Nympha is mentioned only once in the Bible, in Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Let’s look at what the Bible says about her: Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. (Colossians 4:15 ESV) This verse tells us three key things about Nympha: She was a woman who hosted a church in her house. The church met in her specific house, indicating she was a prominent, wealthy, and hospitable woman. The church in her house was in the city of Laodicea, located in modern day Turkey. In the early…
Author: Emma Price
Ellen G. White (1827-1915) was a pioneering figure in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She is considered by Adventists to have exercised the biblical gift of prophecy during the 70 years of her public ministry. Early Life and Conversion Ellen Harmon was born on November 26, 1827 in Gorham, Maine to Robert and Eunice Harmon. At age 9, she suffered a serious injury when a classmate threw a rock at her face, nearly killing her. The recovery was slow and she struggled with health issues for the rest of her life. In 1840, at age 12, Ellen attended…
Elimelech was a man from the tribe of Judah who lived during the time of the judges. He was married to a woman named Naomi and they had two sons together named Mahlon and Chilion. Here is what the Bible reveals about Elimelech: Elimelech Left Bethlehem Elimelech was originally from Bethlehem in the land of Judah (Ruth 1:1-2). However, a severe famine struck the land during the time of the judges (Ruth 1:1). As a result, Elimelech decided to leave Bethlehem and dwell in the country of Moab with his family to escape the lack of food (Ruth 1:1-2). This…
Gopher wood is mentioned only once in the Bible, in Genesis 6, as the material God instructed Noah to use to build the ark. The exact identity of gopher wood is unknown. However, some possibilities have been suggested by Bible scholars: 1. Cypress – The Hebrew word for gopher wood is “gopher” which sounds similar to “cypress.” Cypress trees were plentiful in the Middle East and their wood is durable and resistant to rot, making it a good choice for shipbuilding. The Greek Septuagint translation of the Old Testament translates gopher wood as cypress. 2. Cedar – The cedar tree…
The timing of the rapture in relation to the Tribulation is a topic that many Christians wonder about. The Bible does provide some clues as to when the rapture will take place, though there are differing views among Bible scholars. In this 9,000 word article, we will walk through what the Bible says about the timing of the rapture and examine the evidence for the different positions. Understanding the Rapture and the Tribulation First, it’s important to understand what the rapture and Tribulation refer to. The rapture refers to the event where believers in Christ will suddenly be “caught up”…
Red hair is somewhat rare, occurring naturally in only 1-2% of the global population. However, it has appeared throughout history in various cultures and religions. The Bible contains a few notable characters described as having red hair or ruddy complexions. Here is an overview of the major biblical figures associated with red hair: David David, who became the second king of Israel, is described in 1 Samuel 16:12 as being “ruddy and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome.” The Hebrew word used for ruddy is “admoni” which implies the reddish color of hair or skin. So David likely had red…
In Philippians 4:8, Paul instructs believers: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” This verse encourages Christians to fill their minds with virtuous thoughts and meditate on that which is good and praiseworthy. But what exactly does it mean to think on whatever is noble? The Context of Philippians 4:8 To properly understand this verse, it is important to consider the broader context of the passage. Philippians 4 begins with Paul…
The verse 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (ESV). This verse contains the phrases “examine yourselves” and “test yourselves”, which are essentially saying the same thing – to look inward and evaluate if one’s faith and life align with biblical truths. 1. Testing faith and salvation A key aspect of “testing yourselves” is examining whether one’s faith is genuine, and whether one is truly saved. This involves assessing if…
Deciding to leave the Christian faith is not a light matter. As with any major life decision, it’s important to carefully weigh the reasons for and against this choice. Here are some considerations on why you may want to continue following Jesus rather than abandoning the faith entirely. 1. The Bible’s Reliability and Truth The foundation of Christianity rests on the truth and authority of the Bible. While skeptics argue against the Bible’s reliability, evidence continues mounting for its historical accuracy and life-changing power. Archaeological discoveries, manuscript evidence, fulfilled prophecy and more point to the Bible’s divine inspiration (2 Timothy…
The words “jot” and “tittle” appear a few times in the Bible, specifically in the New Testament. Understanding what these words mean can provide insight into the messages communicated in those passages. The Meaning of “Jot” The word “jot” is used in Matthew 5:18, where Jesus says, “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (NIV) In the English Standard Version, the verse reads: “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass…