What was Jacob's name changed to?
Jacob's name was changed to Israel, meaning "let God prevail." See Genesis 32:22-32.
What was the name of that man who helped Jesus lift the cross?
Mark 15:21 gives us the answer: (NIV) "A certain main from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross." Can we imagine what a privilege it [...]
To what extent is the marriage of Hosea to Gomer an illustration of the relationship between God and Israel?
We know that before the Gospel was opened and preached to the Gentiles (Cornelius being the first Gentile convert - Acts 10), Israel was the chosen nation by God, and he worked and dealt only with them.Amos 3:2 “You only have I chosen of [...]
If man was created 6,000 years ago, why should we believe the earth is billions of years old? Is this what evolution teaches? If the dinosaurs died out before man Adam and Eve sinned, why would God call these early creative days “very good”? How does this harmonize with the Bible teaching that by one man death was brought on the earth and by one man death was conquered?
Genesis opens with the universe and our earth already created. Genesis chapter 1 is told from the point of view of God looking at the earth and beginning its specific creative works including mankind. Genesis 2 continues from the point of view of Adam, [...]
From the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-11), why is it that they are paid the same amount of money?
God, the householder of the parable, graciously and generously offered the laborers the opportunity to work in His vineyard - a privilege offered out of the goodness of His heart (Matthew 9:37,38; 1 Corinthians 6:1,2). For this work, He granted a very generous wage, [...]
What is the meaning of Isaiah 9:6? “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
In Isaiah 7:14, Israel was told, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign; behold the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel ("God is with us"). In Isaiah 9:2, Jesus is described [...]
Where do Neanderthals fit into the biblical narrative?
The Bible does not contradict with science that the earth is millions of years old. But how long have people been on the earth from the time of the first man Adam? We believe based on Bible chronology that it is around 6,000 years. Neanderthals [...]
What does Genesis 10:25 mean when it says, “Eber had two sons, one was named Peleg, because in his time the earth was divided…”. (United States)
How and when was the earth divided? This occurred during Peleg’s life. Peleg was Shem’s son, and his name means "to divide or to split”. (See Strong’s Concordance Hebrew word H6389.) The division of the earth here refers to the division and dispersion of humanity [...]
Why did Satan want the crucifixion to take place if he knew it would lead to the salvation of mankind?
This is a very important question. God never revealed the outcome of His secret plan to Satan nor to any other unbelieving, disobedient beings. Satan did not know the crucifixion would lead to mankind’s salvation. (See Revelation 5:1-7.)God only shares His plans with His [...]
Why did Satan want the crucifixion to take place if he knew it lead to the salvation of mankind?
The Bible does not give us the answer, but the question assumes Satan knew or believed it would lead to mankind’s salvation. Had he known that fact he would likely have acted differently. While his ultimate destruction is clearly shown in Revelation 20, the [...]
What is faith? What is great faith? Is there little faith?
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1.Faith is built and grows in our minds and hearts as we obey the Scriptures. When we read the Bible, we read wonderful promises. Some promises have already been [...]
What does it mean in Genesis 10:25 when it says for in his days the earth was divided? (United States)
Shem's son was Peleg. The name Peleg means "to divide or to split”. See Strong’s Concordance Hebrew word H6389. The division of the earth here refers to the division and dispersion of humanity that happened after the Tower of Babel was under construction. Genesis [...]
I hear about the drying of the river Euphrates. What prophecy surrounds the drying of the river Euphrates?
The prophecies of Isaiah 11:15, Jeremiah 14, 46:10; 51:3, and Daniel 5 had limited fulfillment in the downfall of the ancient, literal city of Babylon built upon the river Euphrates which had great impact on its resources. The overthrow of historic Babylon by Cyrus [...]
Who is the mother of Mary?
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was an ordinary but remarkable Jewish woman. God specifically chose her to give birth to Jesus, the Messiah of the tribe of Judah and of the lineage of David. Luke 1:26-28,31,35: (NIV) “In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the [...]
What do these mean according to Scripture: the broad way, the narrow way, the highway of holiness
The broad way, the narrow way, the highway of holinessWhen Adam and Eve sinned, they (and all their children) began to walk down the "broad way" to death. Matthew 7:13: (CSB) “…the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are [...]
Why didn't God destroy everyone when He flooded the earth, thereby ensuring a complete cleansing of sin. Why throw Satan and his angels out of heaven and leave them to perpetuate sin?
When God cursed Satan in Genesis 3:14, “the Lord God said unto the serpent, because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days [...]
Why didn't God give the Ten Commandments to Adam and Eve instead of waiting for Moses?
God is orderly and wise. He knows the best time to act for the greatest good of His creation. The scriptures describe different times and seasons in His plan, and they are reasonable when we see what transpired during them. In the beginning of [...]
Was Peter was the first Pope?
The tradition that the Roman Catholic Church is the true church established by Jesus Christ is based on the following scripture, which we will need to examine in order to come to the correct conclusion.Matthew 16:15-19 (GNB)"What about you?" he asked them. "Who do you [...]
With all the corruption going on in our U.S. federal government, are there scriptural admonitions in the Proverbs or Ssalms or elsewhere in the Bible that point to proper governing? (United States)
“8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery. 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, [...]
Kindly explain Mark 14:25 (ESV), "Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." What does wine represent in this case? (Zambia)
When Jesus initiated the Memorial Supper of His death, it was to commemorate His sacrifice to redeem mankind. The cup was filled with wine and the wine represented the sacrifice of His life blood. However, after the Memorial was established, Jesus said He would [...]