The Bible has a lot to say about being “stiff-necked.” This term is used to describe someone who is stubborn, unyielding, prideful, and unwilling to submit to God’s authority. A stiff-necked person resists God’s will and refuses to follow His ways. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly confronts His stiff-necked people and calls them to repentance and renewal. Let’s explore what the Bible teaches about being stiff-necked: 1. Stiff-neckedness is rooted in pride and self-will When a person is stiff-necked, they are placing their own desires and agenda above God’s. They want to remain in control rather than yielding to God. We…
Author: Emma Price
The passage of John 7:53—8:11, often referred to as the Pericope Adulterae, has been the subject of much debate among scholars regarding its authenticity and whether it originally belonged in the Gospel of John. The passage describes an encounter between Jesus and a woman caught in adultery, where Jesus challenges those who would stone her by saying “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” There are several reasons why the authenticity of this passage has been questioned: It is missing from the earliest and best Greek manuscripts of John’s gospel.…
Is being a sperm/egg donor a sin? The question of whether being a sperm or egg donor is a sin is an important one for Christians to consider carefully. There are several biblical principles and passages that can help provide guidance on this issue. The Sanctity of Life One foundational biblical concept relevant to this question is the sanctity of human life. The Bible teaches that human beings are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and that life is a sacred gift from the Creator. Deliberately donating sperm or eggs with the intent that they be used to…
Theudas is a figure mentioned briefly in the Bible, specifically in Acts 5:36. He was referenced by Gamaliel when giving advice to the Sanhedrin on how to deal with the apostles shortly after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here is what the Bible says about Theudas: For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. (Acts 5:36 ESV) Based on this verse, we can gather a few key facts about Theudas: He…
According to the Bible, the eternal state of the believer after death is to be with God in heaven. This is made possible through faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice on the cross. When a person puts their trust in Christ, their sins are forgiven and they receive eternal life (John 3:16). The Bible describes heaven as a place of perfection, with no more pain, suffering, or death (Revelation 21:4). Believers will worship God face-to-face and serve him forever (Revelation 22:3-5). It will be a place of incredible joy, peace, beauty, and fulfillment (Psalm 16:11, Revelation 21:4). After…
The concept of transferring spirits is not explicitly discussed in the Bible. However, there are some related biblical principles that can give insight into this topic: 1. Human spirits come from God The Bible teaches that human spirits originate from God. When God created Adam, He “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). Our spirits come directly from God at conception (Ecclesiastes 12:7, Zechariah 12:1). Therefore, human spirits cannot be “transferred” from one person to another in the same way that a bodily organ can be transplanted. 2. There is…
The book of Revelation contains messages written by the apostle John to seven churches in Asia Minor. In Revelation chapters 1-3, each message begins with a command to write to the “angel” of that particular church. There has been some debate among Bible scholars as to whether these “angels” were supernatural angelic beings or human messengers/representatives of the churches. There are good arguments on both sides of this issue. Here is an overview of the main points: Evidence they were supernatural angels The Greek word translated “angel” is aggelos, which usually refers to a supernatural angelic being in the New…
Loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is a command given by Jesus in the Gospels. It calls us to love God fully and completely, with every facet of our being. This type of wholehearted love and devotion to God is foundational to the Christian faith. But what exactly does it look like in practice? Let’s explore the meaning behind loving God in this comprehensive way. Loving God with All Your Heart When the Bible speaks of the “heart,” it is referring to the core of our being – our innermost thoughts, desires, and intentions. Loving God…
The question of whether wine or grape juice should be used during communion is one that has been debated among Christians for centuries. There are good arguments on both sides, and Scripture does not definitively settle the issue. Ultimately, it is a matter of biblical interpretation and Christian freedom. Looking at the relevant biblical passages can help shed light on this discussion. Biblical Basis for Using Wine There are several lines of biblical evidence that support using actual wine during communion: Jesus instituted communion during the Passover meal, which traditionally involved drinking wine (Matthew 26:17-29). The Greek word for “wine”…
The phrase “blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” appears several times in the Bible, most notably in Psalm 118:26. It is a significant phrase that points to the identity and mission of Jesus Christ. In Psalm 118, this phrase appears in the context of a victory procession. The psalmist says “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” as a blessing upon the king or ruler who has won a battle and is entering the city in triumph. The people line the streets welcoming their victorious king shouting “Hosanna!” which means “save…