Trinity vs. Oneness

The awesomeness of God is so great I believe most of us have a difficult time wrapping our puny minds around it all. In looking at who God is, there are two main views; one being that He is a trinity (three persons in one Godhead), and the other is referred to as “oneness” (believing He is one being). The Webster’s Dictionary defines “trinity” as: 1. The cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one. 2. The union of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost in one Godhead. 3. Three people considered as a unit. … Continue reading →

Name It and Claim It a.k.a. Prosperity Gospel

The faith movement can be seen throughout some of the Pentecostal denominations. Followers adhere to a belief that God wants all His children to be prosperous and things like sickness and poverty are curses. Granted, sickness and poverty may be curses for some, it is so important not to confuse a lack with a “curse” rather than lowliness which is justified biblically. “For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth, But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from … Continue reading →

The Mark of the Beast

“He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number … Continue reading →

The Armor of God for Christian Soldiers

Ephesians 6:10-18 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand … Continue reading →

The Functions and Attributes of the Holy Spirit

What are the functions and attributes of the Holy Spirit? The day a person receives Christ, I believe the Holy Spirit of God takes up permanent residency in that person. A Christian’s relationship with the Holy Spirit is too often ignored or under-emphasized. Here are a few functions of the Holy Spirit which are laid out for us in Scripture. 1. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin (John 16:8-9). In the unsaved, He convicts of sin to bring them to salvation. In the saved, He convicts of sin to keep them clean and show them how to live for Jesus. … Continue reading →

What is the Millennial Reign?

Some Christians, mostly conservative Protestants, believe that the Great Tribulation will be followed by the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth. This reign will take place after a rebellion of Satan, in which Satan was bound and cast into the bottomless pit, but before the final judgment of mankind. Since the earth was completely decimated during the Tribulation, God makes a new earth, completely restored, beautiful and sinless. During this time He lives and reigns will all of those who have trusted in Him throughout human history. Revelation 20:4-6 gives the Scriptural basis for this belief: And I saw thrones, … Continue reading →

What is the Tribulation? Part 2

The Great Tribulation is a period of seven years in which God will judge the wicked on the earth. It will be a time of great persecution and suffering for all mankind, and especially for those who remain true to Jesus Christ. The Bible mentions several different judgments that will occur during the Tribulation. They are referred to as the Seven Trumpet Judgments, the Seven Seal Judgments, and the Seven Bowl Judgments (seven is the number of perfection in the Bible): Seven Seals: The Tribulation will begin with the Antichrist rising to power. He will cause the world to believe … Continue reading →

What is the Tribulation? Part 1

The Great Tribulation is a period of time, most Bible students say a period of seven years, in which the world will see the greatest destruction, turmoil and death of all time. It is a period of God unleashing His wrath on the earth for all of those who have rejected Him. His ultimate purpose in the tribulation is to bring His people, Israel, back to Himself through His righteous judgment. Many Protestants believe that the Great Tribulation could begin at any time, and that it must be accomplished before the Millennial Reign of Christ. Some view these events as … Continue reading →

What is the Rapture? Part 2

The short answer is, “Nobody knows”. Jesus said that “No man knoweth the day nor the hour.” God wanted the timing of the rapture to be uncertain to people living on the earth. Why? Probably so that no one would get comfortable in his Christian life and think, “I can live however I want, Jesus isn’t coming back for __ years.” etc. Instead, Jesus wants His church to always be ready for His return. Still, many scholars through careful study of the Bible have developed theories about the timing of the rapture. 1. Pre-Tribulational View This view holds that the … Continue reading →

What is the Rapture? Part 1

Over the past several years the teaching of the Rapture of the Church has been much taught, publicized and debated among Protestants, Evangelicals and in the public forum. What is the Rapture? Though the word “rapture” is never found in the Bible, the idea for the doctrine is found in I Thessalonians 4:13-18, which states: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, (dead) that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus … Continue reading →