Yes, deaconesses may be elected in the church (ecclesia). In fact, the Bible mentions one sister who served in that capacity, although it doesn’t say whether or not she was elected. Romans 16:1 (NIV), “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon (servant) of the church in Cenchreae.”
The word “deacon” is from the Greek […]
We start this cleansing process by keeping our minds focused on God. Romans 12:1,2 (Phillips translation), “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God remold your minds from within…meet all his demands and move toward the goal of true maturity.”
Philippians 4:4-9 (Phillips translation), “Delight yourselves in God…never forget […]
During the three-and-a-half years of our Jesus’s ministry, our Lord was crucified in a figurative sense; that is, he was daily delivered up to death – his will, his talents, his all were sacrificed – to follow his Father’s will. Every deed of his by which “virtue went out of him” (Luke 6:19) […]
It is always proper for Christians to pray for divine protection or deliverance from ungodliness. Jesus, himself, taught us to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13)
But our “faith” is tested when it seems that God doesn't hear our petitions. Our Lord was similarly tested in the garden […]
It depends on what is wrong with the relationship. If the spouse is committing adultery or practicing a sinful behavior, then that person’s relationship with God is strained. God, Himself, does not depart from the person, because God has promised He will never leave a true Christian. Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV), “…He Himself has said, "I […]
Malachi 3:10 says, “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.’”
The whole book of Malachi […]
Philippians 2:12,13 reads: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
We receive salvation by grace […]
Jesus did not act like a policeman. He did not point out every sin in His followers. He loved people and died for us. All of His actions, thoughts, and words displayed righteousness and love. On the other hand, He also did not support sin. He did not go to houses of prostitution to judge […]
Practicing homosexuality is forbidden in the Bible. (Leviticus 20:13) Our hearts go out to those struggling with these feelings. Those dear ones will need to lead a celibate life. (Please recognize: many heterosexuals are also celibate. Celibacy is practiced for a variety of different reasons.)
However, all of us are sinners and Jesus died for every […]
