by Got Questions Ministries
http://www.gotquestions.org
Question: "What does the Bible say about depression? How can a Christian overcome depression?"
Answer: Depression is a widespread condition, affecting millions of people, Christians and non-Christians alike. Those suffering from depression can experience intense feelings of sadness, anger, hopelessness, fatigue, and a variety of other symptoms. They may begin to feel useless and even suicidal, losing interest in things and people that they once enjoyed. Depression is often triggered by life circumstances, such as a loss of job, death of a loved one, divorce, or psychological problems such as abuse or low self-esteem.
The Bible tells us to be filled with joy and praise (Philippians 4:4; Romans 15:11), so God apparently intends for us all to live joyful lives. This is not easy for someone suffering from situational depression, but it can be remedied through God's gifts of prayer, Bible study and application, support groups, fellowship among believers, confession, forgiveness, and counseling. We must make the conscious effort to not be absorbed in ourselves, but to turn our efforts outward. Feelings of depression can often be solved when those suffering with depression move the focus from themselves to Christ and others.
Clinical depression is a physical condition that must be diagnosed by a physician. It may not be caused by unfortunate life circumstances, nor can the symptoms be alleviated by one's own will. Contrary to what some in the Christian community believe, clinical depression is not always caused by sin. Depression can sometimes be caused by a physical disorder that needs to be treated with medication and/or counseling. Of course, God is able to cure any disease or disorder. However, in some cases, seeing a doctor for depression is no different than seeing a doctor for an injury.
There are some things that those who suffer from depression can do to alleviate their anxiety. They should make sure that they are staying in the Word, even when they do not feel like it. Emotions can lead us astray, but God's Word stands firm and unchanging. We must maintain strong faith in God and hold even more tightly to Him when we undergo trials and temptations. The Bible tells us that God will never allow temptations into our lives that are too much for us to handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). Although being depressed is not a sin, one is still accountable for the response to the affliction, including getting the professional help that is needed. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess His name” (Hebrews 13:15).
Recommended Resource: How to Win Over Depression by Tim Lahaye.
http://www.gotquestions.org/depression-Christian.html
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Other Got Questions Articles on or Relating to Depression: http://www.gotquestions.org/search.php?zoom_sort=0&zoom_query=depression&search.x=0&search.y=0
© Copyright 2002-2011 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
www.gotquestions.org - Bible Questions Answered
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
11/4/11
10/30/11
F.A.I.T.H.
Using the computerized video format by Xtranormal, I have made a video presenting the Gospel. Watch as "Candace" shares the Gospel to "Sherry."
10/8/11
8/18/11
Dance David Dance!
King David dancing like it's nobody's business. Watch out for the sudden loud record scratch at the end. Music track is an instrumental of Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" and record scratch is by Luffy. New video I made, glory to God! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovYQf2iPBBw
2 Samuel Chapter 6
The Ark Is Brought to Jerusalem
1 David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel—thirty thousand of them. 2 Then he and all his people went to Baalah in Judah[a] to bring back the Ark of God. The Ark is called by the Name, the name of the Lord All-Powerful, whose throne is between the gold creatures with wings.3 They put the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of Abinadab's house on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, led the new cart4 which had the Ark of God on it. Ahio was walking in front of it.5 David and all the Israelites were celebrating in the presence of the Lord. They were playing wooden instruments: lyres, harps, tambourines, rattles, and cymbals.
6 When David's men came to the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled. So Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark of God.7 The Lord was angry with Uzzah and killed him because of what he did. So Uzzah died there beside the Ark of God.8 David was angry because the Lord had killed Uzzah. Now that place is called the Punishment of Uzzah.
9 David was afraid of the Lord that day, and he said, "How can the Ark of the Lord come to me now?"10 So David would not move the Ark of the Lord to be with him in Jerusalem. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom, a man from Gath.11 The Ark of the Lord stayed in Obed-Edom's house for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his family.
12 The people told David, "The Lord has blessed the family of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because the Ark of God is there." So David went and brought it up from Obed-Edom's house to Jerusalem with joy.13 When the men carrying the Ark of the Lord had walked six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fat calf.14 Then David danced with all his might before the Lord. He had on a holy linen vest.15 David and all the Israelites shouted with joy and blew the trumpets as they brought the Ark of the Lord to the city.
16 As the Ark of the Lord came into the city, Saul's daughter Michal looked out the window. When she saw David jumping and dancing in the presence of the Lord, she hated him.
17 David put up a tent for the Ark of the Lord, and then the Israelites put it in its place inside the tent. David offered whole burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord.18 When David finished offering the whole burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord All-Powerful.19 David gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates, and a cake of raisins to every Israelite, both men and women. Then all the people went home.
