Second Clue: It’s not any date selected by humans.
Third Clue: It’s a celebration commanded by Jesus himself to be memorialized.
Fourth Clue: It’s not the Christianized pagan celebration of Easter.
Fifth clue: It’s not the meticulously calculated “Memorial of Jesus’ Death”, in which few to none partake of the wine and bread, as celebrated by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Sixth clue: It’s not a day to memorialize those who died in wars.
So what is it then?
“Then he took a loaf, gave thanks, and broke it in pieces, and gave it to them, and said, ‘This is my body which is to be given for you. Do this as a memorial to me.'” (Luke 22:19 Williams New Testament, emphasis added) “In the same way, after the supper he took the cup and said, ‘This cup is God’s new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me'” (1 Corinthians 11:25 GNB). “Do this in memory of me.” (Luke 22:19 NAB) Obviously, this is the unleavened bread, symbolizing Jesus’ body, partaken of by true Christians. This is the real Memorial Day for Christians.read more
Millions of people around the world claim to have the “gift of tongues”, and to be able to “speak in tongues”. That the Bible speaks of such a gift is beyond dispute. The New Testament books of Acts and 1 Corinthians contain historical and doctrinal information relating to this gift of the spirit. What about today? Is the miraculous gift of “speaking in tongues” still happening today?
“TONGUES” IN THE EARLY CHURCH
What Were They?
First of all, let’s consider what “speaking in tongues” was in the 1st century. When miraculous “tongues” were first spoken, “there were devout Jews from every nation” present in the crowd, and although “all these people who [were] speaking [were] Galileans . . . each [person in the crowd heard] them in his own native language” (Acts 2:4-8 NAB). In attendance at that gathering of Jews from all around the Roman Empire were people from about 15 diverse areas, who were native speakers of about that many different languages, hearing Galilean Jews “speak different languages as the Spirit gave them power to express themselves” (Acts 2:4 NJB). These speakers were empowered by the holy Spirit to miraculously speak foreign languages that they did not know. And yet, each person in the crowd heard “them preaching in [their] own native language about the marvels of God” (Acts 2:11 NJB). read more
The Spanish Inquisition Type of Atrocities Foretold In Bible
An auto-da-fé, an important ritual of the Spanish Inquisition, being performed in Madrid, Spain in 1680. | Wikimedia Commons
The horrible persecutions of the Spanish Inquisition of the Roman Catholic Church officially began February 6,1481. These types of atrocities by “Christians” were actually foretold and warned about in the Bible.
“The time will come when those who kill you will think that by doing this they are serving God.”—John 16:2 GNB
The following article, “The First Spanish Inquisition of February 6, 1481”, appeared in The Christian Post on February 2, 2025:
“This week marks the anniversary of when the first ever auto-da-fé, a ceremony of the Spanish Inquisition in which heretics confess their crimes before being punished, took place in Sevilla.read more
“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22 NIV). The messages to the seven churches of Revelation all conclude with the above statement. This indicates that the message is for “everyone” who will “listen to” the word of God, the Bible (ISV). But how is the modern church pictured in the Bible?
Confusing Situation of the Modern Church
Why is Christianity so confusing? Why are there so many diverse groups in Christianity today? Is there only one true Christian religion, group, or denomination, that has God’s special favor, and who are in a “spiritual paradise,” the modern day, one and only, “ark of salvation,” whereas others who are not part of this group are outside of God’s favor, and thus in spiritual darkness? If so, does this one special group contain all the true Christians within it? Or, are individual genuine Christians scattered throughout many diverse groups? Since beliefs and practices among various Christian groups vary widely, and this has caused much “confusion” (Galatians 1:7 NIV), these are questions that need Biblical answers.read more
Does modern Israel fulfill Bible prophecy? Should we pray for Israel?
Many Christians strongly believe that modern day Israel is “God’s Chosen People,” and that Jews en masse will accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior before the end. Based on this viewpoint, they pray for modern day Israel. But, should we pray for Israel? To get the correct Biblical view in answer to this question, we need to understand and view the Old Testament in light of the New Testament, and not the other way around. People often misunderstand and mistinterpret the scriptures by doing this.read more
Jesus is the Mediator between God and man. Yet Trinitarians claim Jesus is God.
The Bible says there is only ‘one mediator between humans and God.’ Who, or what, is that?
“This, then is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven . . . ‘”—Matthew 6:9 NIV.
“No one comes to the Father except through me”—John 14:6
“There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus”—1 Timothy 2:5 NIV
While they all give ‘lip service’ (Mark 7:6-13) to the principles that the scriptures above express, Christian denominations have differing views on the exactly how the mediatorial relationship between them and God operates. So, yes, they all “say” that Jesus is the mediator, but in actual practice things are not exactly the way the Bible says they should be. For example, Catholics teach that Christians must go through their priesthood and their hierarchy, including their Pope, to have a relationship with God. Others teach that one can only have a relationship with God through their particular denomination, organization, or church. Some have even thought, or taught that a relationship with God was only possible through one particular pastor. Trinitarians often simply ignore this vital relationship. Let’s make clear what the scriptures say about this:
“The true worshippers will worship the Father”—John 4:23
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved”—John 10:8 NIV.
The Father of Jesus, Almighty God, is the only one who should be worshipped, according to the scriptures. But we must go through his Son, Jesus Christ, to have this relationship. Why?
“Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here”—Hebrews 9:11 NIVread more
What Sincere Beliefs Must a Person Hold To Be a Christian?
Many people in the world today call themselves “Christian,” but there are so many conflicting beliefs and doctrines taught among these people. So what beliefs must a person hold in order to be a true Christian? In order to answer this question, we need to look to God’s Word. Let’s see what the Bible has to say.
Christians view the Bible as God’s revelation to humanity
“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) So the first point is that one must believe that God exists, and becomes the rewarder of those sincerely seeking him.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The sincere Christian would believe the Bible (the 66 books from Genesis to Malachi) is the word of God.
The sincere Christian accepts “Scripture” as “the word of God” (John 10:35 NIV; (1 Thessalonians 2:13). They would not view the Bible as a human invention or product, but as God’s revelation to humanity.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Essential to this belief would be that God sent his Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of humanity. And each sincere Christian would exercise their faith in harmony with this fact, which means their life is built around, and upon, this belief.
“If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15) A sincere Christian will not just believe these things in an intellectual way, but will be obedient to all of God’s laws and principles from the heart. Real Christians must believe, but be
Many Christians firmly believe that they or someone they know, or know of, have been miraculously healed. Are healings for Christians today, or for non-Christians, or both?
“This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will”—Hebrews 2:3-4 NIV
In the first century, God gave the Apostles and some of their Christian associates the power to heal. But who did they heal? Were these healings performed on other Christians, or on non-Christians? Or were both healed? Let’s examine the Bible to find out.
But we also need to keep in mind Biblical warnings, such as the following, because Jesus foretold there would be many counterfeit Christian healers:
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. away from me, you evildoers'”—Matthew 7:22-23 NIVread more
God can do all things that are good! But are people divinely healed today?
Does divine healing still happen today?
“With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) Just because God CAN do all things does not mean he actually DOES all things, at all times.
“Large crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet, and He healed them. So the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing, and the glorified the God of Israel” (Matthew 15:30,31 NASB). There is no doubt that many were miraculously healed by Jesus and his apostles. Does this mean that people are miraculously healed today? Well, do we see ‘the mute being made to speak, the crippled healed, the lame enabled to walk, blind people’s sight restored, etc.’? — No, we don’t!
“I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9 NLT) The Gospel or Good News, the Christian message – is not to be, should not be, and does not – change.
Therefore, if modern Christians heal by the same power and in the same way that Jesus and his apostles healed, then we should be able to see the evident and obvious similarities that they purport to have. However, exactly the opposite is true. In doing this, they “pervert the gospel.” (Galatians 1:7 NIV) How so? What do we mean by this?
