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The Coming of Jesus: Daniel's 70 Weeks

...eaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen before in a vision, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. He came and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come out to give you wisdom and understanding. At the beginning of your supplications a word went out, and I have come to declare it, for you are greatly beloved. So consider the word and understand the vision: “Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city: to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and under...

Lent: Day 11 - Ignatius to Polycarp

...rs” and prayer to the Lord, and it is recorded in the closing chapter of this letter that some “saw the blessed Ignatius” standing with them and embracing the group, and “others beheld him again praying” for them and lastly, some saw him sweating and “standing by the Lord” as though coming from “his great labour”. Whether you accept the genuineness of this last letter or not, I think it gives some nice closure to the life of Ignatius which we’ve briefly been following over the last few days....

Lent: Day 17 - Justin Martyr: First Apology: Chaps. 60-68

...when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen … And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. Conclusion Justin concludes his Apology the Emperor by pleading that, “if these things seem to you to be reasonable and true, h...

Lent Day 20: Cyprian: On the Unity of the Church: 19-27

...selves to prayer” (Acts 1:14; 4:32), “and thus they prayed with effectual prayers; thus they were able with confidence to obtain whatever they asked from the Lord's mercy.” But now he laments because the “unanimity is diminished” among the believers and no longer do they sell their possessions or share things for the common good, as the Church once did. Now, he observes, “we do not even give the tenths from our patrimony (inheritance)” and would rather buy than sell to store up treasures in heaven. Thus has the vigour of faith dwindled away among us; thus has the strength of believers grown weak. Quoting Luke 18:8 about whether Jesus will f...

Lent Day 31: Cyril of Jerusalem: Catechetical Lectures: Lecture XX

...od and by prayer, as not only to burn and cleanse away the traces of sins, but also to chase away all the invisible powers of the evil one”. Next, being led to the baptismal pool as Christ was carried from the cross to the tomb, they make their declaration of faith and are baptised three times in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three times in the water as Christ was three days in the grave. Though we don't really die, nor get buried, nor get resurrected in that moment physically, “our imitation was in a figure, and our salvation in reality”. Like many other early church writers, Cyril views baptism as a way in which our sins are washed away...

Slavery in the Bible – Does God Condone Slavery?

...peating a prayer, good works or by any other means than by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. You must surrender your soul to Him and place all of your trust in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you placed your trust in Jesus Christ? If not, you can today. You can right now, just as you are! He saves sinners. If you’re a broken sinner, come to Him and receive the free gift of salvation. Matthew 11:28-30“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is li...