The word “ephphatha” appears only once in the Bible, in Mark 7:34. It is an Aramaic word that Jesus spoke when he healed a deaf man by touching his ears and tongue. The Biblical Account The story is recounted in Mark 7:31-37: Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. After he took him aside, away from the crowd,…
Author: Matt Primack
The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the most important event in human history. It is the pivotal moment that demonstrates Jesus’ divinity and confirms the truth of Christianity. There are several reasons why Christ’s resurrection is so vital: 1. It validates Jesus’ claims about himself During his earthly ministry, Jesus made remarkable claims about his identity. He claimed to be the divine Son of God (John 10:30), the promised Messiah (John 4:26), and the only way to the Father (John 14:6). If Jesus remained dead after the crucifixion, we would have no reason to believe these…
A solemn assembly is a sacred gathering or meeting that is characterized by seriousness, reverence, and deep introspection. In the Bible, a solemn assembly was a time when God’s people came together to seek the Lord, humble themselves through fasting and prayer, and rededicate their commitment to following Him. The concept of a solemn assembly has its roots in the Old Testament. God instructed Moses to gather the Israelites for “a solemn assembly to the Lord your God” when giving them the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 9:10). Solemn assemblies were associated with holy days and festivals, times of corporate repentance, renewing…
Deception is a major theme throughout the Bible. Many verses warn against deceiving others or being deceived ourselves. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages about deception: Old Testament Verses on Deception In the Old Testament, deceit is condemned as sinful and folly. For example: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” (Proverbs 12:22) “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” (Proverbs 12:19) “An honest witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.” (Proverbs 14:5) The book of Jeremiah warns against trusting in deceptive…
John the Apostle was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ and is traditionally considered the author of the Gospel of John, the three Johannine epistles, and the Book of Revelation in the New Testament. John was part of Jesus’ inner circle along with Peter and James, and was referred to as the “disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23). Some key points about John the Apostle from the Bible: John’s Background John was the son of Zebedee and the younger brother of James (Matthew 4:21). Their mother was Salome (Matthew 27:56). John and James were fishermen along with Simon…
The phrase “in the likeness of sinful flesh” comes from Romans 8:3, which says that God sent His Son “in the likeness of sinful flesh.” This is a profound statement about Jesus Christ and His incarnation. In 9000 words, here is an explanation of what it means that Jesus came “in the likeness of sinful flesh”: To understand this phrase, we first need to understand what is meant by “flesh.” In the Bible, the term “flesh” is often used to refer to humanity or human nature in its fallen, corrupted state. For example, Romans 7:5 says “For while we were…
The Bible has much to say about generic criticism and how Christians should handle it. Here is an overview of the key biblical principles on this topic: What is Generic Criticism? Generic criticism refers to broad, general critiques that are not specific or constructive. This type of criticism focuses on overall weaknesses rather than details that can be improved. It tends to make blanket statements without providing helpful feedback. For example, saying “your work is terrible” is a generic criticism. On the other hand, “the introduction didn’t grab my attention – consider starting with an engaging story” offers specific feedback…
Confidentiality is an important concept in the Bible. While the Bible does not explicitly use the word “confidentiality,” it does address principles related to keeping information private and protecting confidential matters. There are several passages in the Bible that encourage discretion and warn against gossip, slander, and revealing secrets. Proverbs 11:13 says, “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.” This verse promotes keeping confidences rather than spreading information that could harm others. Proverbs 20:19 gives a similar warning: “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a…
Prayer is one of the most fundamental aspects of the Christian faith. Christians are called to pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17), to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and to devote themselves to prayer (Colossians 4:2). But what exactly is prayer and how does it work according to the Bible? Here is an overview of what the Scriptures teach about prayer. What is Prayer? At its most basic, prayer is simply communicating with God. It is talking to God and listening to Him. Prayer includes praising God, thanking Him, confessing sins, asking for forgiveness, interceding for others, and bringing requests…
Trials and tribulations are a common part of the human experience. As Christians, we can find comfort, wisdom, and guidance in God’s Word when we face difficulties. The Bible contains many passages that speak to God’s presence and purpose in our trials. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses about trials: 1. Romans 5:3-5 – Trials produce perseverance and character “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into…