NEW Bulgarian Bible Theological Dictionary

East Coast Bible College and Byrd Dorm

35% Of Americans Believe Bible Study Cures Mental Illness in 2021

35% Of Americans Believe Bible Study Cures Mental Illness

To follow up on the previous statistics, over a third of Americans believe faith can help people overcome mental illness. Having open conversations about mental illness inchurch could encourage those dealing with it to seek help and counseling along with faith-based healing.

Ministering to the Slavs

95 SLAVIC CHURCHES and 8 BIBLE SCHOOLS in the United States

1. House of Bread Church (Sacramento, CA) https://www.facebook.com/hofbchurch
2. Bethany Slavic Missionary Church (Sacramento, CA) https://www.facebook.com/bethany.slavicmissionarychurch
3. Bethany Youth https://www.facebook.com/BethanYouth
4. Missionary Gospel Church (Sacramento, CA) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Missionary-Gospel-Church/151514864873051
5. House of Prayer, Rochester NY https://www.facebook.com/pages/House-of-Prayer-Rochester-NY/249103651804095
6. Living Stream Church (Jacksonville, FL) https://www.facebook.com/livingstreamchurch
7. Sulamita Slavic Evangelical Church (Portland, OR) https://www.facebook.com/sulamitachurch
8. Life Christian Church https://www.facebook.com/pages/Life-Christian-Church/350358664991387
9. SGC Youth (Federal Way, WA) https://www.facebook.com/sgcyouthpage
10. Light To The World, Bellevue WA https://www.facebook.com/christianfaithchurch
11. Awakening Church https://www.facebook.com/1awakening
12. Light of the Gospel Missionary Church, Sacramento, CA https://www.facebook.com/logmc
13. Bethany Church (Seattle WA) https://www.facebook.com/bethanychurch.seattle
14. Paradise Youth https://www.facebook.com/ParadiseYouthWA
15. Grace Slavic Church https://www.facebook.com/GraceSlavicChurch
16. Slavic Christian Church of Salem https://www.facebook.com/pages/Slavic-Christian-Church-of-Salem/573544672704540
17. Slavic Youth of Spartanburg https://www.facebook.com/Slavicyouth
18. Voice of Hope Church (Portland OR) https://www.facebook.com/VOHCC
19. City of Rain Church (Kent, Tacoma WA) https://www.facebook.com/pages/City-of-Rain-Church/109176399100701
20. UFGPC Youth (Tacoma WA) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ufgpc-Youth/160358890697017
21. Slavic Full Gospel Church https://www.facebook.com/SFGoneway
22. JC Healing House Youth https://www.facebook.com/pages/JC-Healing-House-Youth/395744683877949
23. Living Stream Youth (Jacksonville, FL) https://www.facebook.com/LSYJAX
24. House of Prayer (Utica, NY) https://www.facebook.com/houseofprayerutica
25. New Life Church (Atlanta, GA) https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Life-Church/181065961957787
26. Choose Life Church https://www.facebook.com/ChurchChooseLife
27. Upstream Youth Ministry https://www.facebook.com/upstreamyouth
28. Revelation of Jesus Christ Church https://www.facebook.com/cerkov
    First Slavic Pentecostal Church (Florida) https://www.facebook.com/fspcflorida
29. Voice of Hope Youth (Tukwila WA) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Voice-of-Hope-Youth/102800069772958
30. Slavic Pentecostal Church (Ashville, NC) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Slavic-Pentecostal-Church-Asheville-NC/202376667836
31. Messenger of Truth Slavic Pentecostal Church https://www.facebook.com/pages/Messenger-of-truth-Slavic-pentecostal-church-Весник-Истины/160101984021265
32. First Slavic Evangelical Baptist Church https://www.facebook.com/fsebc.org
33. Christian House of Worship (Chicago, IL) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-House-Of-Worship/244999968853222
34. Center of Life Youth (Spokane, WA) https://www.facebook.com/COLyouth
35. River of Life (Dallas, TX) https://www.facebook.com/riveroflifeDFW
36. Salvation Baptist Church (Edgewood, WA) https://www.facebook.com/salvationbaptistchurchWA
37. Good News Church, Tacoma WA https://www.facebook.com/GNCtacoma
38. City Youth (Sacramento, CA) https://www.facebook.com/CityYouthPage
39. Russian Church of Texas https://www.facebook.com/pages/Russian-Church-Of-Texas/177474895634789
40. Word of Grace Bible Church (Vancouver WA) https://www.facebook.com/islovo
41. LTTW Youth https://www.facebook.com/pages/LTTWyouth/123040017759998
42. Church of Truth (Vancouver WA) https://www.facebook.com/churchoftruth
43. Generation 4 Truth Youth (Vancouver WA) https://www.facebook.com/Generation4Truth
44. Reality Church https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reality-Church/150568224999961
45. NW House of Prayer Youth https://www.facebook.com/NWHOP
46. Slavic Gospel Church (Federal Way, WA) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Slavic-Gospel-Church-SGC/144695832250368
47. Ecclesia Church https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ecclesia-Church/139221649433334
48. LCC Youth (Federal Way WA) https://www.facebook.com/lccyouth
49. Marysville Youth https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marysville-Youth/152581284812247
50. The Slavic Church Orange County https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Slavic-Church-Orange-County/204476786293337
51. Bread of Life Christian Church (Springfield, MO) https://www.facebook.com/BreadOfLifeMO
52. Crosslight Youth https://www.facebook.com/CrossLightYouth
53. SGC Youth (Bellingham, WA) https://www.facebook.com/sgcyouth
54. Image Church (Lynnwood WA) https://www.facebook.com/imagechurchwa
55. New Testament Church (Seattle WA) https://www.facebook.com/NewTestamentChurchOfSeattle
56. Seattle Sulamita Youth https://www.facebook.com/SeattleSulamitaYouth
57. Bethel United (Everett WA) https://www.facebook.com/bethelunited
58. Harvest Christian Center, Everett WA https://www.facebook.com/harvestcci
59. The Reign Youth Ministry https://www.facebook.com/thereigntv
60. Pilgrim Slavic Baptist Church https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pilgrim-Slavic-Baptist-Church/191063207603466
61. Revival Christian Center https://www.facebook.com/RevivalChristianCenter
62. Church of the Living God https://www.facebook.com/churchofthelivinggod
63. Christian Faith Church https://www.facebook.com/christianfaithchurch
64. New Life Church, Sioux Falls https://www.facebook.com/NewLifeSF
65. Stream of Life Slavic Church, Salem OR https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stream-of-Life-Slavic-Church-Beaverton-OR/1562572783958882
66. Life of Victory Church (Renton, WA) https://www.facebook.com/lifeofvictory
67. LOV Impact Youth Ministry https://www.facebook.com/lov.impactministry
68. Russian Church of Atlanta https://www.facebook.com/pages/Russian-Church-of-Atlanta/118629801519020
69. Voice of Hope Youth (Portland, ORG) https://www.facebook.com/vohyouth
70. New Beginnings (Portland OR) https://www.facebook.com/ChurchNN
71. Slavic Church Emmanuel IGNITE YOUTH https://www.facebook.com/IGNITEYOUTHMN
72. Revival Youth https://www.facebook.com/pages/Revival-Youth/116468545048864
73. Христианская Церковь https://www.facebook.com/ztchurch.pp.ua
74. Sulamita Youth Boise, ID https://www.facebook.com/Sulamitayouth
75. SFG Youth Minsitries, INC https://www.facebook.com/pages/SFG-Youth-Ministries-Inc/104986232913764
76. Russian Church, NY https://www.facebook.com/RussianChurchNY
77. Russian Speaking Church https://www.facebook.com/ChurchNT
78. Russian Baptist Church of Auburn (WA) https://www.facebook.com/beinchurch
79. FUBC Youth https://www.facebook.com/FUBChurch
80. Spokane Slavic Baptist Church https://www.facebook.com/SpokaneSlavicBaptistChurch
81. Harvest Church (Atlanta, GA) https://www.facebook.com/sccharvestchurch
82. New Life Christian Center https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Life-Christian-Center/421531024606715
83. Youth of Grace Church MN https://www.facebook.com/gracechurchmn
84. Light of the Gospel Youth https://www.facebook.com/logmcyouth
85. New Life Christian Church (Mount Vernon, WA) https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Life-Christian-Church/125171360847142
86. Voice of Victory Christian Center https://www.facebook.com/VoiceofVictoryCC
87. New Life Youth (Mount Vernon, WA) https://www.facebook.com/new.lifeyouth.5
88. BYM Bethesda Youth Ministries https://www.facebook.com/pages/BYM-Bethesda-Youth-Ministries/146983352017824
89. Hungry Generation https://www.facebook.com/hungrygen
90. Spring of Life Youth (Mukilteo, WA) https://www.facebook.com/sol7pm
91. Zachary Worship Center https://www.facebook.com/pages/Zachary-Worship-Center/213673752032634
92. SBS Ministry https://www.facebook.com/pages/SBS-Ministry/107726752660587
93. Bryte Youth https://www.facebook.com/bryteyouth
94. Christian Cultures Center https://www.facebook.com/christiancultures
95. First Slavic Pentecostal Church (North Port, FL) https://www.facebook.com/fspcflorida

BIBLE SCHOOLS:

1. SMBS Jacksonville FL https://www.facebook.com/SMBSJax
2. Центр Христианского Образования https://www.facebook.com/ChristianEduOnline
3. Teens Bible School (Jacksonville, FL) https://www.facebook.com/tbsjax
4. Bethany Bible School, Sacramento, CA https://www.facebook.com/BethanyBibleSchool
5. Slavic Bible College, Tacoma WA https://www.facebook.com/pages/Slavic-Bible-College/232529120120565
6. God Will Provide Missionary Bible School, Portland OR https://www.facebook.com/GodWillProvideMissionarySchool
7.  Slavic Theological Seminary https://www.facebook.com/SlavicSeminary
8.  Light To The World Missionary Bible School, Sedalia MO https://www.facebook.com/pages/Light-to-the-Word-Missionary-School/181729235191926

The Story of the Bulgarian Bible (video)

JESUS IS IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE

In Genesis, Jesus Christ is the seed of the woman.
In Exodus, He is the passover lamb.
In Leviticus, He is our high priest.
In Numbers, He is the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.
In Deuteronomy, He is the prophet like unto Moses.
In Joshua, He is the captain of our salvation.
In Judges, He is our judge and lawgiver.
In Ruth, He is our kinsman redeemer.
In 1st and 2nd Samuel, He is our trusted prophet.
In Kings and Chronicles, He is our reigning king.
In Ezra, He is the rebuilder of the broken down walls of human life.
In Esther, He is our Mordecai.
In Job, He is our ever-living redeemer.
In Psalms, He is our shepherd.
In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, He is our wisdom.
In the Song of Solomon, He is the loving bridegroom.
In Isaiah, He is the prince of peace.
In Jeremiah, He is the righteous branch.
In Lamentations, He is our weeping prophet.
In Ezekiel, He is the wonderful four-faced man.
In Daniel, He is the forth man in life’s “fiery furnace.”
In Hosea, He is the faithful husband, forever married to the backslider.
In Joel, He is the baptizer with the Holy Ghost and fire.
In Amos, He is our burden-bearer.
In Obadiah, He is the mighty to save.
In Jonah, He is our great foreign missionary.
In Micah, He is the messenger of beautiful feet.
In Nahum, He is the avenger of God’s elect.
In Habakkuk, he is God’s evangelist, crying, “revive thy work in the midst of the years.”
In Zephaniah, He is our Saviour.
In Haggai, He is the restorer of God’s lost heritage.
In Zechariah, He is the fountain opened up in the house of David for sin and uncleanness.
In Malachi, He is the Sun of Righteousness, rising with healing in His wings.

In Matthew, He is King of the Jews.
In Mark, He is the Servant.
In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.
In John, He is the Son of God.
In Acts, He is the Savior of the world.
In Romans, He is the righteousness of God.
In 1st Corinthians, He is the Rock that followed Israel.
In 2nd Corinthians, He is the Triumphant One, giving victory.
In Galatians, He is your liberty; He sets you free.
In Ephesians, He is Head of the Church.
In Philippians, He is your joy.
In Colossians, He is your completeness.
In 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, He is your hope.
In 1st Timothy, He is your faith.
In 2nd Timothy, He is your stability.
In Philemon, He is your Benefactor.
In Titus, He is truth.
In Hebrews, He is your perfection.
In James, he is the Power behind your faith.
In 1st Peter, He is your example.
In 2nd Peter, He is your purity.
In 1st John, He is your life.
In 2nd John, He is your pattern.
In 3rd John, He is your motivation.
In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.
In Revelation, He is your coming King.

Maxwell Leadership Bible

The Maxwell Leadership Bible has drawn lots of attention especially with the publication of John Maxwell’s new bestseller “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn,” which deconstructs the winning model of church leadership on a totally different level. We’ve used his study Bible through the years especially in cases of young ministers’ training and mentorship.

Instead of a page by page annotation, the Maxwell Bible setup contains inline articles and discussions on various leadership issues within the text. Over 100 biographical profiles of Biblical leaders and short articles are combined with the philosophy behind two other bestsellers on leadership by the author: “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” and “The 21 Indispensible Qualities of a Leader”

One of our initial comparison passages (Numbers ch.6 and Jeremiah ch.18) is commented, although Numb. 6 does have an article on the Nazarite vow within the Law of Sacrifice (qt. “Give up to go up”). Jeremiah 18, however, contains a great note on “teachability.” The annotation of v. 18 is simple, but strong: “To keep leading, keep learning!”

The Maxwell Bible is not doctrinally organized per se. Therefore, there’s not much on eschatology and particularly Rapture and Tribulation. Nevertheless, the lessons from the 7 Churches of Revelation are abundantly annotated and worthy to be read privately or taught in a classroom setting, but most of all taken literary and applied to today’s ecclesial reality.

This work is also not Pentecostal in particular, as it addresses church leadership in a general Biblical sense. There’s no particular reference to the Trinity, however Acts 2 comments on the magnetic power received by the apostles at Pentecost and in 1 Corinthians 14, the Spirit is called “Broker of gifts.” Instead of a concordance at the end of the Bible, there are several indexes containing leadership laws, qualities, issues and a complete list of profiles of Bible heroes who encompass the law of leadership.

Spirit Filled Life Bible Review

Several months ago, our team undertook the task of comparing and reviewing a growing number of Study Bibles appearing on the book market recently in what we called a 21st century Revival of Study Bibles. This article is part of our Study Bibles review series as outlined here: https://cupandcross.com/bible-revival/

Spirit Filled Life Bible Review
Dony K. Donev, D.Min.

The Spirit Filled Life Bible is another great example of a Pentecostal study Bible from the 90s, which sets the stage for this century’s study bibles revival. It was edited by Jack Hayford who later served as president and chancellor of King’s University (formerly The King’s College and Seminary). The text provides Bible commentary from a conservative Pentecostal perspective and study notes are a bit more detailed than the Fire Bible.

For example, the first Old Testament control passage we use in our study from Number 6 is well documented and discussed almost verse by verse. Under the title of “Priestly Blessing,” the Spirit Filled Life Bible makes the case for: (1) wave offering as part of worship (v.20), (2) personal blessing through the singular “you” in the original Hebrew (v.22), (3) a definition of blessing (v. 24) and much more on the final phrases in the blessing: “make His face shine upon you” and “lift up His countenance upon you.”

Jeremiah 18 also has several historical commentaries in the Spirit Filled Life Bible as part of Jeremiah’s laments described in a note in ch. 11. The point here is being made that the responsibility for the law in the Old Testament was given to the priest.

