The Book of Hebrews is one of the most theologically rich books of the New Testament. Written to Jewish Christians facing persecution, its purpose is to demonstrate the supremacy and sufficiency of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Covenant. The author, likely Paul or one of his associates, masterfully argues that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God, superior to angels, Moses, the Levitical priesthood, and the Old Covenant system. Let’s explore the key themes and messages of this profound book. The Supremacy of Jesus Christ A primary theme woven throughout Hebrews is the supremacy and sufficiency of…
Author: Emma Price
Genesis 18 records one of the most mysterious and intriguing events in the Bible – three men visiting Abraham and Sarah. This story raises many questions – who were these three men? Why did they visit? What is the significance of this event? By analyzing the biblical text carefully, we can uncover some answers. The Three Men Appear to Abraham Genesis 18 opens with Abraham sitting at the entrance of his tent near the great trees of Mamre. It was the hottest part of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby (Genesis 18:1-2). Realizing these men…
The phrase “lamp of the wicked” appears a few times in the Bible, specifically in the books of Proverbs, Job, and Samuel. Based on the contexts where this phrase is used, it seems to refer metaphorically to the temporary success, prosperity, or security of evil people. In Proverbs 13:9, we read “The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.” Here, the lamp seems to symbolize the brief shining of the wicked, which will inevitably be snuffed out. The righteous, however, will enjoy an enduring light. Similarly, in Proverbs 21:4, we find “Haughty…
The statement from Jesus in Luke 10:18 refers to Satan’s original fall from heaven before the creation of humanity. This fall is described in other parts of Scripture, though not in as much detail as Jesus’ statement here. By looking at the context of Luke 10 and other biblical passages, we can gain insight into the meaning behind Jesus’ words “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” The Context of Luke 10 In Luke 10, Jesus has sent out 72 disciples to preach, teach, and heal in his name. They return marveling that even the demons submit to them…
The new moon held great significance in the Bible, particularly for the nation of Israel. Here is an overview of the biblical importance of the new moon: The New Moon as a Sacred Occasion In the Old Testament, the first day of each month, marked by the new moon, was considered a sacred occasion. It was a day of rest and worship for the Israelites. Several passages highlight the special nature of the new moon: “Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.” (Psalm 81:3 ESV) “Say to all the congregation of Israel:…
The doctrine of the Trinity teaches that there is one God who exists eternally in three distinct persons – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. This is a central doctrine of the Christian faith, though admittedly it is difficult to fully comprehend. When it comes to what we will experience in heaven regarding the Trinity, the Bible gives us some clues but does not provide all the details we may wish for. Here are some key biblical principles to consider regarding seeing and experiencing the Trinity in heaven: We will see and know…
The book of Proverbs in the Bible contains many wise sayings and instructions for living a godly life. One passage that has intrigued many readers is Proverbs 9:1, which mentions “seven pillars” of wisdom: Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. (Proverbs 9:1 ESV) What are these seven pillars? And what do they represent? Let’s take a closer look at this verse and its meaning. The Immediate Context of Proverbs 9:1 Proverbs 9 opens with a poetic description of Lady Wisdom building her house and preparing a feast. She sends her servants out to invite people…
The Gospel of John is one of four gospels in the New Testament that tell the story of Jesus Christ. John’s gospel provides a unique perspective on Jesus’s life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Here is a summary of the key events and themes in the Gospel of John. Authorship The Gospel of John does not identify its author by name. However, early church tradition uniformly affirms that the author was the apostle John. Internal evidence also points to John as the author. The writer was clearly an eyewitness of the events he recorded (John 1:14; 19:35; 21:24). He demonstrates close…
Worship is a central theme throughout the Bible. God created humanity to worship and glorify Him. The Bible is filled with verses that reveal how God desires to be worshipped and instructs His people on how to properly approach Him in worship. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages about worship: Old Testament Verses on Worship In the Old Testament, worship was centralized in the tabernacle and later the temple. Sacrifices and offerings were made as acts of worship towards God. Here are some notable Old Testament verses about worship: “Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing…
Salome was a woman who appears briefly in the Gospels of the New Testament. Though little is said about her, she plays a role in two major events during the ministry of Jesus Christ: the beheading of John the Baptist and the crucifixion of Jesus. Salome in Mark’s Gospel The earliest mention of Salome is in Mark 6:21-29, which recounts how John the Baptist was beheaded. According to Mark, Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee and Perea, had arrested John the Baptist for preaching against Herod’s marriage to his brother’s wife, Herodias. During Herod’s birthday party, Herodias’s daughter (who is…