The modern perception of prayer often presents it as a one-way street: a list of requests addressed to God. However, a deeper look at its Hebraic context and Jesus’s teachings reveals a more intimate and conversational interaction. This raises profound questions for believers: Does the world need our prayers? If every Christian stopped praying, would the world fall apart? This […]
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Understanding our Old Covenant heritage is crucial for grasping the identity and purpose of Christianity, which, despite appearing as a new religion, is deeply rooted in its Jewish origins. The question remains: did God envision a church without Israel? As we explore the connection between Christianity and its Jewish roots, it’s essential to examine what Jesus came to do and […]
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Have you ever wondered what happens when we die? Many Christians take comfort in the idea that loved ones go to be with the Lord in Heaven. But what does the Bible really say? Let’s Take a Closer Look Solomon’s wisdom in Ecclesiastes 3:19-20 sheds light on death: “We’re all made of dust, and to dust we’ll return.” And “The […]
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Divorce can be one of the most painful experiences a person can endure. Our Heavenly Father hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) and desires to protect every marriage. However, human nature and circumstances can hinder a happy marriage, leading to divorce. Even God Himself divorced Israel (Jeremiah 3:8), and many people find themselves divorced despite not choosing or deserving it. Marriage was […]
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How Does Being Rich or Poor Influence Our Eternal Destination? Jesus describes a scenario in Luke 16:19-31 that is often used as strong evidence for eternal torture and paradise. However, there is more to this parable than initially meets the eye. Is this a true story, or is it a teaching tool, since Jesus mentions the beggar by name – […]
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The Refining Fire of God: Purifying Faith and Works In Matthew 3:7-12, John the Baptist confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees, emphasizing the need for genuine repentance. He warned that true faith produces lasting fruit, while false faith yields worthless chaff. John’s message highlights the refining fire of God, which purifies believers’ lives and works. Is John referring to people or […]
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Rethinking Jesus’ Teaching on Taxes For centuries, Christians have interpreted Jesus’ response in Matthew 22:21, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” (AMP), as an endorsement of paying taxes. However, this interpretation overlooks the historical context and Jesus’ subtle yet powerful message. In 6 AD, Rome imposed a census tax on […]
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Armour of God – Roman or Priestly? The Armor of God: Uncovering the Priestly Truth Behind the Biblical Armor Introduction The passage in Ephesians 6:10-18 emphasizes the vital need to tap into God’s immense power and strength to resist evil. It’s not about our ability to put on the armor, but rather understanding and utilizing it as God intended. The […]
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The Scripture teaches that death is not the end of existence, but rather a transition to everlasting life (John 11:25-26). The Bible says that the soul of humans can exist forever, raising questions about immortality. If humans are going to live forever, does this mean they are immortal, and if so, were they born immortal? Is immortality the same as […]
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Is baptism the new covenant equivalent of circumcision? Baptism, a practice used by John the Baptist, has its roots in Jewish tradition, not Christian innovation. In fact, Jews practiced baptism (or mikvah) as an act of purification or completion long before the coming of the Messiah. The origins of baptism can be found in Leviticus, where Levite priests underwent symbolic […]
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Understanding Our Relationship with the Law As followers of Jesus, it’s essential to understand our relationship with the law. Romans 6:14 states, “For sin will no longer be a master over you, since you are not under Law [as slaves], but under [unmerited] grace [as recipients of God’s favor and mercy]” (AMP). This verse is often misinterpreted to mean that […]
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Differences in major christian bibles The Different Faces of the Christian Bible As Christians, many of us assume that the Bible is a single, unified text. However, few realize that various Christian denominations have distinct versions of the Bible. While the majority of the books are shared, the differences are noteworthy. – Catholic Bible: 73 books, including 7 deuterocanonical books […]
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The Flaws of Replacement Theology: A Biblical Examination Replacement Theology, also known as Supersessionism, is a doctrine that posits God’s covenant with Israel has been revoked due to their rejection of Jesus Christ, and the church has replaced Israel as God’s people. However, this doctrine contradicts the biblical revelation of the Abrahamic Covenant as an everlasting covenant with Israel (Genesis […]