The doctrine of the Rapture is commented in Revelation ch.4 in both the footnotes and a special block note within the text. The first one gives three views of the Last Days (dispensational, futurist and historic/preterist), while the second correlates with the elements of John’s vision. The Dispensational interpretation is offered in continuity with the interpretation of the 7 Churches of Asia-Minor. Two other block notes with markings “Word Wealth” and “Kingdom Dynamics” are placed in 1 Thess. 5 explaining the origin of the word “Rapture.” The significant for Pentecostals phrase “in the Spirit” is explained as “a state of heightened spiritual sensitivity.”

The Tribulation is also clearly explained as post-Rapture event with a classic interpretation of the prophecy given in the text of Daniel 8. The 24 elders are viewed as “evidence of the church’s exemption from the Great Tribulation” as they “are already glorified, enthroned and crowned,” which without a doubt proceeds from pre-Millennial doctrinal interpretation.

The doctrine of the Trinity is preserved as per the Biblical Truths of the Foursquare Church, namely: “Trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.” Thou the word “Trinity” itself is absent from the detailed word Concordance at the end of the Spirit Filled Life Bible, perhaps because it is not present in the actual Biblical text, it is persistently present in the commentaries. This is true even in the largely disputed (from a manuscript point of view) 1 John 5:5-6 which is explained as Trinitarian in the comments.

Similarly to the Fire Bible, the Holy Ghost baptism is explained in the forward to Acts along with a page full with notes on speaking in tongues in Acts ch. 2. Additionally, there is a chart with a six-fold involvement of the Holy Spirit in human history: in the beginning, the Old Testament and Old Testament prophecy, in salvation, the New Testament and in the written word. The Spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 are discussed one by one. There’s also a very nice write-up at the end by Paul Walker of the Church of God who further explains “Holy Spirit Gifts and Power.”

The commentary notes at the end contain a self-guide by Pat Robertson, named “Spiritual Answers to Hard Questions.” Power over demons is explained along with the process of exorcisms, without explicit statements about the influence of demons over born-again Christians. The following subject on the Kingdom of God is also dealt with without any explicit reference to Kingdom Now Theology, although explicitly lengthier and detailed in comparison to the rest of the subjects. The final note deserves special attention and should be hereby quoted in place of an epilogue: “Lack of forgiveness blocs access to the kingdom (of God) and its marvelous power. (See also Mt. 6:5-15; Mark 11:22-26).”

The Fire Bible Review

Several months ago, our team undertook the task of comparing and reviewing a growing number of Study Bibles appearing on the book market recently in what we called a 21st century Revival of Study Bibles. This article is part of our Study Bibles review series as outlined here: https://cupandcross.com/bible-revival/

Fire Bible Review
Dony K. Donev, D.Min.

I’ve been personally following and using the Fire Bible since it was called the Full Life Study Bible. And not mainly because it is Pentecostal (much like Dake’s and Spirit Filled Life Bibles), but more so because a good portion of the commentaries were written by one of my favorite professors in seminary, Dr. French Arrington. Therefore, I was very truly blessed when our ministry was able to participate in the translation and promoting this great work in Bulgaria.

Beginning with our usual control passages from the Old Testament, Number 6 contains a great detail of explanation on the vow and practice of the Nazarite law. Furthermore, there is a special note on “Wine in the Old Testament” in the Fire Bible, and the Aaronic benediction at the end of the chapter is specifically marked, outlined and discussed as two articles are cited in connection with “Faith and Grace” and “The Peace of God.”

Our second control passage in Jeremiah 18 is also not left without discussion. Actually, the commentary in v.8 makes two powerful points on God taking account spiritual changes in our lives and not forcing our decision despite knowing the final outcome; thus presenting a typical Pentecostal approach on free will, God’s sovereignty and foreknowledge, which is further discussed in the article on “Election and Predestination.”