One way is that early Christians who were baptized were not even attempted to be healed by other Christians. It was the unbelievers, the unbaptized, who were.
“Or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9) We can’t be sure what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was. It may have been a chronic illness, or poor eyesight from his blinding by Jesus. (Acts 9:3, 8-9; Galatians 4:15; Galatians 6:11) Whatever it was, Paul was not healed of it. Paul did not even ask another Christian to heal him.
“As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.” (Galatians 4:13-14) It appears that Paul had another “illness” when he first “preached the gospel” to the Galatians. He says that even “my illness was a trial to” them, they welcomed him “as if I were Christ Jesus himself.” But the point is that he was not healed of this “illness.” There was no such attempt even made.
“Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker… is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him… because he almost died for the work of Christ.” (Philippians 2:25-30) Epaphroditus was so sick that “he almost died… but God had mercy on him,” and let him get better. He recovered. Why?Many sicknesses and diseases go away due to the body’s natural immune system, and this is apparently why. Epaphroditus, like millions of other people, recovered from his serious illness, but not due to any miraculous healing.
“I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.” (2 Timothy 4:20) Paul, who had healed many other people, did not heal Tophimus, but “left him sick.” Why? Because he, like Epaphroditus, was a Christian, and Christians did not heal, or attempt to heal, other Christians.
“Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.” (1 Timothy 5:23 NLT) Timothy was often sick with stomach trouble. Paul had spent much time with Timothy. Why didn’t Paul heal Timothy, or advise Timothy to seek healing from another Christian? Because Christians did not heal other Christians.
So difference No. 1 is that Christians did not heal other Christians, according to the Bible. Very different from some today who claim that Christians do heal other Christians.
Difference No. 2 is that Jesus and his apostles healed actual organic illnesses and disabilities such as: blindness, deafness, paralysis, being crippled, leprosy, fever, demon-possession, epilepsy, “whatever their sickness or disease.” (Mat 4:23-25) They never claimed to just heal the symptoms such as a headache or back pain or stomach pain, etc. They healed the actual problem itself, the root cause. The problem or condition did not flare up again. They were 100% healed. For example:
Difference No. 2 is that people who were healed did not just get a little better, or even a lot better. No, they were totally, completely healed of the problem. No trace of it remained.
#3 – They Were Immediately Healed
Unlike supposed modern healings people got better on the spot, right then and there. No waiting.
“Instantly the leprosy disappeared.” (Luke 5:12 NLT)
“The man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. He jumped up, stood on his feet and began to walk… leaping.” (Acts 3:7-8 NLT)
“Had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding… immediately the bleeding stopped… she had been immediately healed.” (Luke 8:43-44,47 NLT)
Nationalism can be defined as loyalty and devotion to a nation, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Nationalism often involves exalting one’s own nation above all others, and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations. There is nothing wrong with loving the area in which one lives. Respecting and obeying the laws of the land is required by Almighty God himself (Romans 13:1-7). But is nationalism for Christians? If we examine the Bible carefully, do we find that nationalism could be considered idolatry?
Is nationalism for Christians?
“No one can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24) The principle here applies not only to material things coming before God, but to anything that we might put ahead of God and Jesus. This includes all nationalistic ideologies.
“It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:24) Our service to Christ must take priority over everything else. National flags and nationalistic holidays in places of worship violate this principle.
“You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3) This eternal principle of our Creator, Almighty God was expressed as the first of the ten commandments. Nationalism places the nation ahead of God Almighty, in violation of this eternal principle.
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on earth below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them.” (Exodus 20:4-5) Despite vehement denials, pledging allegiance to a national flag, or saluting it, is not in harmony with this eternal principle, embodied in the second commandment.
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He took the gold… and made it into an image of a calf. Then they said, ‘Israel, this is your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.'” (Exodus 32:4-5 HCSB)read more
What is Memorial Day for Christians?
“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (
