This is an excellent question that many have pondered when reading the creation account in Genesis 1. Let’s take a closer look at what the Bible says about the creation of light and the sun: Light Created on Day 1 Genesis 1:3-5 describes the first day of creation: “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness he called ‘night.’ And there was evening, and there was morning – the first day.” So on the…
Author: Matt Primack
Swearing, also known as cursing, using foul language, or cussing, is a sensitive topic addressed in the Bible. God’s Word provides insight into how followers of Christ should view swearing and use their words. The Bible contains verses that directly prohibit certain types of swearing and offer principles for God-honoring speech. Other passages record curses spoken by biblical figures in moments of anger or distress. Studying these verses in context is helpful for understanding God’s heart on this matter. Verses against swearing and foul language Several verses instruct believers to avoid swearing, filthy language, and unwholesome talk. “Let no corrupting…
Docetism was an early Christian heresy that taught that Jesus only seemed to be human, and that his physical body was an illusion. The word Docetism comes from the Greek word “dokein” which means “to seem.” Docetists believed that Jesus was divine but that he only appeared to become incarnate as a human. They taught that God cannot suffer and die, so Jesus only appeared to take on human flesh and suffer crucifixion. However, his physical body was not real according to Docetist thought. This theology developed in the first few centuries after Christ’s death and resurrection and was viewed…
Pentecost Sunday is a Christian holiday that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Book of Acts. The name comes from the Greek word “pentekoste” meaning fiftieth, as Pentecost Sunday occurs on the fiftieth day after Easter. Here is an overview of the biblical significance and modern celebrations of Pentecost Sunday: Old Testament Background The origins of Pentecost lie in the Jewish festival of Weeks (Shavuot), which falls fifty days after Passover. As described in Leviticus 23:15-21, Shavuot was an agricultural festival celebrating the wheat harvest and involved bringing offerings…
The possibility of sinning in heaven is a question that many Christians have pondered. At first glance, it may seem that heaven, being a perfect place, would not allow for sin. However, a closer look at Scripture shows that the issue is more complex than it appears. First, it helps to define “heaven.” When most people think of heaven, they are thinking of the eternal state when believers will be resurrected and live forever with God after the final judgment. This is described in Revelation 21-22 as the New Heavens and New Earth. There are also intermediate heavenly states, such…
Doxastic voluntarism is the philosophical view that people have control over their own beliefs and can choose to believe or disbelieve propositions at will. The term comes from the Greek word “doxa” meaning belief or opinion. Voluntarism refers to the notion that belief formation is an act of the will. So doxastic voluntarists argue that beliefs are subject to the will in the same way that actions are. Just as we can choose how to act, we can also choose what to believe. This view stands in contrast to doxastic involuntarism, which states that people cannot directly control their beliefs.…
The Apocryphon of John is an early Christian text that likely originated in the 2nd century AD. It is part of the collection of texts known as the Nag Hammadi library, discovered in Egypt in 1945. The Apocryphon of John is a Gnostic text – meaning it reflects a Gnostic worldview. Gnosticism was an early Christian movement which held that salvation came through secret knowledge (gnosis in Greek). As such, Gnostic texts like the Apocryphon of John claim to disclose secret teachings about God, creation, and salvation. The Apocryphon of John purports to contain secret revelations given by Jesus to…
Choosing a church home can be a daunting task for many Christians. With so many options available, how do you know which church is right for you and your family? The Bible offers some guidance on what to look for in a faith community. At its most basic level, a church is a gathering of believers who meet together to worship God, study Scripture, pray and fellowship together. The Bible uses words like “ekklesia” in Greek and “qahal” in Hebrew to describe the assembly of God’s people. This assembly was central to faith in both the Old and New Testaments.…
We have received your request! The Bible has a lot to say about requests we make to God and to others. Here is an overview of some of the key points the Bible makes about requests: Prayer is making requests to God. A major theme throughout the Bible is that we can bring our requests to God through prayer. Jesus told us to “ask and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7). Philippians 4:6 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” We are instructed…
Bethsaida is mentioned several times in the New Testament as a city located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was the hometown of some of Jesus’ disciples and the site of many of His miracles and teachings. Here is an overview of the significance of Bethsaida in the Bible: Hometown of Jesus’ Disciples Bethsaida was the hometown of the fisherman brothers Peter, Andrew, and Philip (John 1:44). After Jesus called them to be His disciples, they brought others from Bethsaida to meet Him as well (John 12:21). Several other disciples may have also been from Bethsaida,…