Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter that begins the Holy Week. It commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as the crowds welcomed Him by waving palm branches and covering His path with palm branches. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Passion Week, the final week of Lent that includes the days leading up to and including the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Bible records Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem in all four Gospels – Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19. As Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey, the crowds welcomed Him by laying down their cloaks…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
Diligence is defined as careful and persistent work or effort. The Bible has a lot to say about living a diligent life and doing our work with excellence. Here are some key Bible verses about diligence: Proverbs 10:4 “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” This verse contrasts the results of laziness versus diligence. A lazy attitude leads to lack and want, while diligent work leads to prosperity. Proverbs 13:4 “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” Again, we see the importance of…
The command for the Israelites to destroy the Midianites is found in Numbers 31:17-18, which says “Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. But all the young girls who have not known man by lying with him keep alive for yourselves.” This was part of God’s command for Israel to take vengeance on the Midianites for their role in leading Israel into apostasy and idolatry. Understanding the background and context is important for properly interpreting this difficult passage. Background on Israel, Moab and Midian Earlier in…
Fear is a common and natural human emotion that everyone experiences at times. However, the Bible has much to say about fear, and offers wisdom and reassurance for dealing with it. A key theme throughout Scripture is that while fear itself is not sinful, it can lead us into sin when we allow it to control us. There are nearly 100 verses in the Bible that tell us to “fear not” or “be not afraid.” God does not want us to live in fear and anxiety, but rather to trust in Him. So in that sense, fear can act as…
The Bible has a lot to say about talents and our responsibility in using the talents God has given us. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses about talents: The Parable of the Talents – Matthew 25:14-30 One of the most well-known passages about talents is the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. In this parable, a master entrusts his servants with different amounts of money (“talents”) while he is away. When he returns, the servants who invested and multiplied their talents are rewarded, while the servant who buried his talent is rebuked. Key verses include: “For…
The doctrine of irresistible grace, also called efficacious grace, is a theological concept in Calvinism. It refers to the idea that when God calls someone to salvation, they cannot resist or reject that call. This doctrine is closely linked to the Calvinist doctrines of unconditional election (that God chooses who will be saved without condition) and perseverance of the saints (that believers will persevere in faith). The key biblical passages used to support irresistible grace are: John 6:37 – “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” This…
Limited Atonement—Is it Biblical? The doctrine of limited atonement, also known as particular redemption or definite atonement, is one of the five points of Calvinism. It asserts that Jesus’ atoning death on the cross was intended to redeem and secure salvation only for the elect, those whom God has chosen to be saved, rather than for all humanity. This doctrine has been a point of controversy and debate throughout church history. What does the Bible have to say about this doctrine? Let’s explore the biblical evidence surrounding this topic. Definitions and Key Terms To properly understand the doctrine of limited…
Zechariah was an Old Testament prophet who lived and prophesied during the time when the Jewish people had returned from exile in Babylon to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Zechariah’s ministry took place from approximately 520-518 B.C., making him a contemporary of the prophet Haggai. Zechariah’s name means “Yahweh remembers” or “Yahweh has remembered.” This refers to God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people Israel. The book of Zechariah contains extensive messianic prophecies about the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, which contributes to Zechariah’s importance as a prophet. Zechariah’s Background The Bible provides some biographical background on…
Sennacherib was the king of Assyria from 705 to 681 BC. He is one of the main villains described in the Bible for his invasion of Judah and siege of Jerusalem during the reign of king Hezekiah. Here is an overview of the key facts about Sennacherib according to the Bible: Sennacherib’s Invasion of Judah In 2 Kings 18, it describes how Sennacherib invaded the kingdom of Judah during the 14th year of king Hezekiah’s reign (around 701 BC). The Assyrians had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and deported many of the people. Now Sennacherib turned his sights…
The concept of eternal life is central to the Christian faith. The Bible teaches that God created human beings to live forever in perfect relationship with Him. However, sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, resulting in death and separation from God (Genesis 3). The rest of the Bible is essentially the story of God’s plan to restore eternal life to humanity through Jesus Christ. So what exactly does the Bible teach about eternal life? Let’s explore some key points: Eternal Life is a Gift from God Eternal life is not something we can earn or deserve on…