That’s not in the Bible, but it is contained in some ancient texts. There is a tradition reported in the Martyrdom of Isaiah (a Christian text from around AD100 which expands on 2 Kings 21) that Isaiah was condemned to death by King Manasseh. Although he hid in a tree, he was found and the tree with […]
Should the Gospel of Thomas be included in the Bible?
No. The Gospel of Thomas is not an accurate, genuine, inspired, trustworthy, or reliable record about the Lord Jesus. There are several pieces of evidence that demonstrate this: 1. Although the Gospel of Thomas uses themes and characters, etc., found in the Biblical texts, it also shares elements – themes, motifs, expressions and concerns – […]
Is it a sin to be in debt?
There is only one place where the Bible says we shouldn’t owe anything: Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for […]
What does God say about war?
War in the Old Testament God commanded the Israelites to go to war and capture the Promised Land he had given them. He punished them when they refused to go to war (Numbers 32:6 – 15). Some nations were left in the Promised Land rather than being completely defeated so that future generations would have […]
Did King Nebuchadnezzar have children and was his daughter named Fenena as appears in the Opera Nabucco by Verdi?
We know of two children of Nebuchadnezzar: a son, Amel Marduk (known as Evil-Merodach in 2 Kings 25:27), and a daughter Nitocris. Fenena was an imaginary person in Verdi’s opera. In fact the only historical character in the opera is Nebuchadnezzar himself, although he is called Nabucco.
Why did the Jews constantly and so easily fall away from God and serve the gods of other nations?
They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they have not known my ways. Psalm 95:10 God uses these words to describe the behaviour of the nation of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness. It shows us the primary reason why they fell away so easily and frequently. If they had […]
What does “Jew” mean in the Bible?
The meaning of the word “Jew” has changed over time, and we need to be careful in applying the meaning from one period to a passage written at a different period. Up until the exile, “Jew” meant somebody from the tribe of Judah. There are hardly any occurrences of this in Scripture; one exception is […]
Why can’t females be apostles and ministers? Can we change that?
“Apostle” means an ambassador or messenger. In the New Testament it is only used of a select few ambassadors for Christ. Jesus chose the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:2-4). When Judas died, he was replaced by Matthias (Acts 1:26). The only other people to be called an “apostle” in scripture are Paul (Romans 1:1), Jesus (Hebrews […]
What does “Gentile” mean?
In English, “Gentile” usually refers to a person from a nation other than Israel (although some people use it to refer to people of a different religion to themselves). Because the Bible is a translation from other languages, and because it was written over a long period of time, when the word “Gentile” occurs in […]
Will the Sabbath be kept in the kingdom of God?
There are a few prophetic Bible passages that indicate Sabbaths and Feasts could be kept in the kingdom of God (Isaiah 66:23, Ezekiel 44:24, Zechariah 14:16). One purpose of a Sabbath is to provide rest from physical work. It may continue to perform this function; as work is done in the Kingdom age (Isaiah 65:21-23). […]