Pastoral Care (Cure of Souls)
Pastoral Care (Cure of Souls)
The term pastoral care comes from latin cura animarum and from the activity itself. This ministry reflects Jesus' pastoral attributes in practical service to the world (neighbors). It is based on texts such as Matthew 22:37-40 or Matthew 25:35-40. Its primary goal is ministry towards Christians to...
Announcement of Judgement over Egypt (Exodus 7:1-7)
God has commanded Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. However, Pharaoh does not comply with such a demand. Pharaoh's uncooperative mind is partly the work of God which is mentioned many times throughout the whole discourse (Ex 7:3-4). The plagues are not meant to be disasters in...
Rule of Faith (Regula Fidei)
The rule of faith is kind of a summary statement. It incorporates a set of doctrines based on Scripture. It was especially used as a unity statement in order to define Christianity (i.e. against gnostics), as a exegetical base, or as a baptismal formula. It can be found in various forms among the...
Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is a declaration of faith stated by the church fathers on the Council of Nicaea (325 AD). This is the first creed solving crucial doctrinal issues and church disunity. The content of the creed is following: Πιστεύομεν εἰς ἕνα Θεὸν Πατέρα παντοκράτορα, πάντων...
Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)
Matthew 25:1-13 is the Parable of the Ten Virgins, which is part of Jesus' teachings in the Olivet Discourse. In this parable, ten virgins are waiting for the bridegroom (symbolizing Jesus) to arrive for a wedding banquet. Five of them are wise and bring extra oil for their lamps, while the other...
Exaltation of Christ (Philippians 2:6-11)
This passage is considered to be a fragment of an early Christian hymn. Such hymns existed in order to honor and praise God. There is, of course, a pastoral frame around the hymn. The function of the hymn here is to persuade and motivate Philippian Christians to imitate Christ in his humbleness...