The book of Acts provides detailed accounts of the early New Testament Church, including the dramatic story of Paul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle. Known as Saul in Hebrew, Paul was a relentless antagonist of the Church, intent on imprisoning believers. His authority from the Sanhedrin extended to Damascus, 140 miles from Jerusalem, where he pursued Christians with zeal, causing widespread fear. On the road…
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Godly Church Governance – Brian Orchard leadingtolife.org
Ryan Welsh
1 week ago in Family
Church governance has often been shaped by human interpretations, with many systems reflecting autocratic, top-down authority. Historically, the Church adopted this style of leadership, which led to a “lordship” model of governance. This approach, while logical from a human perspective, contrasts with God’s governance, which is modeled on His family structure: authority flows from the Father to the Son, and then to human leaders. A…
In Democracy We Trust? – Wallace G. Smith tomorrowsworld.org
Ryan Welsh
1 week ago in Human Beings
2024, labeled by some as the “Year of Democracy,” will see more voters globally than ever before. As nearly 64 countries hold elections, democracy’s future is being fiercely debated. Yet, despite its growth, we face significant concerns about its stability. As political leaders like Kamala Harris and Donald Trump warn of democracy’s decline, a crucial question remains: Is democracy worth saving? Historically, democracies have struggled….
Idolatry youtube.com
What if just one of the Ten Commandments became a universal standard? Let’s explore the second commandment—rejecting idolatry. Idolatry isn’t just about statues and images; it’s about what controls us. We all submit to something—whether it’s money, power, comfort, or technology. As Paul says in Romans 6:16: “You are slaves of the one you obey—whether sin, which leads to death, or obedience, which leads to…
Melchizedek youtube.com
There is an interesting connection between Jesus and Abraham in Scripture. In John 8, Jesus says, “Abraham rejoiced to see My day,” as though they were friends. Abraham knew of His coming and was glad. But how could Abraham have known Jesus? Let’s go back to Genesis. Abraham meets a mysterious figure: Melchizedek, the “king of Salem” and “priest of God Most High.” Melchizedek blesses…
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible? – Tom Clark and Erik Jones lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh
3 weeks ago in Bible
In Genesis 14, we meet Melchizedek, the “king of Salem” and “priest of God Most High.” He blesses Abram after his victory and receives a tithe from him, offering bread and wine—a gesture echoed in the New Covenant Passover. Though Genesis mentions Melchizedek briefly, his significance unfolds in Psalms and Hebrews. Psalm 110:4 prophesies a Messiah who will be “a priest forever according to the…
Is Thanksgiving Rooted in a Biblical Festival? – Mario Seiglie ucg.org
Ryan Welsh
4 weeks ago in Thanksgiving
Did you know the first Thanksgiving in the U.S. shares striking similarities with the biblical Feast of Tabernacles? While the Pilgrims didn’t intentionally observe this biblical festival, both celebrations share a spirit of gratitude to God for His blessings. Both take place in autumn and center on thanking God for a fruitful harvest. The Pilgrims, deeply rooted in biblical teachings, were profoundly influenced by the…
What Is Faith? ucg.org
Ryan Welsh
4 weeks ago in Bible
God wants us to know Him and develop a relationship with Him, offering assurance of His plans for us now and in the future. His Word reveals that godliness benefits all aspects of life, both present and eternal (1 Timothy 4:8). Yet, there’s a critical distinction between merely believing in God and truly believing God. Believing in God acknowledges His existence. Many people do this,…
The Seven Churches: What Now? – Richard T. Ritenbaugh cgg.org
Ryan Welsh
4 weeks ago in The Church
Internal biblical evidence indicates that the seven churches of Revelation 2-3 represent attitudes and conditions within God’s church throughout history, culminating in the end time. Revelation’s focus on the Day of the Lord (Revelation 1:1, 10) underscores this conclusion. The prevalent attitude of the Laodicean church (Revelation 3:14-22), marked by spiritual indifference, mirrors conditions today as Christ’s return approaches. As the church undergoes scattering, what…
God’s Name in Vain youtube.com
Imagine a world where the universally accepted standard is to never take God’s name in vain. What would that look like? How would it transform our world? At its core, this commandment isn’t just about avoiding blasphemy or disrespectful speech. It’s about humility—living in a way that reflects God’s character, truth, and love in every word and action. If society embraced this command, we’d see…
