The Bible provides insight into the origin of mankind in the Book of Genesis. According to Genesis 1, God created the heavens, the earth, light, day and night, the sky, the seas, the land, vegetation, the sun, moon and stars, sea creatures, birds, land animals, and finally man and woman in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27). Genesis 2 provides more details about the creation of the first man and woman. Genesis 2 states that God formed the first man, Adam, out of dust from the ground and breathed into him the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). God then planted the…
Author: Emma Price
Ephesians 1:4 says, “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” This verse teaches the biblical doctrine of election – that God chose believers in Christ before the world was even created. Here is an explanation of what this means and its implications. God’s Sovereign Choice The first thing Ephesians 1:4 reveals is that God’s choice of believers was a sovereign act of His will, independent of any qualities, actions, or faith on our part. The verse says God chose us “in Christ” before the foundation…
Flavius Josephus was a first century Jewish historian who wrote extensively about Jewish history, culture, and religion. He was born Joseph ben Matthias in 37 CE in Jerusalem, which was part of the Roman province of Judea at the time. Josephus came from a priestly family and received an extensive education in Jewish law and history. When the First Jewish–Roman War broke out in 66 CE, Josephus was appointed as a military commander in Galilee, but was captured by the Romans in 67 CE. He won favor with the Roman emperors Vespasian and Titus by prophesying their rise to power…
Submission is a controversial concept in today’s society. Many resist the idea of submitting to any authority outside of themselves. However, the Bible has much to teach us about mutual submission between believers. Ephesians 5:21 says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” This verse introduces the passages on marriage that follow. But it also stands on its own as an important principle for relationships within the church. Let’s explore what submitting to one another looks like in practice. 1. Submitting means putting others first Our natural inclination is to look out for ourselves and our own interests…
Solomon’s Porch was a structure located on the east side of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. It was a covered colonnade or portico that ran along the outer wall of the Temple enclosure. The Porch was originally built by King Solomon when he constructed the First Temple around 950 BC. It was later rebuilt as part of King Herod’s expansion and renovation of the Second Temple complex in the 1st century BC. The Porch is mentioned several times in the New Testament as a place where Jesus taught and healed. In John 10:23 we read,…
Who was Peter in the Bible? Peter was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ and a prominent figure in the early Christian church. Here is an overview of Peter’s life and ministry according to the Bible: Peter’s Names The disciple Peter had several names in the Bible: – Simon: His original Hebrew name, given at birth (John 1:42) – Cephas: An Aramaic nickname meaning “rock,” given by Jesus (John 1:42) – Peter: The Greek translation of Cephas, the name most commonly used for him in the New Testament Peter’s Background Peter came from the town of Bethsaida in…
This is a profoundly important question for every Christian. The good news is that the Bible provides clear and comforting answers about God’s willingness to forgive our sins through Jesus Christ. First, it’s vital to understand that all people are sinners (Romans 3:23) who deserve God’s judgment. Even Christians continue to struggle with sinful desires and behaviors. Thankfully, God is rich in mercy and love (Ephesians 2:4-5). He has made a way for us to be forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness. God is ready and willing to forgive all sins The Bible contains many examples of God’s eagerness to…
The human spirit is the immaterial, eternal part of human beings that connects us to God. The Bible has much to say about the nature and role of the human spirit. Here is an overview of key biblical teachings on the human spirit: 1. The human spirit comes from God The Bible teaches that God is the Creator of all things, including human beings. When God created Adam, He “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). This breath from God animated Adam and made him a living person. The human…
Who was Seth in the Bible? Seth was the third named son of Adam and Eve mentioned in the Book of Genesis. Here is a comprehensive overview of Seth’s life and significance according to the Bible: Lineage and Family Seth was born after Cain killed Abel and was banished from Eden (Genesis 4:1-2). The Bible says Seth was born “in Adam’s likeness, after his image” when Adam was 130 years old (Genesis 5:3). Seth’s father was Adam and his mother was Eve. Seth married and had children including a son named Enosh when he was 105 years old (Genesis 5:6).…
The term “medium” is used in various ways in the Bible, but generally refers to someone who claims to communicate with the spirit world. The Bible takes a cautious view of mediums, warning against using their services or trusting their claims. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about mediums: Old Testament Warnings Against Mediums The Old Testament contains several warnings against mediums and seeking to communicate with the dead. Consulting mediums was associated with pagan religious practices that ancient Israel was commanded to avoid (Leviticus 19:31, 20:6). God condemned mediums along with practitioners of other occult arts…