The question of whether Jesus claimed to be God is important because it goes to the very heart of who Jesus is. If Jesus did claim to be God, then this would have enormous implications for how we should respond to Him. So what exactly did Jesus say about His own identity and His relationship with God the Father? While Jesus did not go around explicitly stating “I am God,” He made several claims that clearly indicate He considered Himself divine and equal with God the Father. Let’s look at some of the key claims Jesus made: 1. Jesus claimed…
Author: Tim Collings
The question of whether God wants us to be happy is an important one for many Christians. At first glance, it may seem obvious that the answer is yes – after all, God loves us and wants what is best for us. However, a deeper look at Scripture reveals a more nuanced perspective. First, it’s important to define what we mean by “happy.” If by happiness we mean a feeling of pleasure, comfort, and ease, then no, this is not necessarily what God desires most for us. The Bible warns against pursuing worldly pleasures and living for our own comfort…
The Gospel of Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and one of the three Synoptic Gospels. It tells the story of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Matthew was one of the 12 disciples and his gospel was likely written between AD 50-70 for a Jewish Christian audience. Here is a summary of the key events and teachings covered in the 28 chapters of Matthew: Chapter 1 – Genealogy, Birth of Jesus Matthew begins with a genealogy tracing Jesus’ lineage from Abraham to King David to Joseph. It establishes Jesus as a descendant of…
Soul winning is the act of sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ with others, with the goal of leading them to salvation. For Christians, it is considered an important calling and responsibility. However, it can also seem daunting, and many believers struggle to feel motivated to regularly engage in evangelism and outreach. Fortunately, the Bible offers much wisdom and encouragement on this topic. Here are some biblical keys to becoming more motivated for soul winning: Pray for God to Give You His Heart for the Lost We should start by asking God to soften our own hearts and open…
The question of whether God is logical ultimately comes down to how we define “logical.” Logic typically refers to principles of reasoning and inference that allow us to draw conclusions from certain premises. When examined through this lens, there are good arguments on both sides of the debate about God’s logical nature. On one hand, some argue that God transcends human logic and cannot be judged or evaluated by it. As the ultimate power and source of existence, God is not constrained by the rules of logic that govern the physical universe He created. From this perspective, applying logic to…
The Revised Standard Version (RSV) is an English translation of the Bible that was published in stages between 1946 and 1971. The RSV is a revision of the American Standard Version (ASV) that was published in 1901. The RSV sought to update the ASV by incorporating new manuscript discoveries and advances in Biblical scholarship since the late 19th century. The RSV was intended to be a readable, accurate, and ecumenical translation suitable for both public and private use among English-speaking Christians. The translation work for the RSV was done by a committee of about 30 biblical scholars from various Protestant…
Truth is a central theme in the Bible. God is the source of all truth, and His Word reveals absolute truth to humanity. Throughout Scripture, God commands His people to seek truth, speak truth, and live in truth. Here are some key Bible verses about truth: God’s Word is Truth “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17) Jesus equates God’s Word with truth in His prayer for His disciples. God’s Word reveals objective spiritual and moral truth that sanctifies believers. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and…
Jael was a woman mentioned in the Book of Judges in the Old Testament. She played an important role in the victory of the Israelites over the Canaanites. Here is an overview of who Jael was and what her story teaches us: Jael’s Family Background Jael was the wife of Heber the Kenite (Judges 4:17). The Kenites were a nomadic tribe that originally descended from Midian. Moses’ father-in-law Jethro was a Kenite (Judges 1:16). Although the Kenites were not ethnically Israelites, they allied themselves with the Israelites during the time of the judges. Heber had separated from the rest of…
Balaam is a fascinating and complex character that appears in the Old Testament book of Numbers. He was a non-Israelite prophet who lived during the time of Moses and the Exodus. Though not an Israelite, Balaam had a unique relationship with the God of Israel and was used by God in some important ways. Here is an overview of the key things the Bible reveals about Balaam: Balaam was a prophet from Pethor The first time Balaam is mentioned is in Numbers 22:5, which states that he lived in Pethor, which was near the Euphrates River (likely in Mesopotamia). Though…
Repentance is a major theme throughout the Bible. Both the Old and New Testaments repeatedly call people to turn from their sins and turn back to God. Here are some key Bible verses about the importance of repenting: Old Testament Verses on Repentance In the Old Testament, the prophets repeatedly called Israel to repent and turn back to God. Here are some examples: Ezekiel 18:30-32 – “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from…