Paul’s writings were instructions/guidelines/commands for the times and for now. We know from 2 Tim 3:16-17 that All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. Paul’s writings are Scripture, therefore […]
Is there anywhere in the Bible where speaking in tongues is not just speaking a human language?
Speaking in tongues is mentioned in several passages in the New Testament: Mark 16:17; Acts 2:1-13; 10:44-46; 19:6; 1 Cor 12-14. It is important to understand that the Greek word for “tongue” was the same word used for “language”, so “speaking in tongues” means “speaking in languages”. Most of the incidents in the New Testament […]
What happens if Jesus returns before I am baptised but I am on the path to getting baptised?
The simple answer is we don’t know. Consider this verse from Mark 16:16: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” It is clear what will happen to those who believe and are baptised. It is also clear what will happen to those who don’t believe, whether […]
Who is an apostle? Is Paul an apostle?
The word apostle (Greek: apostolos) derives from the verb “to send” (Greek: apostello). It carries the sense of someone being sent for a purpose, and is probably used in the New Testament to refer to those sent by God for a specific purpose. Those called “apostle” includes the Twelve (Mark 6:30), James the brother of […]
Where did Jairus live?
We can not be certain where Jairus lived. In Luke 7:1, Jesus enters Capernaum, and the next day he goes to Nain (v11). Later on in Luke 8:22 he crosses the Sea of Galilee to the country of the Gadarenes (v26) and then later “returned”, which is where he meets Jairus (v40-41). So it is […]
If God said two people were not meant to be together, can prayer and a change in how you live change his mind?
You may be approaching this issue from the wrong angle. If you sincerely believe that God has directed these two people not to be together, then why would you want to change his mind? Surely God knows what is best for these two people. It may be worth asking why you feel God is directing […]
In Ezekiel 37:24, why does it say David will be king?
The future king of Israel is here named “David” reflecting God’s promise that an heir of David will rule over Israel (cf. Jer 33:17; Luke 1:32). The prophecy is not about David himself, but about his heir, the future king of Israel — that is Jesus.
Which numbers in the Bible are literal and which aren’t?
The only way to tell the difference between literal and figurative is context. For example, when we find something in a historical book, like the book of Kings, then it is likely to be literal. When we find something in a poetic book, like Psalms, then it is likely to be figurative. However, even then […]
Why are there so many religions and so many conflicting subsections within them?
The simple answer is that there are so many different religions because they are run by humans. Humans are fallible, so not everyone will arrive at the same conclusions. If we believe that God allows us the freedom to choose for ourselves then it is inevitable that there will be many different views about God […]
Why the addition of the Pericope Adulterae into John 7-8?
The story of the woman caught in adultery (John 7:53-8:11) is not included in some of the earliest manuscripts. It was included by Jerome in his translation of the NT and so was in place c.380, if not earlier. If this section was not originally part of John’s gospel, is it an authentic testimony about […]