The doctrine of the Rapture is not only mentioned in Revelation 4, but preceded with a special article from 1 Thessalonians and a detailed chart of Last Day Events in the forward of Revelation in both the early and the Fire editions. The Tribulation is also clearly explained as a post-Rapture event, divided in two parts and well documented with Scripture references. Additionally, in a very balanced Pentecostal manner, the dispensations, although noted by some, are not explicitly defended in the pre-Millennial system. The significance of the phrase “in the Spirit” is dully noted, which brings us to Pneumatology.

In regards to Pentecostal theology, the doctrine of Trinity is presented in an indictable orthodox way after the Athanasius Confession. Perhaps, the only criticism could be that there’s no mention of the fact that some early Pentecostal groups indeed taught Jesus-only doctrine. The Holy Ghost baptism is both theoretically and practically explained in the forward to Acts, while there’s an additional article on Speaking in Tongues after Acts ch.2. This is further mentioned in a comment after Mark ch. 16 followed by an article on Spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians 12.

There’s also a detail discussion the doctrine of Sanctification in 1 Peter after the foreknowledge of God is additionally explained. Sanctification is viewed as immediate, not “giving up sin little by little,” yet “do not suggest an absolute perfection.” The work of God and man is defined, and most importantly God is viewed as one who desires to sanctify His people. There’s no specific comparison to a second work of grace, yet the general approach toward the doctrine and practice of sanctification presents a typical, historically accurate, Pentecostal point of view toward the teaching.

Mission of God Study Bible Review

Several months ago, our team undertook the task of comparing and reviewing a growing number of Study Bibles appearing on the book market recently in what we called a 21st century Revival of Study Bibles. This article is part of our Study Bibles review series as outlined here: https://cupandcross.com/bible-revival/

The Mission of God Study Bible is edited by Ed Stetzer and Philip Nation containing essays and commentaries by over 50 contributors among whom Billy Graham and Jack Hayford. Significant place is given to quotes from Francis Dubose’s 1983 book, God Who Sends. The primary purpose is to introduce a Missional Manifesto to the church of the 21st century. Beside book introductions, essays and cross-reference annotations, it promotes ideas from the Bible as QR Codes, Text Messages and Notes from God using the Holman Christian Standard Bible text as a foundation.

The initial commentary introduces God’s mission in creating the world and the divine plan to reconnect with His creation into a promise of an eternal land. The passages of our usual consideration (Numbers ch.6 and Jeremiah ch.18) are not particularly commented; however, the introduction to Numbers begins with a beautiful analogy of how serious God takes His mission leading the Israelites for 40 years in the wilderness. The notes on Jeremiah also contain Glenn Barth’s Dwelling and Working for God in the City.

Although not written by primarily Pentecostal authors, the commentary on Acts includes a very charismatic key to revival through making disciples using: (1) empowerment, (2) education and (3) evolving. This process is described as inclusive and hospitable to all in two articles on the Gentile conversion in Acts 10. The mission of the Christian ministry is enriched by the Gifts of the Spirit annotated personally by Ed Stetzer in 1 Corinthians 14 through the source, search and sovereignty of spirituality. But it is also inseparable from the marketplace as described in connection with the Corinthian church Acts ch.18.

The Pneumatological and ministry related commentaries connect well with the urgency of musicological eschatology starting with the phrase “In the Spirit” (Revelation 4:2). The notes conclude with another article with an urban theme on the Heavenly City. The eschatological mission in Revelation is explained as “Refocusing and Renewing the Church.” An article about missionary to China, Hudson Taylor is placed next to the story of the two witnesses, expressing the eschatological urgency to reach the whole world with the Gospel. This coincides with two commentaries on the Great Commission in Matthew 28, “The Mission of God and the Mission in the Church” and “Go Therefore.”

Overall a great missional tool with over 150 commentary notes and articles begins with the Missional Manifesto and concluding with the “Letters to the Church” from elder statesmen like Billy Graham, Jack Hayford, R. T. Kendall, Erwin Lutzer, Calvin Miller, and R.C. Sproul.

Next Page »