The prison epistles refer to four letters written by the apostle Paul during his imprisonment. These letters include Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Paul wrote these letters during his Roman imprisonment, likely around AD 60-62. The prison epistles provide unique insight into Paul’s theology and his pastoral heart for the churches under his care. Background on Paul’s Imprisonment In Acts 21, Paul was falsely accused of bringing a Gentile into the temple in Jerusalem. This led to his arrest by the Romans. After being held prisoner in Caesarea for two years, Paul appealed his case to Caesar and was sent…
Author: Emma Price
The Bible teaches that salvation is a free gift from God that cannot be earned by human effort or good works. This gift is made possible through God’s grace and mercy and is received through faith in Jesus Christ. Here is an overview of key biblical truths about salvation as a gift from God: Salvation Cannot Be Earned The Bible clearly states that salvation cannot be earned through human effort or good works. Verses like Ephesians 2:8-9 state, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,…
The Bible does not provide detailed physical descriptions of most biblical figures. However, through careful examination of the text, we can glean some insights into what certain key individuals may have looked like based on references to their appearance, cultural context, and family lineage. Old Testament Figures Adam and Eve As the first two human beings created by God, Adam and Eve likely looked similar to modern humans physically. Genesis 1:27 states that “God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” This suggests that the first man…
This is a common question that many Christians wrestle with. The short answer is yes, Christians should continue to ask God for forgiveness when they sin. However, there are some important biblical truths to understand about why this is necessary and how God’s forgiveness works. We Are All Sinners Who Need God’s Forgiveness The Bible clearly teaches that all people are sinners (Romans 3:23) and that the consequence of sin is spiritual death and separation from God (Romans 6:23). Even after becoming Christians, believers continue to struggle with sin in their lives (1 John 1:8). So every Christian needs to…
The city of Sardis plays an important role in the Bible, being mentioned several times in the New Testament. Located in what is now western Turkey, Sardis served as the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia in the 7th century BC and was an important regional center for centuries afterwards. The city was home to a Jewish community during the 1st century AD when Christianity began to spread in the region. The book of Revelation, in particular, contains messages directly addressed to the church in Sardis. Sardis is first mentioned in the Bible in Revelation 1:11, where it is…
Restorationism refers to a group of Christian movements that arose in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and that sought to return to the early structure and practices of the church. The central belief is that the true Christian faith and church were lost not long after Jesus established them, and it is the duty of believers to restore the early church in doctrine and practice. The emphasis is on restoring the ecclesiastical structure and function of the early church rather than doctrine, although doctrine is also important. Restorationists believe that the changes and divisions that developed over time,…
The Bible teaches that before Jesus died on the cross and rose again, people were saved by looking forward to the promised Messiah. Though Jesus’ atoning sacrifice was still future, God credited righteousness to those who trusted in Him. Here is an overview of how people were saved before Jesus’ death and resurrection: 1. Salvation has always been by grace through faith Ephesians 2:8-9 makes clear that salvation has always been by grace through faith, not by works. God has never saved people because they were “good enough.” Salvation has always been a free gift received by faith (Romans 4:1-5).…
The phrase “gathered to his people” is used several times in the Bible, primarily in the Old Testament. It refers to someone dying and joining their ancestors who have passed on before them. Here is a detailed explanation of the meaning and significance of this biblical phrase. 1. It indicates dying and death The primary meaning of being “gathered to one’s people” is dying and death. We see this clearly in instances like Genesis 25:8, which says “Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his…
The question of which religion is the oldest in the world is a complex one without a definitive answer. Based on biblical accounts, Judaism and its monotheistic worship of the God of Abraham emerged approximately 4,000 years ago during the Bronze Age. However, ancient polytheistic and pantheistic religions predate Judaism by millennia. To gain insight into this question from a biblical perspective, we must examine the scriptural accounts of the origins of the world’s major religions. The Beginning of Religion in Genesis According to Genesis, the first book of the Bible, God created the heavens, earth, and all life in…
The question of whether salvation is by faith alone or by faith plus works has been debated for centuries. The Bible provides insight into this important theological issue and what is required for salvation. Faith Alone The doctrine of salvation by faith alone, also called sola fide, asserts that we are saved solely by our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, not by anything we do. This view emphasizes God’s grace and the completed work of Christ on the cross as sufficient for salvation. Several key biblical passages support faith alone: – “For by grace you have been saved through…