Please explain 2 Peter 3:16: "As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction."
The Apostle Peter starts 2 Peter 3 by using the term “beloved” (verse 1) to address his audience. In doing so, Peter indicates that he intends his words for those who, like himself, have dedicated, or consecrated, their lives to God. Continuing through verse 1 and into verse 2, Peter announces that the theme of [...]
Why is there so much confusion existing in the world today as to the true teachings of the Scriptures?
The study of the Scriptures, as with all other lines of investigation, must be conducted systematically, else confusion results. The Apostle Paul counsels us along this line saying, "Study to show thyself approved unto God (not unto men), rightly dividing the word of truth." Many have erred in failing to follow this rule. For instance, [...]
Why is the Bible so hard to understand? Why can't everyone capable of reading the printed page comprehend the word of God?
The Bible was not written for the unbelieving, nor was it written so that the world presently could understand its teachings. In order to understand the Bible, we must come humbly before God and ask Him to open our hearts and understanding. Even Jesus's disciples questioned Jesus as to why he spoke in parables. Matthew 13:10-16: "The disciples [...]
Is it possible for Christians to handle deadly serpents and to drink poisons without suffering injury in any form as stated in Mark 16:18?
Mark's Gospel originally ended with Mark 16:9; the additional verses (10-20 inclusive) which includes the above quotation, are not found in the oldest manuscripts of the Bible. Scholars are agreed that the addition was made about 600 years after Mark's Gospel was written, and hence the quoted words are not part of the Gospel. Human experience [...]
How do we harmonize the apparently contradictory expressions found in: "…ye made the commandments of God of none effect through your TRADITIONS" (Mathew 15;6, Mark 7:13), "…being more exceedingly zealous of the TRADITIONS of my fathers" (Galatians 1:14), and "…stand fast and hold the TRADITIONS which ye have been taught" (2 Thessalonians 2:15)?
The Savior's words addressed to the Scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders of his day, have reference to the theories and opinions that had been formed and handed down from the past and not based upon the inspired testimony of the Prophets and the faithful servants of the Lord. Many of these teachings were in [...]
Aren't there a number of contradictions in the Bible? And if the Bible is not in harmony with itself, how can we say it is inspired?
There are seemingly many contradictory statements contained in the Bible, and these are due to several causes. One source of error lies in translations from the original Hebrew and Greek into the various modern languages. It is claimed that the Authorized and Douay Versions of the Bible may need up to twenty thousand corrections! The Revised Versions, both English [...]