The question of whether God makes mistakes is an important one for many believers. At first glance, it may seem obvious that the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator does not err. However, a deeper look at Scripture reveals a more nuanced perspective. On the one hand, the Bible clearly teaches that God is perfect and his plans cannot be thwarted. Numbers 23:19 declares, “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” This…
Author: Mike Solis
The Journey to the Cross Bible reading plan is a great way to focus on and understand the deeper meaning behind Jesus’ sacrifice during the Easter season. This plan takes you through key Scripture passages in the Gospels that highlight different aspects of Jesus’ final days leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection. The plan starts in Matthew 21 with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem when he is hailed by the crowds as the Messiah. But soon the religious leaders begin plotting against Jesus and challenging his authority. The plan continues through chapters in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John that…
The Bible does not give a complete, definitive description of what God looks like. However, through various passages and stories, we can glean some insight into how God has chosen to reveal Himself visually to people at times. It’s important to remember that God is spirit (John 4:24), and therefore does not have a physical body in the way humans do. However, He is able to take on visible form to communicate with people. God Appears in Human Form There are several instances in the Old Testament where God appears in human form, though the Bible is clear these were…
The statement that Jesus is “God with us” comes from the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 which says “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Immanuel means “God with us.” This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus was born of the virgin Mary as recorded in Matthew 1:23 – “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” So Jesus being called Immanuel, or “God with us,” means that in His incarnation, Jesus…
God’s love is a core aspect of His nature that is demonstrated throughout Scripture. The Bible tells us that “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and His love is described with words like patient, kind, unselfish, forgiving, and enduring. Understanding the meaning of “God is love” is crucial to having a right relationship with Him. Here are 9000 words exploring the biblical evidence of God’s love and what it means for our lives today: The Bible makes clear statements that God is the very definition of love. 1 John 4:8 states plainly that “…God is love.” This means that love…
The Samaritans are an ethnoreligious group that originated from the Israelites of the Ancient Near East. They are named after and derive their religious tradition from the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Samaritans trace their lineage to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, two of the original Twelve Tribes of Israel that Joshua led into the Promised Land after the Exodus from Egypt as recorded in the Bible. The Samaritans are mentioned several times in the New Testament, most notably in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In this parable told by Jesus Christ, a man is beaten, robbed and left…
YHWH is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. It is comprised of four Hebrew letters – Yod He Vav He – and is considered by Jews to be the holiest name of God. The name YHWH first appears in Genesis 2:4 and is used over 6,800 times throughout the Hebrew scriptures. However, out of reverence, observant Jews do not pronounce or write this name, substituting the word Adonai (meaning “Lord”) instead. The meaning and etymology of the name YHWH is not entirely clear, though various interpretations have been offered by scholars over the years. The name may…
The question of why God commanded the Israelites to completely destroy the Canaanite people groups is a difficult one that has troubled both believers and critics of the Bible. At first glance, it seems contrary to God’s character of love and mercy. However, a closer examination of Scripture reveals several reasons that help explain this command: 1. Judgment for Sin The primary reason God ordered the destruction of the Canaanites was as judgment for their grievous sin. The Bible indicates that the sin of the Canaanites had reached extraordinary depths of depravity: And the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom…
This is an important theological question that has been debated throughout history. The Bible teaches that God is all-powerful, sovereign over everything, and able to accomplish all His holy will. However, there are some things that God cannot do because they are contrary to His nature and attributes. God Cannot Lie The Bible says that God is truth (John 14:6) and that it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18). Lying and deception go against God’s moral perfection and commitment to truth. Therefore, even though God has the power to do anything, He cannot defy His own nature by…
The Book of Revelation in the Bible contains prophecies about events leading up to the second coming of Jesus Christ. One of the mysterious figures described in Revelation is a “beast” that rises out of the sea and is given power and authority by the dragon, who is identified as Satan (Revelation 13:1-2). This beast is a major player in the events preceding Christ’s return. There has been much debate over the identity of the beast over the centuries. Here is an overview of some of the main interpretations: A Roman Emperor Many scholars believe the beast refers metaphorically to…