The question of whether a Christian can lose the Holy Spirit is an important one. Some believe that once you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at salvation, He sealing you for eternity. Others believe it is possible to drive the Holy Spirit away through persistent, unrepentant sin. What does the Bible teach on this issue? The Permanence of the Holy Spirit There are several passages in Scripture that emphasize the permanence of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of a believer: Ephesians 1:13-14 states that when we heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation,…
Author: Kristal Wheatley
The Old Covenant refers to the covenant that God made with the people of Israel at Mount Sinai after He freed them from slavery in Egypt. This covenant is described in detail in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The Old Covenant established Israel as God’s chosen people and gave them the Law that God expected them to follow. Here is an overview of some key aspects of the Old Covenant: The Giving of the Law When God freed Israel from Egypt, He brought them to Mount Sinai to make a covenant with them. At Mount Sinai, God…
Simeon is a figure mentioned several times in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. Here is an overview of the key things the Bible tells us about who Simeon was: Simeon, Son of Jacob The first Simeon we meet in the Bible is Simeon, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Genesis 29:33). Jacob, whose name was later changed to Israel, was the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham. Simeon’s mother was Leah, one of Jacob’s wives. Genesis 29:33 tells us that Leah named her second son Simeon, saying “Because the Lord has heard that I…
Saul of Tarsus, who later became known as the apostle Paul, led an eventful life prior to his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. Though the Bible does not provide a complete biography of Saul’s early years, it does reveal some key details about his background, family, education, religious training, and early opposition to the church. Saul’s Background and Family Saul was born around the same time as Jesus, likely between 5 and 10 AD (Acts 7:58; Php 3:5). His birthplace was Tarsus, a significant city in the Roman province of Cilicia located on the southeast coast of modern-day…
In the Bible, high places refer to elevated sites that were used for pagan worship and sacrifice. They were prevalent in ancient Israelite society and represented a syncretism between the worship of Yahweh and pagan gods. The building of high places for worship was expressly forbidden by God, as He commanded the Israelites to destroy the altars and images associated with false gods (Exodus 34:13). However, high places continued to be a problem through much of Israel’s history. Some of the key things the Bible reveals about high places include: High places were situated on hills, mountains, or other natural…
Finding the perfect spouse is one of the most important decisions a person can make in life. For Christians, the Bible offers timeless wisdom and guidance on discernment in choosing a godly marriage partner. While no human is perfect, Scripture outlines key traits and principles to look for in evaluating compatibility and readiness for marriage. Seek the Lord’s Guidance Through Prayer The process of finding a spouse begins with seeking the Lord in prayer. We should ask God to guide us in finding the right person, while submitting to His perfect will and timing. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and…
Wisdom literature refers to a genre of biblical writings that provide practical advice and reflections on life. The books commonly categorized as wisdom literature in the Bible include Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. Let’s take a closer look at each of these books and what they have to offer. Proverbs The Book of Proverbs contains short, pithy sayings that offer nuggets of wisdom and instruction for living well. Many of the proverbs contrast the wise and foolish ways of living and highlight the benefits of pursuing wisdom. For example, Proverbs 10:1 states “A wise son makes a glad father, but a…
Esau was one of the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah in the Old Testament. He was the older twin brother of Jacob. Esau’s story is told primarily in Genesis chapters 25-36. Here is an overview of the key details about Esau from the Bible: Esau and Jacob’s Birth Isaac and Rebekah were married for 20 years but did not have any children. Finally Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, and she became pregnant with twins (Genesis 25:20-21). As the boys grew in Rebekah’s womb, they “struggled together within her” (Genesis 25:22). Rebekah inquired of the…
The phrase “the devil made me do it” has become a common excuse used by people to avoid taking responsibility for their own poor choices and sinful actions. However, the Bible makes it clear that this is not a valid defense before God. Here are 9000 words explaining why blaming Satan does not absolve us of culpability: First, the Bible teaches that human beings have a sinful nature and inclination towards evil from birth as a result of the Fall (Genesis 3, Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:23). This means we are predisposed towards sinful desires and behaviors apart from any temptation…
The concept of “blind faith” is often misunderstood when it comes to Christianity. Some people think that God expects us to believe in Him without any evidence or good reasons. However, this is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible makes it clear that faith in God is not blind, but rather is based on solid evidence and good reasons. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” This verse indicates that biblical faith is a confident trust or conviction based on the evidence, even when we have…