In mainstream Christian theology, Jesus Christ was not created. Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and most Protestant traditions teach that He is the eternal Son of God, equal in divine nature with God the Father and without beginning. This belief does not mean that Jesus is the Father. Christian doctrine distinguishes the Father, Son and Holy Spirit […]

The power associated with the name of Jesus does not come from the letters, pronunciation or repeated sound of the name. From a biblical perspective, it comes from the authority, identity and position of Jesus Christ himself. Using the name of Jesus is therefore not a magical formula or religious incantation. It means acting in […]

Many people believe that all religions are different paths leading to the same Creator. The Bible, however, teaches that sincerity alone does not make every belief or form of worship acceptable to God. Scripture establishes standards for distinguishing worship that pleases God from religious practices that fail to meet His requirements. Jesus Spoke of Two […]

Catholic teaching holds that no sin is beyond God’s forgiveness when a person sincerely repents and seeks reconciliation. God’s mercy is always available, but receiving sacramental absolution requires genuine contrition, honesty and a willingness to turn away from sin. In some circumstances, a priest may delay or withhold absolution because the essential conditions for a […]

Grace and mercy are two of the most important themes running throughout Scripture. They are closely connected and both reveal the extraordinary love of God, but they describe different ways in which God responds to sinful and needy humanity. A simple distinction can help explain their meaning: mercy is God withholding the judgment we deserve, […]

Losing a baby through miscarriage can bring overwhelming physical pain, emotional distress and spiritual questions. The grief may be difficult to explain, especially when hopes and plans for the child had already begun to take shape. In moments when words are hard to find, prayer can offer a quiet place to express sorrow, anger, fear […]

In Christian theology, the blood of Jesus Christ represents His sacrificial and substitutionary death on the cross. It is central to the New Testament’s explanation of how sinful humanity can be forgiven, reconciled to God and brought into a new covenant relationship with Him. The spiritual power associated with Christ’s blood does not come from […]

The New Testament records the genealogy of Jesus Christ in two places: Matthew 1:1–17 and Luke 3:23–38. Although both accounts connect Jesus to King David and Abraham, they follow different ancestral lines and serve distinct theological purposes. Matthew begins with Abraham and moves forward through Israel’s history until reaching Jesus. Luke takes the opposite approach, […]

Baptism is widely regarded as the foundational rite of Christian initiation and the visible entry point into the life of the church. Although denominations disagree over who should be baptized, how baptism should be administered and precisely what it accomplishes, most historic Christian traditions connect baptism with belonging to the Christian community. The common pattern […]

The grace of God is one of the most important teachings in Christianity. It describes God’s undeserved favour, unconditional love and divine help freely given to humanity. Grace is not a reward reserved for people who have lived perfect lives. It cannot be purchased through religious activities, earned through good behavior or secured by personal […]