The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. Christians believe that three days after Jesus was crucified and died, God raised him from the dead. The Bible clearly teaches that God raised Jesus from the dead, and this event is celebrated each year at Easter. Here is what the Bible says about who resurrected Jesus: God the Father Raised Jesus The Bible teaches that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus claimed that he would be killed but rise again, and said that this was the will of God the Father (Matthew 16:21, Mark 8:31).…
Author: Tim Collings
The question of whether there is a point at which we cannot be forgiven is an important one for many Christians. Nahum 3:19 says, “There is no easing your hurt; your wound is grievous. All who hear the news about you clap their hands over you. For upon whom has not come your unceasing evil?” This verse describes the impending judgment on the wicked city of Nineveh, implying that there was no more chance for them to repent and receive forgiveness. However, when we examine the broader teaching of Scripture, we see that God’s mercy and willingness to forgive are…
The issue of whether the Bible requires capital punishment for homosexual acts is complex and much debated among Christians. There are several key considerations when evaluating what Scripture says on this matter: Old Testament Laws In the Old Testament, there are a handful of verses that mention the death penalty as a punishment for male homosexual activity: “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.” (Leviticus 20:13) This law was part of the Holiness Code given specifically to…
The Bible has a wealth of wisdom and guidance when it comes to raising children. As parents, we have the immense responsibility of shaping our children’s character, teaching them values, and preparing them for life. The book of Proverbs especially focuses a lot on parenting, emphasizing the importance of discipline, instruction, wisdom, and leading by godly example. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical principles for raising godly children: 1. Children are a blessing from God The Bible shows that children are a gift and blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5). We need to receive each child…
Paganism is a broad term that refers to religious traditions and practices that are rooted in nature worship and polytheism (worship of multiple gods). The word “pagan” comes from the Latin word “paganus” meaning “country dweller” or “rustic.” In ancient times, Christianity and Judaism were the dominant religions in cities and towns, while people in rural areas tended to practice indigenous nature religions. Over time, “pagan” became a pejorative term used by Christians and Jews to refer to adherents of non-Abrahamic polytheistic religions. Some key characteristics of pagan religions and spiritual practices: – Reverence for nature and honoring the cycles…
The concept of penitence is central to the Bible’s message about humanity’s relationship with God. Penitence refers to remorse and regret for one’s sins, along with the desire to repent and change one’s ways. The Bible emphasizes the importance of sincere penitence in receiving God’s forgiveness and restoring a right relationship with Him. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly calls His people to repentance. He sent prophets to warn of the consequences of unrepentant sin and to urge God’s people to turn from wickedness. When God’s people hardened their hearts and refused to repent, judgment inevitably followed. But when they humbled themselves,…
Gog and Magog are two mysterious entities mentioned in the Bible, primarily in the books of Ezekiel and Revelation. There has been much speculation throughout history about their true identity and nature. Here is an overview of the key biblical passages about Gog and Magog and the theories about what they represent. Ezekiel 38-39 The first major mention of Gog and Magog is in Ezekiel 38-39. In these chapters, Ezekiel receives a vision and prophecy about an end-times attack on Israel led by a ruler called “Gog, of the land of Magog” (Ezekiel 38:2 ESV). Some key points from Ezekiel’s…
# What is the Romanian Orthodox Church? The Romanian Orthodox Church is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church. It is in full communion with other Eastern Orthodox churches, and is ranked seventh in order of precedence. The church shares the same beliefs and practices as the other Eastern Orthodox churches. ## History The Romanian Orthodox Church traces its history back to the spread of Christianity into the region of modern-day Romania during the early years of the faith. According to tradition, the apostle Andrew preached the gospel in Dobruja. The first historical mention of Christianity on the territory of present-day Romania…
The Scofield Reference Bible is a study Bible edited and annotated by the American Bible student Cyrus I. Scofield. First published in 1909 by Oxford University Press, it is sometimes called the most influential theological work of the early 20th century. The Scofield Reference Bible promoted dispensationalism, a theology that divides biblical history into separate periods of time or dispensations. It focuses on eschatology, or the study of end times Biblical prophecy. The Scofield Reference Bible includes Scofield’s study notes along the bottom and side margins of pages. These notes comment on the Biblical text and provide a guide to…
The preterist view of the end times, also known as preterism, is an eschatological perspective that views many of the biblical prophecies concerning the end times as having already been fulfilled in the first century AD. Preterism comes from the Latin word praeter, meaning “past” or “beyond.” This view stands in contrast to futurism, which sees most end times prophecies as yet to be fulfilled. According to preterism, the events described in Matthew 24, 2 Thessalonians 2, and the book of Revelation largely took place at or before the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70. Preterists believe…