The concept of the pre-existence of souls, that human souls existed before they inhabited bodily form, is not explicitly stated in the Bible. However, there are some passages that have been interpreted as suggesting the pre-existence of souls. Here is an overview of the key biblical evidence related to this topic: Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5) This verse speaks of God’s foreknowledge of Jeremiah and setting him apart before he was physically conceived and…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a German professor of theology, priest and seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation. His Ninety-Five Theses of 1517 denounced certain Catholic Church practices and helped spark the Reformation. Luther’s theology challenged the authority of the Pope by holding that the Bible is the only infallible source of Christian doctrine. His translation of the Bible from Latin into German made Scripture more accessible and had a tremendous impact on the church and on German culture. Luther is a hugely influential, revered figure in church history. However, Luther also made a number of deeply troubling statements about Jews…
The phrase “grace upon grace” in John 1:16 is rich with meaning and insight into the nature of God’s grace towards us. To properly understand this verse, we must look at it in its full context: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all…
The road to Emmaus is an important event recorded in Luke 24 in the Bible. It takes place after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Two of Jesus’ followers were walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus, discussing the recent events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion and death. As they walked and talked, Jesus himself came up and began walking with them, but they did not recognize him (Luke 24:13-16). Jesus asked them what they were discussing so intently as they walked. Cleopas, one of the two followers, expressed surprise that Jesus did not know about the recent events in…
The Bible does not directly address the issue of wearing hats in church. However, there are some principles and passages that can provide wisdom on this topic. Principles from 1 Corinthians In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul addresses proper decorum in worship gatherings. He writes: But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head,…
The Bible teaches that God is all-powerful, or omnipotent. This means that God has unlimited power and authority to do anything He desires. There are several key things the Bible reveals about God’s omnipotence: God’s Power Has No Limits God’s power has no boundaries or restrictions. There is nothing too difficult for Him to accomplish (Genesis 18:14). Scripture says that with God, “all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). God’s power is infinite, meaning it is without limits or constraints. He has complete and full power to do whatever He chooses. God Can Do All His Holy Will God’s omnipotence means…
The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35, which simply states “Jesus wept.” However, despite being only two words in English, this verse conveys a profound message about Christ’s humanity and compassion. In the passages leading up to John 11:35, Jesus’ friend Lazarus has died and been in the tomb for four days. When Jesus arrives in Bethany and sees the grief of Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, he is deeply moved. Although Jesus knows he will raise Lazarus from the dead, he still grieves with those who are mourning. John 11:35 reminds us that Jesus was fully human…
The phrase “balm of Gilead” is used three times in the Bible, all in the Old Testament. It is an expression that has come to signify something with healing or soothing powers. The actual balm of Gilead was made from the resin of a tree that grew in Gilead, a mountainous region east of the Jordan River. Let’s explore the biblical mentions of balm of Gilead and what meaning can be drawn from them. Jeremiah’s Questions The first reference to balm of Gilead is in Jeremiah chapter 8 verse 22, where the prophet asks rhetorically, “Is there no balm in…
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity in Christian theology. Though referred to as “He” and “Him” in the Bible, the Holy Spirit is not a human person but rather one of the three persons of God. The other two are God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. Here is an overview of the key things the Bible teaches about the identity and work of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is God The Holy Spirit is not some impersonal force or power, but a divine person. Several Bible verses affirm the full deity and divine…
The Bible has a lot to say about having an optimistic and positive outlook on life. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical principles related to optimism: 1. Trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty One of the main sources of optimism for Christians is faith in God’s character and control over all circumstances. Numerous verses encourage trusting that God is good, loving, and all-powerful (Psalm 136:1, Nahum 1:7, Romans 8:28). Believing that an all-good and all-powerful God is in charge gives hope and confidence that even negative situations will ultimately work for good. 2. Focus on positive…