When Did the Separation of Humanity into Jews and Gentiles Occur? The separation of humanity into Jews and Gentiles first began with the calling of Abraham in Genesis 12. Prior to Abraham, there was no distinction made between different people groups. All of humanity descended from Adam and Eve and lived together as one people. However, God chose to set apart Abraham and his descendants as a unique nation that would follow and worship Him. The Calling of Abraham In Genesis 12:1-3, God calls Abram (later renamed Abraham) to leave his country and relatives and go to the land that…
Author: Erin Weitzman
Lebanon is mentioned over 70 times in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. Here is an overview of the significance of Lebanon in the Scriptures: Cedars of Lebanon The cedars of Lebanon are mentioned frequently in the Bible. These tall and majestic trees were highly valued in ancient times for their durability, aroma, and water resistance. King Solomon used cedars from Lebanon extensively in the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 5:6-10, 6:9-10, 7:2-3). The cedars conveyed a sense of grandeur and permanence. Several Old Testament prophets used the cedars as a metaphor for…
The spiritual gift of helps is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:28 as one of the gifts of the Spirit given to believers in Christ. The Greek word translated “helps” in this verse is antilepsis, which means “support” or “aid.” This gift involves bearing the burdens of others and providing assistance to those in need. Some key things the Bible teaches about the gift of helps: 1. It complements other gifts In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul compares the church to a human body, with many parts working together. He explains that God has appointed various spiritual gifts in the church so…
The Good News Bible (GNB), also known as the Good News Translation (GNT) in the United States or Today’s English Version (TEV), is an English translation of the Bible by the American Bible Society. Published in 1976, it was created to be easily understandable by the majority of English speakers around the world. Here is an overview of the key features and history of the Good News Bible (GNB/TEV): Origin and Translation Philosophy The Good News Bible was translated by Robert G. Bratcher for the American Bible Society. The goal was to create a new English translation that was faithful…
Motherhood is a central theme throughout the Bible. Many verses discuss the importance of mothers, their influence, and the respect and care that is due to them. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible passages about mothers: Honoring Mothers One of the Ten Commandments is to “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). This commandment comes with a promise – “that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” Honoring mothers is not contingent on whether they are perfect; it’s a general biblical principle. Ephesians 6:2 also instructs…
Worry is a common human emotion that we all experience from time to time. However, the Bible has a lot to say about worry, encouraging us to avoid anxious thoughts and find peace through faith in God. Here are some key Bible verses about worry and anxiety: Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) This popular verse reminds us not to be worried…
The book of Revelation contains a vision described by the apostle John in which he sees seven golden lampstands. These seven lampstands are interpreted as representing seven churches (Revelation 1:20). Understanding the imagery and significance of the seven lampstands can provide insight into this important prophetic vision. The Vision of the Seven Lampstands The vision is recorded in Revelation 1:9-20. John states that he was on the island of Patmos when he heard a loud voice telling him to write down the things he saw and send them to the seven churches in Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis,…
The Bible addresses the topic of homosexuality in several passages. Here is an overview of some of the key verses: Old Testament Verses The Old Testament contains several verses that condemn homosexual acts: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” (Leviticus 18:22) “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.” (Leviticus 20:13) These verses explicitly prohibit men from engaging in sexual relations with other men, declaring it an “abomination.” This…
Prayer is a vital part of the Christian life. The Bible has a great deal to say about prayer and teaches us how to pray in accordance with God’s will. Here are some key Bible verses about prayer: Pray Continually 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says “pray without ceasing.” This indicates we should have a lifestyle of continual prayer and be in constant communion with God. Prayer should be part of our everyday life, not just something we do in times of need. Ask and It Will Be Given Matthew 7:7 says “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and…
The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ is given authority to judge all people. This role is closely tied to His identity as the Son of God who became a man, lived a perfect life, died for sins, and rose from the dead. Here is an overview of key biblical passages that reveal Jesus as judge: Old Testament prophecies of the coming Judge Several Old Testament passages anticipate a coming Righteous Judge from God who will judge the world. For example: Isaiah 11:1-5 prophesies that the Messianic shoot from the stem of Jesse will come with righteousness to “judge the…