Samuel Crees and his Thoughts

 The Word Faith in Hebrews 11:1 is not merely having correct facts about God; it is a living trust that rests on God’s character, God’s promises, and God’s revealed Word, even when the invisible parts are not yet seen. The difference between academic knowledge and biblical faith is that academic knowledge can stop at information, while true faith moves toward reliance, obedience, and perseverance. Hebrews 11:1 in context Hebrews 11:1 says faith is the “assurance” of things hoped for and the “evidence/conviction” of things not seen. That means faith is not pretending there is no evidence; it means being so persuaded by God’s witness that you treat His promise as a solid reality. The chapter then lists people whose faith was shown by action, not by ideas alone. Knowledge and faith You can know historical facts about Jesus, His life, death, and resurrection, and still only have information in the mind. Biblical faith goes further: it receives Christ as the risen Lord, trusts Him...

 In the Bible, Baptism is a public picture of what happens when a person belongs to Christ: they are joined to His death, burial, and resurrection, and they show that they now belong to Him and want to walk in new life. What baptism teaches The clearest passage is Romans 6:3-4, which says believers are “baptized into his death” and “buried with him through baptism,” so that, just as Christ was raised, they may walk in newness of life. Baptism is not merely a bath; Peter says it is “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,” but a matter of conscience before God and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In simple words: baptism is like a sermon you act out with your body—“I belong to Jesus, I died to my old life, and I want to live His way.” Sprinkling and the mercy seat In the Old Testament, the high priest sprinkled blood on the mercy seat on the Day of Atonement, as in Leviticus 16:14-16. That sprinkling showed atonement and cleansing, and it was a blood ritual tied to the holi...

  Understanding Communion Practices: Open, Closed, and Close The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, or Eucharist has many debates but remember one thing before getting offended, the taking of the Lord’s Supper does not save anyone, as a few believe. So first we will tell you the three denominational accepted ways to participate. Second special note is the fact that there are only Two Ordinances in scripture; Lord’s Supper and Baptism.   The practice of the Lord’s Supper, or Communion, serves as a central liturgical act in Christian worship, yet the criteria for participation vary significantly across denominations. These distinctions—open, closed, and close communion—reflect differing theological interpretations of church authority, the nature of the ordinance, and the requirements for fellowship. Open Communion Open communion is defined by an inclusive approach where any individual who professes faith in Jesus Christ is invited to participate, regardless of their denominationa...

   The Cognitive Neuroscience of Handwriting Versus Typing The process of human learning is a multisensory endeavor that relies heavily on the integration of motor control, visual feedback, and cognitive processing. When a child engages in handwriting, they are not merely producing text; they are executing a complex sequence of fine motor movements that require the coordination of the hand, eye, and brain. Research in cognitive psychology suggests that the physical act of handwriting—specifically the formation of letters—activates the brain's "reading circuit" in a way that typing does not. By physically tracing the shapes of letters, the brain creates a stronger neural representation of the characters, which facilitates better letter recognition and subsequent reading fluency. Neural Mechanisms and Learning Retention The disparity between handwriting and typing lies in the depth of cognitive engagement. Typing is largely a selection process, where th...

   The Status and Integration of Sojourners in Ancient Israel “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:” KJV, Romans 9:6. There is so much debate worldwide over this one verse. The complex and the simple, and I expect a lot of back-lash. The biblical narrative, particularly within the Pentateuch, provides a nuanced view of the "sojourner" or ger (Hebrew: גֵּר ), who lived among the children of Israel. These individuals were not merely temporary visitors but often permanent residents who integrated into the social and religious fabric of the community. According to the foundational texts of the Hebrew Bible, the status of the sojourner was defined by a unique intersection of legal obligation and social protection. While they were distinct from the native-born Israelite, the Torah mandates that they be treated justly and, in many instances, requires them to adhere to the core tenets of the Mosai...

