God’s holiness is unmatched. He responds to sin not only with grace, but also with holy judgment. When we observe the nature of sin and punishment in the Old Testament, the prophets record that God treats sin harshly. Sin affects more than merely the perpetrator, it spills over into the community, especially the family. Thus, God speaks of visiting and punishing sins to the third and fourth generation (Exodus 20:5, Numbers 14:18, Lamentations 5:7). Achan and his family’s punishment is one extraordinary example of God’s tenacity for purity, but it should not be considered as a normal response (Joshua 7). …
Baptism is one of the central events of a believer’s Christian life. Foreshadowed by the ritual cleansings performed by the Jewish community and the baptism of repentance administered by John the Baptist, Christian baptism is commanded for every believer. The Scripture institutes this act as an important ordinance in our life of obedient testimony (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:4).
What should the mode be? Sprinkling, pouring, and immersing are used, but biblically, baptism by immersion is preferable, although sickness and immobility may require another method. Baptism is usually performed by someone of spiritual authority within the local church leadership. …
The Bible actually has very little to say about the origin, duration, location, and subsistence of the soul. As this is not an essential issue to the Christian faith, diversity on this theological point is understandable.
Generally speaking, three viewpoints have been put forward.
Preexistence: Popularized by the controversial church father Origen; this idea states that God, in the beginning, created every soul. He then waits till their designated time and place in order to unite them with their body. This view is entirely based on speculation and claims no scriptural support.
Creationism: Defended by John Calvin; creationism maintains that …
From the time of the early church, December 25th has been celebrated throughout Christianity. It has served to commemorate the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Even though He was not literally born on that particular December 25th over two thousand years ago, Christmas day and the surrounding holiday season reminds us yearly of the glorious condescension of the infinite to the finite. At The Moody Church, we heartily partake of this season of guided worship and family fellowship.
Outside of Christianity, Christmas has accumulated secular, cultural significance. Many observe the holiday with no understanding of who Jesus Christ is or why …
The Old Testament institutes tithing as an obligatory act of worship by God’s people. Israelite tithes supported the landless tribe of Levi and the priesthood of God (Numbers 18:25-32, Nehemiah 10:38). They also served the giver’s family and the nation’s disadvantaged (Deuteronomy 14:22-29). This command of God was often abused or ignored (Malachi 3:8-10). As in the case with all visible acts of worship, self-righteousness cropped up among the Israelites who actually did tithe (Luke 18:12).
Through the fulfilling work of the Messiah, New Testament believers are no longer obligated to perform the particulars of the Law. Tithing is never …
Since the time of Christ, women have played pivotal roles in the growth, ministry, and vitality of the church. Incarnated into the Hellenistic culture which marginalized women’s presence and contribution, Jesus consistently included and valued women as capable equals. As the church flourished, many women not only lived out the Christian life, but some, such as Perpetua, even demonstrated their allegiance to Christ through courageous martyrdoms.
Women and men are ontologically equal in the eyes of God. In the salvific work of Christ, gender, economic, and racial divides have been superseded (Galatians 3:26-29). We are equals, as fellow heirs in …
The Scriptures plainly teach two genders, male and female, and only two modes of sexuality: celibate singleness and marriage between one man and one woman. Singleness, the state highly praised by Paul, is to be pursued for the glory of God without offering occasion for any sort of sexual immorality, including premarital (or post-marital) intercourse and pornography (1 Corinthians 7:8-9). The second option is marriage between a man and a woman. Marriage ought to be pursued and celebrated with utmost fidelity, abstaining from sins such as adultery, pornography, and polygamy (Hebrews 13:4).
Upon a complete survey of Scriptures, LGBT sexuality …
Historically speaking, “Trinity” is a term Christians use to describe the unique nature of the God of the Bible. While the Bible attests that there is only one God in essence (Deuteronomy 6:4), each particular person of the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) is referred to as being fully God (John 1:1, 14; 8:58; Acts 5:3-4).
As advocates for historical Trinitarian theology, we recognize that no definition of God is satisfactory. He cannot be comprehensively categorized or detailed. The orthodox idea of the Trinity protects that mystery, defending the coexisting biblical realities concerning God (one in …
The Moody Church Music Ministry is committed to facilitating worship, fellowship, encouragement, and outreach through a balanced program of music that includes expressions of both the ancient and modern, the eloquent and simple, and the familiar and new. We strive to prepare gatherings for worship that are Christ-exalting, life-transforming, and church unifying. Desiring more than just an inspiring or entertaining experience, we gather to hear the Word of God and respond to Him in worship and obedience.
We believe that the music we prepare each week is more than just another occasion to sing. As God’s people, we gather to …
Some people form such a strong bond with their pets that they’re only comforted when assured that they will see them again in heaven. We must realize that for some, this bonding can be especially strong.
A blind friend of The Moody Church sorrowfully tells about how he held his seeing-eye dog in his arms as he watched him die. Just imagine: for twelve years this dog had risked his own life to care for our friend, leading him safely across streets, up stairs and even into apartment buildings. If he said to the dog, “Moody Church,” the dog understood …