Lucifer youtube.com
Before he was Satan, meaning “adversary,” Lucifer was a high-ranking angel, known as the “shining one.” As an anointed cherub, he served near God’s throne, perfect in wisdom and beauty (Ezekiel 28). But pride corrupted him. He sought to exalt himself above God, leading a rebellion and convincing a third of the angels to join him (Isaiah 14). Cast down from heaven (Revelation 12), he…
What Is Spirit? – Steve Moody lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh
1 month ago in Holy Spirit
The Bible presents God as a spirit (John 4:24), and angels are also spirits (Hebrews 1:13-14), suggesting that the entire spirit realm is composed of spirit, unlike the material world, which is made up of matter. This means that everything associated with God’s presence—including His throne (Ezekiel 10:1) and the heavenly sanctuary represented by the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:17,…
The Church Through the Ages – John H. Ogwyn tomorrowsworld.org
Ryan Welsh
1 month ago in The Church
The Church that Jesus Christ built has faced challenges throughout history, as depicted in Revelation 2 and 3, where Christ addresses the seven churches of Asia Minor. These churches symbolize both literal first-century congregations and different periods of Church history. The first, Ephesus, represents the Apostolic era, where the Church struggled with false teachings and lost its zeal after Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 AD. Smyrna,…
Sabbath Day youtube.com
Imagine a world where just one of the Ten Commandments was prioritized. In this case commandment 4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. With just this one command society would transform. Being much more than just a break from work; this would be a chance for real connection. Every Sabbath would become a day to nurture relationships, uplift neighbors, and serve each other’s…
Creation Story youtube.com
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) All that was created was created by the Word, who later became Jesus Christ. (John 1:1) As God laid the foundations of the earth, “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” (Job 38:4-7) All was very good! (Genesis 1:31) But then, something happened. The earth became…
The Holy Day Satan Hates Most – David Treybig lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh
2 months ago in Atonement
The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, is a holy day focusing on humanity’s reconciliation with God. The word “atonement” means making amends or restoring a relationship. This day signifies the time when the whole world will have the opportunity to be reconciled to God after Jesus Christ returns (Romans 5:10). Christians today can seek forgiveness through repentance (1 John 1:9), but the Day of…
Godly Justice leadingtolife.org
Ryan Welsh
2 months ago in Atonement
Administering justice is a key theme in the Bible. God expects His people to practice justice, as seen in scriptures like 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, where saints are called to judge the world and even angels. The question for us is: are we practicing justice in our daily lives? In the business world, justice often aligns with legality—what is lawful is deemed just. However, laws can…
Ideological Subversion – Marshall Stiver leadingtolife.org
Ryan Welsh
3 months ago in Human Beings
In a 38-year-old interview, former KGB spy Yuri Bezmenov warned that the U.S. could be undermined through a process of ideological subversion. He explained that this method would change Americans’ perception of reality, making them unable to protect their country, families, and communities. Bezmenov outlined four stages: demoralization, destabilization, crisis, and normalization. The demoralization phase separates people from God, leaving them to rely on their…
The Trinity: What Is It? – Larry Neff lifehopeandtruth.com
Ryan Welsh
3 months ago in Trinity
The doctrine of the Trinity, a core belief of the Roman Catholic Church and most Protestant denominations, is considered essential to the Christian faith by many. However, its origins and scriptural support raise important questions. The Trinity is not found in the Bible but was a concept developed over centuries. Around A.D. 180, Theophilus of Antioch first mentioned the term, though his description of “God,…
The Fall Festivals – Jerold Aust ucg.org
Ryan Welsh
3 months ago in Holy Days
Long before modern maps, people used creative methods to represent their world. For example, the Marshall Islanders crafted stick charts to depict winds and wave patterns, while Eskimos carved coastal maps from ivory, and early Europeans sketched maps on cave walls. The concept of mapping is deeply human, representing a form of communication and understanding. Even today, we use the term “map” to describe plans…