Amid the sadism and horror of the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz, a Franciscan priest volunteered to die for another man. In February, 1941, the priest, Maximillan Kolbe, was captured by the Gestapo and brought to Auschwitz. There it was the rule that ten innocent prisoners must die whenever someone escaped from the concentration camp. …
Wine was a common commodity in Jewish life. It was a major agricultural product in Palestine. Solomon traded wine for timber (2 Chronicles 2:10, 15). Wine was used in worship when sacrificing a lamb (Numbers 15:6-7). Wine was also used as a beverage. Whenever one discusses a Christian view on drinking, the question arises, “Was …
A seldom used but important word is the word “advocate.” Translated from the Greek word parakletos, its essential meaning is “called to one’s side” or “intercessor.” An advocate is one who pleads another’s case, usually before a court of law. It can also mean one who sympathizes with us in times of trouble as a counselor …
The Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22-23 speaks of the fruit of the Spirit, that is, the nine-fold characteristic of the growing Christian life. Each of the aspects is related to the others and they all are to be cultivated together. The second quality of the fruit of the Spirit is “joy.” Joy for believers in …
Believers are to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). The Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse of that fruit in Galatians 5:22-23. The fifth aspect of the fruit of the Spirit he mentions is “gentleness” or “kindness”(NIV). The Greek word chrestothes means “a tender concern for others.” it can also mean “useful, outgoing, and benevolent,” …
Words must be carefully defined when used, or else they take on meanings that were never intended. One such word frequently arising in discussions on the Bible is “inspiration.” While it is a biblical term, its real meaning is often obscured. We find this word used in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by …
In the songs, “There is a Balm in Gilead” and “Did You Think to Pray?” we sing of an ancient medicine which has become a reference to the forgiveness and spiritual healing of God. This “balm” is an aromatic ointment made from the Gilead balsam, which now grows in southern Arabia. In Bible times, the …
The word “Christian” appears only three times in the New Testament. Acts 11:26 records that “the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” This apparently was not a name they adopted themselves, but outsiders likely used it as a negative term. It essentially means a “little Christ,” or one who patterns his life after that …
Demons are those spirit beings which oppose the work of God. They are under the direction of Satan, with whom they rebelled against the authority of God (Revelation 12:3-4). At times they are called “unclean spirits” (Matthew 10:1), or “evil spirits” (Luke 7:21). Mention is made of them over 100 times in the New Testament. …
Eschatology is the “study of last things.” It is derived from two Greek words, eschatos, meaning “last, latter, or end;” and ology, meaning “study of, doctrine.” The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary says the “last things” commonly dealt with are those of “second coming of Christ and the events preceding and following this great event.” When speaking of this idea …
