Some of Jesus’ followers were tax collectors and gross sinners. (Luke 15:1) The Pharisees and teachers of the Law were disturbed that Jesus welcomed this fallen class and even ate with them. They believed the “sinners” were living outside of a relationship with God. [...]
The Scriptures show that baptism is deeply meaningful, but we must first understand what kind of baptism the Bible is talking about. Paul explains that true Christian baptism is not simply immersion in water, but a baptism “into Christ’s death.” He writes: “Do you [...]
To obey means to hear God's Word and act accordingly. In the Old Testament, the word “obey” is the Hebrew word “shama,” Stong’s word H8085. It means “to hear” and is often so translated. There are several different Greek words in the New Testament [...]
The words of the scripture, Matthew 28:19, have been changed from the original. At first, the verse read, “Go ye and make disciples of all the nations in my name, teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19, 20) [...]
The question refers to the seven last statements that Jesus made while on the cross. Some statements were prophesied in the Old Testament. 1. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do,” Luke 23:34. Jesus is teaching that those who have [...]
John 5:28, 29 (ESV), “all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” The concept of judgment includes a [...]
The heavenly being, Michael, is only identified as the archangel in Jude 1:9, “Michael the archangel.” The word “angel” means a messenger or ambassador. Archangel would include the thought of chief messenger or representative of God. “Michael” is Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Hebrew #4317 and [...]
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live [...]
First we need to understand that our whole being is a living soul. At the creation of man, the soul is defined. Genesis 2:7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of [...]
We only know the names of three angels, Michael the archangel, Gabriel and Lucifer the devil. Michael the archangel is in Daniel 10 and 12 and Jude 1:9. Michael means "one who as God" and refers to Jesus. (The Revelation 12:7 reference refers symbolically to [...]
The Bible does not give us a specific date. However, it does trace its beginnings. Ezekiel 16:3 (NASB), “Thus says the Lord GOD to Jerusalem, ‘Your origin and your birth are from the land of the Canaanite, your father was an Amorite and your [...]
For every right principle, there is a corresponding wrong principle: truth and falsity, love and hatred, justice and injustice. We distinguish these principles as right and wrong. Discerning between these requires moral sense or conscience. Remember: man was created in God’s image and His [...]
Revelation 20:4-6 (New English Version) reads: “ 4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for [...]
The doctrine of the rapture is a Protestant addition to Futurist interpretations of the book of Revelation. It was not invented to scare people but evolved from the Roman Catholic Church’s attempts to suppress the Protestant Reformers in the 16th century. Martin Luther, through [...]
Summary: Yes, Jesus was fluent in different foreign languages. However, he never spoke ecstatically.Discussion: In the Greek, the word for tongues is glossa, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance word #1100. It is referring to a language. When the early church received the holy spirit, God wanted [...]
The context of the first six verses aids our understanding. 1 Peter 4:1-6 (NASB), “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in [...]
When we are full of joy and gratitude to God, we talk with Him in praises, psalms and songs. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,” Ephesians. 5:19. We also communicate [...]
First, we ask ourselves these questions: Was I ever drawn to Christ, and then recognized Him as my redeemer? Did I ever fully consecrate myself – my life, my time, my talents, my influence, my all – to God? If we can answer yes, then we [...]
Sadly, homosexuality and bisexuality have become acceptable and lawful in many countries. However, the Bible clearly states that sexual union is only blessed between a man and a woman within the marriage relationship. Matthew 19:5, "…For this cause shall a man leave father and [...]
Genesis 1:2-4, “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God [...]
