Early Christians after the 1st century AD typically understood the devil/satan as a supernatural evil being, either a fallen angel or a demon. However, some early Jewish interpreters held a very different view. The famous 18th century Baptist commentator John Gill acknowledged that early Jewish teachers interpreted ‘satan’ as a reference to the natural inclination […]
Are there any accounts of the beliefs of the ancient Christians about the millennial reign of Christ over the earth?
A significant number of early Christians believed in a literal millennial reign of Christ on the earth (numbers below are dates AD): 115: Papias 110-165: Justin Martyr 185: Irenaeus c. 163: Aviricius Marcellus 190: Tertullian c.194: Clement 200: Hippolytus 280: Methodius 280: Nepos 300: Victorinus 305: Commodianus 306: Lactantius c. 347: Cyril c. 350: Aphrahat […]
Is the devil a part of God’s creation?
If the devil were an enormously powerful supernatural being which tormented the wicked in hell, then it would be very difficult indeed to explain why God would create such a being. However the Bible does not teach that the devil is a supernatural being, or that it torments the wicked in hell. The Bible nowhere […]
Do we have to be baptised to enter the kingdom of God?
Belief in the gospel, repentance from sin, and baptism (by full immersion) into Christ, are all part of the process of salvation: Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, John 3:23, Acts 2:38; 10:47; 16:31-33; 22:16; Romans 6:1-6, Galatians 3:27-29, Colossians 2:12, Ephesians 4:5, 1 Peter 3:21. We are called on to be baptized as a public demonstration of […]
Where do we go after we die?
When we die, we go to the grave. People and animals both have a ‘breath of life’ which belongs to God, and returns to him at death, while the person or animal goes to the grave: Genesis 2:7; 7:21-22; Job 34:14-15; Ecclesiastes 3:19-20. No one went to heaven at death: John 3:13; Acts 2:29, 34-35. […]
What are the seven deadly sins?
Traditionally the seven deadly sins are: Lust Gluttony Avarice Sloth Anger Envy Pride The list was developed over time from the 4th to the 6th century AD. The list is not found directly in the Bible; lists of “deadly sins” are generally much longer in the Bible — see, for example, the following lists of […]
Who in the Bible was born in a washpot?
The only place that “washpot” is mentioned in the Bible is in Psalm 60:8 (and repeated in Psalm 108:9): Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me. (Psalm 60:8 KJV) Moab is my washbasin, upon Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in […]
Which ten tribes were ruled by Jeroboam?
The problem is that in 1 Kings 11, Jeroboam is told he will receive 10 tribes, with 2 remaining with Rehoboam. But the territory of the tribe of Simeon was entirely within the tribe of Judah, so how did Jeroboam get 10 ‘pieces’ if Judah, Benjamin and Simeon remained with Rehoboam? Well, one of the most […]
What is the difference between faith and hope?
Well, Hebrews 11:1 says Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. So, faith is the next step up from hope: being really sure. You can certainly hope for things without being sure they will come to pass, but having faith means being sure. (Bit […]
How many souls did the death of Jesus pay for?
Well, all of them — as many as believe in him. See 1 Tim 2:5-6: For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. Like all uses of the word “all”, the question […]