20 David went back to bless the people in his home, but Saul's daughter Michal came out to meet him. She said, "With what honor the king of Israel acted today! You took off your clothes in front of the servant girls of your officers like one who takes off his clothes without shame!"
21 Then David said to Michal, "I did it in the presence of the Lord. The Lord chose me, not your father or anyone from Saul's family. The Lord appointed me to be over Israel. So I will celebrate in the presence of the Lord.22 Maybe I will lose even more honor, and maybe I will be brought down in my own opinion, but the girls you talk about will honor me!"
23 And Saul's daughter Michal had no children to the day she died.
New Century Version (NCV). The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. http://nelsonbibles.com/
*Everything that is used is purely for personal, non-commercial use.*
8/13/11
How Was The New Testament Put Together?
Dr. Erwin Lutzer explains how the Canon (New Testament) was put together and how Paul's letters were already considered inspired, and included when they were written.
http://erwinlutzer.com/
Origins: Science - The Whole Story
Science: The Whole Story with Dr. Danny Faulkner. Goes into a history of modern science and supports a Christian, Biblical worldview.
http://www.ctvn.org/programs-origins.asp http://www.ctvn.org/originsarchive.asp
There is a wealth of material out there that supports a creationist, Biblical, "Intelligent Design" belief of human history and earth history. There are many scientists and researchers that support a Biblical, creationist, "Intelligent Design" view of human origin and history. Some other recommended resources:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/
http://www.creationevidence.org/
http://creationresearch.org/
http://www.leestrobel.com/
What should we learn from the life of Jeremiah?
Question: "What should we learn from the life of Jeremiah?"
Answer: Jeremiah the prophet lived in the final days of the crumbling nation of Israel. He was, appropriately, the last prophet that God sent to preach to Southern kingdom, which comprised the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. God had repeatedly warned Israel to stop their idolatrous behavior, but they would not listen, so He tore the 12 tribes asunder, sending the 10 Northern tribes into captivity at the hands of the Assyrians. Then God sent Jeremiah to give Judah the last warning before He cast them out of the land, decimating the nation and sending them into captivity in the pagan kingdom of Babylon. Jeremiah, a faithful, God-fearing man, was called to tell Israel that because of their unrepentant sin, their God had turned against them and was now prepared to remove them from the land, at the hands of a pagan king whom He called, “My servant” (Jeremiah 26:7).
No doubt Jeremiah, who was only about 17 when God called him, had great inner turmoil over the fate of his people, and he begged them to listen. He is known as “the weeping prophet,” because he cried tears of sadness, not only because he knew what was about to happen, but because no matter how hard he tried, the people would not listen. Furthermore, he found no human comfort. God had forbidden him to marry or have children (Jeremiah 16:2), and his friends had turned their backs on him. So along with the burden of the knowledge of impending judgment, he also must have felt alone and lonely. God knew that this was the best course for Jeremiah, because He went on to tell him how horrible conditions would be in a short time, with babies, children, and adults dying “grievous” deaths, their bodies unable to even be buried, and their flesh devoured by the birds (Jeremiah 16:3-4).
Obviously, the people of Israel had become so hardened by the numbing effects of sin that they no longer believed God, nor did they fear Him. Jeremiah preached for 40 years, and not once did he see any real success in changing or softening the hearts and minds of his stubborn, idolatrous people. The other prophets of Israel had witnessed some successes, at least for a little while, but not Jeremiah. He was speaking to a brick wall; however, his words were not wasted. They were pearls being cast before swine in a sense, and they were convicting every person who heard them and refused to heed the warning.
Jeremiah tried to make the people understand their problem was a lack of belief, trust, and faith in God, along with an absence of fear which caused them to take Him for granted. It is very easy to be lulled into a false sense of security, especially when the focus is not on God. The nation of Israel, just like many nations today, had stopped putting God first, and had replaced Him with false gods, those that would not make them feel guilty or convict them of sin. God had delivered His people from bondage in Egypt, had performed miracles before them, and had even parted the waters of the sea for them. In spite of all these displays of God’s power, they returned to the false practices they had learned in Egypt, even making vows to the false ‘queen of heaven,’ along with the other rites and rituals that were part of the Egyptian culture and religion. God finally turned them over to their idolatry, saying “Go ahead then, do what you promised! Keep your vows!” (Jeremiah 44:25).
Jeremiah’s constant depression, plus his loneliness and isolation, finally got the best of him and he became discouraged. He sunk into the quagmire where many believers seem to get stuck when they think their efforts are not making a difference and time is ticking away. