The ancient city of Petra, located in modern-day Jordan, is an important location mentioned several times in the Bible. Though not as prominent as places like Jerusalem or Bethlehem, Petra still played a notable role in biblical events and prophecy. Here are some of the key ways the city of Petra factors into the biblical narrative: 1. Petra was the capital of Edom In the Old Testament, Edom was another name used to refer to the Edomites, who were the descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:1). The Edomites settled in the area south of the Dead Sea, which happened to include…
Author: Nicole Sands
Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” This verse encourages believers to focus their thoughts and priorities on the eternal kingdom of God rather than the temporary things of this world. To understand this verse fully, it’s important to look at the broader context of Colossians chapter 3. In the preceding verses, Paul reminds the Colossian believers that they have died with Christ to their old sinful nature and have been raised to new life with Him (Colossians 3:1, 3). Because they now have new spiritual life in Christ, they should seek after the…
The story of God using a lying spirit to deceive Ahab is found in 1 Kings 22. Here’s a quick summary: Ahab was the evil king of Israel who promoted idolatry and opposed God’s prophets. He joined forces with Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, to go to war against Aram. Before going to battle, Jehoshaphat asked that they seek God’s counsel. Ahab gathered 400 false prophets who all told him to go to war, promising victory. Jehoshaphat was unsatisfied and asked if there was a prophet of the Lord they could inquire of. Ahab admitted there was one more, Micaiah,…
The Dead Sea, also known as the Salt Sea, is an important geographical location mentioned many times throughout the Bible. Located between Israel, Jordan, and Palestine, this salt lake has biblical significance due to events that took place on its shores and references made by prophets and biblical figures. Some key points about the importance of the Dead Sea in the Bible include: It was part of the border of the Promised Land given to the Israelites by God (Numbers 34:3, Joshua 15:2) Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt near the Dead Sea as they fled Sodom…
Fornication, which is sexual intercourse between two people who are not married to each other, is repeatedly condemned in the Bible. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages about fornication: Old Testament Verses About Fornication In the Old Testament law given to Israel, God commanded that there must be no sexual intercourse outside of marriage: “You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14) “If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.” (Leviticus 20:10) God warned Israel not to prostitute themselves by having sexual relations…
Isaiah was one of the major prophets in the Old Testament. He lived in the 8th century BC and his ministry spanned over 40 years under the kings of Judah – Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah (Isaiah 1:1). Isaiah’s name means “Yahweh is salvation” which summarizes his message that judgment and exile were coming, but God would restore and redeem his people. Isaiah prophesied to the people of Judah at a time when the nation faced threats from foreign powers like Assyria and Egypt. His message called the people to repentance and faithfulness to God. But he also looked ahead…
Betrayal is a painful experience that many people face at some point in their lives. Whether it’s betrayal by a friend, family member, or romantic partner, the Bible has a lot to say about this difficult topic. Here are some key Bible verses about betrayal: Psalms 55:12-14 – Betrayal by a close friend For it is not an enemy who taunts me—then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel…
The topic of being re-baptized can be confusing for many Christians. Some believe that since baptism is a one-time event, there is no need to ever be baptized again. Others feel a longing to renew their baptismal vows as a way to recommit themselves to Christ. What does the Bible say about this issue? Let’s explore it in-depth. The Meaning and Importance of Baptism First, it is helpful to understand what baptism signifies. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward spiritual transformation. When someone repents of their sins and places their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, they become…
Jerusalem is one of the oldest and most fought over cities in the world. As the spiritual center of Judaism and home to important sites like the Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout its long history. According to the Bible, Jerusalem was destroyed at least twice, besieged over 20 times, attacked more than 50 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times. Here is an overview of the major destructions and rebuildings of Jerusalem based on accounts in the Bible. 1. Destruction by Babylonians in 587 BC The first destruction…
Apostolic doctrine refers to the teachings of the apostles of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament. The apostles were the original disciples of Jesus who were commissioned by Him to spread the gospel after His resurrection and ascension. The apostles preached the good news of salvation through faith in Christ, planted churches, and wrote letters to instruct believers in sound doctrine. Some key elements of apostolic doctrine include: The Gospel The central message of the apostles was the gospel, or good news, of Jesus Christ. They taught that Jesus is the divine Son of God who died on…