The Bible describes several festivals that were celebrated by the ancient Israelites as part of their religious observance. These festivals were set forth by God in the Torah as times for the people to gather for worship, celebration, and remembrance of God’s mighty acts. Here is an overview of the major Jewish festivals found in the Bible: Passover Passover, also known as Pesach, commemorates God’s deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. As described in Exodus 12, God sent ten plagues upon Egypt to convince Pharaoh to let the Israelite slaves go free. The tenth and worst plague was…
Author: Tim Collings
The Bible has a lot to say about purity, which is an important concept for Christians seeking to live according to God’s standards. At its core, purity is about maintaining holiness and avoiding sinful desires and actions. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses and passages related to purity: Avoiding Sexual Immorality Several Bible verses warn against sexual immorality and impurity. Sexual purity is an important theme in Scripture. For example: “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” (1…
Disrespect is a serious issue that the Bible addresses many times. The Bible makes it clear that we are called to honor and respect others, especially those in authority over us. At the same time, the Bible warns against disrespectful attitudes and actions. Respecting God First and foremost, the Bible calls us to respect and honor God. We are to fear Him, praise Him, glorify Him, and obey Him (Psalm 86:9-12, Revelation 14:7). Showing disrespect towards God by failing to reverence Him or obey His commands is a grievous sin. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your…
The Bible has a lot to say about kindness. God is portrayed as kind and merciful, and His people are called to reflect His character by being kind to others. Here are some key Bible verses about kindness: Old Testament Verses on Kindness The Old Testament often speaks of God’s kindness towards His people. For example: “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15). “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8). God’s people are called to follow…
Baptists are Christians who believe that baptism should be done by full immersion in water and only after a person makes a personal confession of faith in Jesus Christ. Baptists reject infant baptism and believe that baptism is symbolic, not sacramental. Baptist churches are independently run, and part of the broader Reformation movement of the 16th century. Some of the key beliefs of Baptists include: The Bible is the sole authority for Christian faith and practice. Salvation is through faith alone in Jesus Christ, not by good works. The two ordinances instituted by Christ are baptism and communion. Baptism is…
The New English Bible (NEB) is a translation of the Bible into modern English. It was completed in 1970 and aimed to provide a fresh, dynamic translation that captured the meaning of the original biblical texts. Some key things to know about the NEB: History The New English Bible project began in 1946 as an initiative of British churches to produce a new translation of the Bible in contemporary English. A team of leading biblical scholars from various denominations worked on the translation. The New Testament was published in 1961 and the full Bible in 1970 by Oxford University Press…
The question of whether Christians should attend parties is one that does not have a definitive yes or no answer according to the Bible. There are principles and guidance that can help Christians think through this issue wisely and make God-honoring decisions. Here is an overview of biblical considerations on this topic: The Purpose and Nature of the Party Not all parties are created equal. The values, atmosphere, activities, and purpose of a party can vary greatly. Christians should thoughtfully consider what a party celebrates or promotes. Is it centered around things honoring to God or contrary to biblical values?…
The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is an English translation of the Bible published in 1989 by the National Council of Churches. It is a revision of the Revised Standard Version (RSV) published in 1952, which itself was a revision of the American Standard Version published in 1901. The NRSV was intended to be a translation that combined word-for-word and thought-for-thought principles. The revisers sought to preserve the literary excellence and rhythms of the RSV while updating its language and making it more accessible. Some of the major improvements in the NRSV include: – Use of inclusive language – The…
Should churches be seeker-friendly? The question of whether churches should be “seeker-friendly” is a complex one with arguments on both sides. Those in favor of seeker-friendly churches believe they are effective at reaching unbelievers and introducing them to the gospel message. Critics argue seeker-friendly approaches water down theology and compromise biblical truths. There are reasonable points on both sides of this issue. Ultimately, Scripture should guide churches in how to best fulfill the Great Commission while remaining faithful to God’s Word. What is a “seeker-friendly” church? The seeker-friendly church model aims to provide an inviting, comfortable environment for non-Christians exploring…
The book of Proverbs in the Bible contains extensive discussions and portrayals of both wisdom and foolishness as women. This imagery is meant to provide insight into the nature and consequences of wisdom versus folly. Here are some key reasons why wisdom and foolishness are personified as women in Proverbs: 1. To highlight the importance of choice By embodying wisdom and foolishness as female figures, Proverbs emphasizes the need to choose between them. Men are confronted with the choice of whether to follow Lady Wisdom or Dame Folly. Personification adds a sense of drama and weight to this decision. 2.…