CHRISTIANITY

Before the Diaconate as it is commonly understood today, became settled in traditional Christianity, the Greek term Διάκονος, simply meant “Helper, Waiter, or Servant”. It has been assumed that this ministry appeared officially as an occupation the moment the Apostles consecrated the seven table waiters in Acts 6:1-6; however, the term διάκονος does not appear here, at all. But it is most probable, due to the nature of the function and the fact that it was the first time they selected people for that labour, even though the name it is not explicitly used there. The word was used for the first time in the NT, in Paul’s epistle to Romans, speaking about Phoebe (Romans 16:1), but mentioned only as part of a longer conversation, which indicates that by the year 58 CE, the term and the function was well known. Soon after, the term is used in the epistle to the Philippians 1:1, together with the Elders, as an established class of local leaders, which also indicates that even prio

The Redemptive work of our Lord Christ was consummated at the Cross and Resurrection and it was sempiternal, with its effects engulfing all past, present and future (Hebrews 7:27; 9:26). However a form of propitiatory redemption took place at the Jordan during his baptism at the hands of St John the Baptist. Our Lord redeemed all those who went into the waters of repentance to be baptised by John, in true faith. Prophet John, our Lord’s cousin, practiced the ritual washing of the body by immersion, as it was the custom among the Jews, as a public sign of repentance, cleansing and commitment to God (Leviticus 15:11-12; 16:4, 23-24; Numbers 19:7-10). As in the case of the goat that carried away the sins of the people away from the congregation (Leviticus 16:20-22), the ritual washing meant the sins of the repentant were taken away in the running water, away from them for ever. (1) When our Lord Christ went to John requesting to be baptised, He did not have a single sin to rep

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “HE IS MY REFUGE AND MY FORTRESS, MY GOD, IN WHOM I TRUST.” Surely, he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “THE LORD IS MY REFUGE,” and you make the Most-High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lif

Many times, we may have encountered other Christians who have made harsh critics to others, for keeping Lent, Easter or Christmas. The reason they give, is that the Scripture does not prescribe any “Christian” festival, neither commands to celebrate the above-mentioned days. And even more, they attribute to them, a pagan significance, pointing out similar celebrations that pagans kept on those days before Christianity arrived, and the deliberate intention of the Church at the time, to overshadow them under a “Christian” façade. To this claim, we must have two things in mind: 1 – WE ARE ALLOWED TO DO WHAT THE BIBLE DOES NOT FORBID If God wanted something to stop, or not to be practiced; He would have said it expressly, or at least, implied within the scriptural principles. God gave humanity creative power and freedom. It is a quality pertaining to our Godly Image and Likeness. And with that, God given faculty, it is our freedom to worship and make offerings to ou

In modern times, women have become used to present themselves through social media in a provocative manner, in order to attract attention. And among them, even professing Christian women Photos in tight and short dresses, revealing the contour of their bodies or even part of their flesh, mostly breast and tights, or even just their faces; but done in a provocative manner, is seen everyday from women that are supposed to be followers of Jesus. It is hard to describe “provocative manner” from a man to a woman, the same as it could be to describe that term from a woman to a man. People’s perceptions vary according to culture and sex, and what it may seem suggestive to some, it may be normal by others. But nevertheless, there are certain aspects of decency that are still universal in most of the planet. In our Western culture, breast and naked tights are erogenous zones. Men discuss about the size of breasts, legs and backsides of women, as well as other parts of their bodi

In life, everyone is at one time or another, victim of some injustice or evil act. When that happens, some react with anger, others with sadness, but both types of victims, will experience pain and disappointment, and also some level of depression; and all of them will be damaged to some extent, depending on the evil suffered, and this will produce bitterness. This bitterness will lead to a desire of revenge for many, in one way or another, depending on the individual. But most of them, directly or indirectly, legally or ilegally, will seek some form of compensation for their suffering. SEEKING COMPENSATION IS A RIGHT Whether the injustice suffered is physical, material or moral, human law throughout history and in order to keep society under control, has implemented devices to obtain some compensation for the victims of these abuses. If you have been physically assaulted, charges may be filed against the attacker with jail time and monetary compensation. If y