In the Bible, a prophet is someone who speaks on behalf of God. The word “prophet” comes from the Greek word prophetes, which means “one who speaks forth” or “advocate.” Prophets are messengers through whom God reveals his purposes and will. They serve as intermediaries between God and humanity. The role of a prophet is to deliver messages from God to people. These messages typically involve calling people to repentance, warning of coming judgment, and delivering words of hope and comfort. Prophets often performed symbolic acts as part of their prophetic ministry. They also interceded for people through prayer. Prophets…
Author: Tim Collings
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul discusses spiritual gifts and how they are given by God for the common good of the church. He emphasizes unity within diversity, as all the parts of the body work together despite their differences. At the end of the chapter, Paul says “And yet I will show you the most excellent way” (1 Cor 12:31 ESV). This introduces chapter 13 on love. So what is this “more excellent way” that Paul refers to? Based on the context, it seems clear he is pointing to love as a still more excellent way to pursue than spiritual…
God desires a personal relationship with each one of us. As our Creator, He longs for us to know Him and walk in fellowship with Him. The Bible reveals many ways we can pursue an intimate connection with God and fulfill His desires for our lives. God wants us to trust and believe in Jesus Christ Most importantly, God wants us to believe in the salvation offered through His Son Jesus. John 3:16 explains, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Our faith…
Matthew Henry (18 October 1662 – 22 June 1714) was an English commentator on the Bible, who published his works in 1706, (six-volume Exposition of the Old and New Testaments (1708–1710) or Complete Commentary), provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the Bible, covering the whole of the Old Testament, and the Gospels and Acts in the New Testament. The Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible provides an exhaustive and in-depth verse-by-verse study of all 66 books of the Bible. Henry’s work is regarded as one of the best overall commentaries an ordinary Bible reader can have alongside…
Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This verse comes in the midst of Paul’s teaching on how Christians should live in light of God’s mercy. In Romans 12, Paul urges believers to live sacrificially, serve humbly, love sincerely, and bless their enemies. This countercultural way of life displays the transforming power of the gospel. So why does Paul warn Christians not to be “overcome by evil”? Understanding the meaning and context of this verse will help us apply it faithfully. 1. The danger of being overcome by evil First, Romans 12:21 implies…
The story of Israelites buying dove droppings in 2 Kings 6:25 provides insight into a desperate time in Israel’s history. To fully understand this unusual purchase, we must examine the context, the significance of the price paid, and what it reveals about the spiritual state of Israel at that time. The Historical Context 2 Kings 6 opens during the reign of King Jehoram of Israel. The king of Aram was waging war against Israel (v.8). God repeatedly revealed the Aramean army’s plans to Elisha, allowing the Israelites to evade capture (vv.9-10). Frustrated, the Aramean king sent a great army to…
Who was King Omri in the Bible? King Omri was the sixth king of the northern kingdom of Israel. He reigned from around 885-874 BC. Omri is mentioned several times in the Bible, primarily in 1 Kings 16 and Micah 6. Here is a summary of the key facts about King Omri according to the Bible: – Omri was initially the commander of the army under King Elah. When Elah was assassinated by Zimri, Omri led the army to attack Zimri and take the throne for himself (1 Kings 16:16-18). – Omri ruled over Israel for 12 years in the…
The concept of “asking Jesus into your heart” is commonly used in evangelical Christian circles as part of the plan of salvation. However, this exact phrase does not appear in Scripture verbatim. The question then arises – is the notion of “asking Jesus into your heart” theologically sound and biblical? To properly assess this topic, we must first understand what is meant by “asking Jesus into your heart.” This phrase is essentially referring to consciously and intentionally placing one’s faith in Christ for salvation. It represents the personal decision to repent of sin, believe the gospel, and receive Christ as…
Throughout history, many Christians have been persecuted and even martyred for their faith. Their stories can teach us important lessons about what it means to truly follow Jesus Christ. Faithfulness to the Point of Death One of the most striking things about Christian martyrs is their willingness to suffer and die rather than renounce their faith in Christ. For example, Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, was burned at the stake in 155 AD after refusing to recant his belief in Jesus. As the flames surrounded him, Polycarp said, “For eighty-six years I have served him, and he has done me no…
The question of whether God is a person is an important one that has been pondered by theologians and philosophers for centuries. At the heart of this question is seeking to understand the nature and attributes of God as described in the Bible. Scripture reveals much about who God is, though finite human minds can never fully comprehend the infinite Creator. However, through careful study of the biblical text, we can gain insight into how God has chosen to reveal Himself. When considering if God is a person, it is helpful to first define what we mean by “person.” In…
