin became attracted to Christianity and was baptized at age 18. He left the army around 356 AD and became a disciple of St. Hilary, the bishop of Poitiers in what is now France. Martin traveled and preached the Gospel throughout Gaul (modern France). He founded…
The Remnant Fellowship is a Christian fellowship founded by Gwen Shamblin in 1999. Gwen Shamblin was a diet guru who founded the Weigh Down Workshop, a Christ-centered weight loss program. After experiencing success with Weigh Down Workshop, Shamblin felt called by God to start a new ministry focused on getting back to the original teachings of Jesus Christ. This led to the founding of the Remnant Fellowship. The core beliefs of the Remnant Fellowship are based on restoring original Christianity as taught in the Bible. Here are some key teachings of the Remnant Fellowship: Obedience to God The Remnant Fellowship…
The Bible has much to say about receiving and responding to divine messages and invitations. The concept of an “application received” can refer to God’s acceptance and approval of someone or something presented for consideration. Here are some key biblical teachings related to this idea: 1. God examines the heart – When people come to God in faith or present offerings and sacrifices, he looks past outward appearances to the sincerity and state of their heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Only if their heart attitude is right will their “application” be received. 2. God desires humility and repentance – He rejects…
The divine council is a concept found throughout the Bible describing God’s heavenly court and the angelic beings He rules over. Though not explicitly defined, there are over two hundred references to this divine council in the Old and New Testaments. The basic idea is that God, as King, presides over an assembly of divine beings who interact with Him and carry out His will. While the exact nature and membership of this council is shrouded in mystery, the scriptural evidence gives us intriguing glimpses into the supernatural realm and God’s relationship with angelic powers. The clearest depiction of the…
Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” This verse encourages believers to fill their minds with godly virtues and truths rather than unwholesome thoughts. Let’s explore the meaning and application of this verse in detail. The Context of Philippians 4:8 Paul wrote this letter to the Philippian church while he was imprisoned (Philippians 1:13). Despite his circumstances, his letter overflows with joy and encouragement for the Philippians to…
The story of the wise men, also known as the Magi, is found only in Matthew 2:1-12. The Bible does not specify the exact number of Magi that came to see Jesus, simply stating that wise men came from the east. Most assume there were three because of the three gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh. However, the number of wise men is not essential to the story. Here is what the Bible reveals about the Magi: They were “wise men from the east” (Matthew 2:1). Traditionally called the “three kings,” they were likely astrologers and/or astronomers from Persia, Babylon…
The exact date of Jesus’ birth is not recorded in the Bible. However, based on the biblical accounts and historical information, most scholars agree that Jesus was likely born in the fall/winter, sometime between 6 B.C. and 4 B.C., not on December 25. Here are some of the key points around this topic: The Bible does not mention a specific date for Jesus’ birth The gospels of Matthew and Luke provide details surrounding Jesus’ birth, such as the virgin conception (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38), the place of birth being Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4-7), and the angelic announcements made to…
Halloween has become a popular holiday celebrated each year on October 31st, with children and adults alike dressing up in costumes and going door-to-door for treats. But what are the origins of Halloween, and what does the Bible have to say about this holiday? The history of Halloween dates back over 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated on November 1st in areas of Europe now known as Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France. According to Celtic folklore, it was believed that on October 31st the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred, allowing…