   Understanding Matthew 18:18 and Related Biblical Teachings People usually get all tied up about the terms in this particular scripture, especially to bind, or to loose: The verse Matthew 18:18 in the King James Version of the Bible states: "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." To understand this in simple terms, imagine a group of people who are trying to follow God's rules together. Jesus is telling his followers that they have been given a very important responsibility. When they make decisions about what is right or wrong, or how to handle problems within their community—based on God's teachings—those decisions are so important that they are recognized by God in heaven. It is like having a key that locks or unlocks a door; when the followers act in agreement with God’s will, their actions are confirmed by God himself. A Similar Sc...

  A Simpler Way to View the Word Image in Scripture In Genesis 1:26, the term "image" does not primarily refer to what someone looks like on the outside. It means humans were made to reflect God in the way they think, choose, love, rule, and relate to others, a bit like a child can resemble a parent in family traits, not just in looks. A fifth grader could understand it this way: God made people to be like Him in some important ways, so we can show His character in the world. That includes being able to reason, care, make moral choices, and have responsibility over creation. What “image” is not “Image” does not mean humans are gods, and it does not mean God has a human body that looks exactly like ours. It also does not mean every human is perfect, because the Bible later shows that people can still bear God’s image even though sin has damaged how we live it out. What “image” is The word points to representation: humans are like God’s appointed representatives on earth...

  The Concept of the Called-Out Assembly I prefer the term assembly, or congregation, when talking about the church. The term "called-out assembly" is a literal translation of the Greek noun ekklesia, a word foundational to both classical Greek political life and the subsequent development of Christian theology. In the context of ancient Greek city-states (poleis), an ekklesia referred to a formal assembly of citizens who were "called out" from their private lives to gather in a public space to deliberate on the affairs of the state. This assembly was not merely a gathering of people; it was a legally constituted body with the authority to make decisions, vote on laws, and determine the direction of the community. The essence of the ekklesia was the act of being summoned or "called out" from the common populace to perform a specific, collective function. In the theological context, the term was adopted by the writers of the New Testament to describe the...

  The Nature, Purpose, and Value of Prayer The true value of prayer is found not in the acquisition of material goods or the manipulation of divine will, but in the cultivation of a transformative relationship with the Creator. Prayer serves as the primary conduit for human communication with the Divine, acting as an act of humble submission, adoration, and alignment of the human will with the purposes of God. By engaging in prayer, the individual acknowledges their dependence upon a higher power, moving beyond mere petition to a state of communion that fosters spiritual growth, inner peace, and moral clarity. Biblical tradition consistently emphasizes that prayer belongs to God, as He is both the recipient and the ultimate source of the strength and light sought through such communion. In the Christian framework, prayer is directed toward the Father, in the name of the Son, and through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures teach that prayer is not a mechanism for bargain...

  The question of whether Christians are required to tithe is a subject of significant theological discussion. To understand this, we must examine the biblical context, the transition from the Old to the New Covenant, and the principles of stewardship. The practice of tithing in the Old Testament was a requirement for the nation of Israel, functioning as a system to support the Levites and the temple service, as well as to provide for the poor. Under the Mosaic Law, the tithe was primarily agricultural, consisting of the "firstfruits" of the land, flocks, and herds. While some argue that tithing is a timeless principle, many theologians note that the New Testament does not explicitly command Christians to give a fixed 10% of their income. Instead, the New Testament emphasizes the principle of generous, planned, and proportionate giving as a response to God's grace. Paul instructs the church in 1 Corinthians 16:2, "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you...

  The Abomination of Desolation and the Desolation of Jerusalem I would like to thank Steven Raines for going though this particular article and spotting my failures, and helping me to complete it; he is such a good Christian preacher and my prayers are with him and his wife Marsha always! Also, note many may be agree with my points and that is fine, but you should be diligent enough to know why you see it as you do. Good Morning friends, my question today needs your extreme detail, for in these Scriptures I am about to share I need to know what they mean, how they being different are connected in their details, and when did this take place, [or has it]; Mat_24:15 “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)” Mar_13:14 “But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) t...