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The Role of Angels: Understanding Their Ministry and Our Relationship with Them Angels are often misunderstood as being at our beck and call, ready to obey our every command. However, a closer examination of Scripture reveals a different reality. Hebrews 1:14 describes angels as “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation,” but nowhere […]
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In Matthew 4:18-22 and Mark 2:13-14, we see Jesus calling His first disciples, including Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Matthew. But what was really happening in these encounters? How can two simple words like: “Follow Me” drive men to abandon everything? To understand, we need to delve into the world of first-century Judaism and the concept of rabbinic discipleship. […]
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The Ten Lost Tribes of Israel refer to the ten tribes that, under Joshua’s leadership, conquered Canaan, the Promised Land, after Moses’ death. These tribes were Asher, Dan, Ephraim, Gad, Issachar, Manasseh, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, and Zebulun, all descendants of Jacob. In contrast, the House of Judah consisted of Judah, Benjamin, and parts of other tribes like Levi and Simeon […]
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The term ‘Jew‘ originates from the name Judah, one of the twelve tribes of ancient Israel. The first biblical usage of the term appears in 2 Kings 16:6. According to Genesis, Judah (Yehudah) was the fourth son of Jacob, and his descendants formed the Tribe of Judah during the Exodus. Initially, the name Judah referred to the tribe and its […]
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After their miraculous rescue from Egypt, God’s people embarked on a journey through the wilderness to Mount Sinai, where they would meet with God and enter into a covenant relationship with Him. This covenant was akin to a marriage, with God becoming their Husband (Isaiah 54:5, Jeremiah 31:32). At its core, the Bible story is a love story. At Mount […]
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בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ׃ Bereshit bara’ ‘Elohim et(את) hassamayim v’et(ךאת) haaretzBeginning create(shape) GOD AlephTav heavens(sky, 2nd water) VavAlephTav earth(land) וְהָאָ֗רֶץ הָיְתָ֥ה תֹ֙הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ וְחֹ֖שֶׁךְ עַל־פְּנֵ֣יתְהֹ֑ום וְר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֔ים מְרַחֶ֖פֶת עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַמָּֽיִם׃ ‘Erets hayetah tohuw tavohuw vechoshek al penei tehom veRuach‘Elohiym merachefet ‘al penei hamayimEarth(land) formless(confusion) emptiness(void) darkness(obscurity) upon(over)face(presence) deep(grave) Spirit(breath) GOD hover(grow soft, relax) upon(over)face(presence) water(urine, violence) וַיֹּ֥אמֶר […]
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When churches discuss money, they often quote Malachi 3:8-12, emphasizing the importance of giving 10% of one’s income to the place of worship. However, what does the Bible truly teach about tithing? Let’s delve into Malachi 3:10 and explore the concepts of “all the tithes” and the “storehouse.“ In Malachi 3:10, God instructs, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, […]
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In Micah 4:8, the prophet speaks of the “tower of the flock” and the “hill of the daughter of Zion,” referring to Bethlehem, where Jacob buried Rachel “beyond the tower of Eder” (Genesis 35:19-21). This same area, known as the Shepherd’s Field, was where Ruth and Boaz gleaned wheat and married (Ruth 4:11-13), and King David was born and crowned […]
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For centuries, the traditional location of Mount Sinai has been widely accepted as being in the Sinai Peninsula. However, this notion is based on tradition and dreams attributed to Constantine and his mother, rather than concrete biblical evidence. A closer examination of the Old Testament reveals a different story. In Exodus 19:1, we learn that Israel arrived in the Sinai […]
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Genesis 46:8-27 lists the descendants of Jacob who journeyed to Egypt, including all his grandchildren. However, this presents a challenge when calculating the duration of Israel’s stay in Egypt. The lifespans of Levi, Kehath, Amram, and Moses total only 350 years, leaving a 80-year gap in the supposed 430-year sojourn mentioned in Gen 15:13, Ex 12:40 & Acts 7:6. The […]
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As European descendants, we are accustomed to thinking in terms of form and structure, often focusing on physical appearance and literal interpretations. However, this mindset can limit our understanding of biblical texts, which were written from a Hebrew perspective that emphasizes function and purpose. In this article, we will explore the difference between form and function thinking, and how adopting […]
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In John 8:1-11, Jesus faces a trap set by the Pharisees and Scribes, who bring a woman caught in adultery to test His allegiance to the Law of Moses. However, Jesus’ response, writing on the ground with His finger, has puzzled scholars for centuries. What did He write, and why? The Context: A Setup for Entrapment The Pharisees and Scribes, […]
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