We are not told how the serpent could talk so we can only speculate, but here are some ideas: The serpent is described as being “more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made” (Gen 3:1). This may indicate a higher level of intellect than normal animals. So one […]
When can one be considered righteous?
The simple answer is, when God considers us righteous. When does God consider us righteous? To answer this question, I’d like to briefly look at a few examples of righteous people. Firstly, Abraham, the friend of God, is an excellent example. God made a seemingly impossible promise to Abraham and Abraham believed God. We read […]
How was Jesus able to hear people’s thoughts? (Luke 5:21-23)
There are numerous examples in the Bible of people doing wonderful things, including knowing things that they could not know by themselves. For example, Ahijah knew the king’s wife, even though she was disguised and he was blind (1 Kings 14:6). Daniel knew what Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed, even without being told (Dan 2:30). Peter knew […]
What is meant by “vowing a vow” (Numbers 30)?
If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. (Numbers 30:2) When used as a noun, a vow is a promise. When used as a verb, vow means to promise […]
What did Jesus mean when he said “some who are standing will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God come with power”? (Luke 9:27)
The next two verses are helpful: 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” 28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 […]
Why did the children of Israel take so long to reach Mt. Horeb?
It took them several weeks. Exodus 16:1 They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. Exodus 17:6 Behold, I […]
Please explain John 17:5 “glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed (John 17:5) This verse is part of much longer prayer of Jesus from the night of the Last Supper. His prayer covers a range of topics, including both his immediate disciples and future generations […]
What is the difference between the temples of Solomon, Hezekiah, Zerubbabel and Herod?
Originally, Israel did not have a temple. Instead, they had a tent (called the tabernacle in some versions of the Bible) which was the centre of their worship and the place where God was said to dwell (Exodus 25:8-9). King David wanted to build a temple but God said that his son Solomon would build […]
When speaking in tongues, do we know what we are saying?
What is speaking in tongues? The speaker utters incoherent sounds whilst in an ecstatic state, often encouraged by emotional repetitious music and chanting. Usually this is believed to be an expression of a Holy Spirit gift. “Glossolalia”, as this is called, has also been experienced by people who have no claim to be Christian, both […]
Can women be ordain as pastors?
We see in Scripture the very prominent role that women played. Looking at the New Testament, we see women providing for Jesus out of their means, going out to deal with Jesus’ body after his crucifixion, labouring in the work of the gospel, helping with the teaching of the gospel, serving in the church and […]