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 […]
Did Jesus curse the lazy and unproductive?
I guess you are asking this question based on Matthew 25:14-30 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He […]
Is thorough theological knowledge essential to baptism and salvation? Does this exclude the severely disabled and very young?
This is a question about who will be saved. John 5:22 says God has given all judgment to the Son. Therefore we should be cautious not to pre-empt the judgment of Christ or attempt to usurp his authority by making judgments on his behalf. The most we can do is examine the scriptures for the […]
If the Law was added because of transgression (Gal. 3:19) and sin is transgression of the law (1 John 3:4), then what were people disobedient to before the Law?
They were disobedient to God. There is a thread running through the pre-Mosaic law period, making it apparent that God’s laws and ways were known to at least some of the ancients. Consider some of the examples: Adam and Eve knew right from wrong after they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good […]
When or how do you become a guardian angel?
Angels are mentioned many times in both the Old and New Testaments (296 times according to my computer search). They are an important way that God achieves his purposes. The reason why it is believed that each person has guardian angels is: Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. […]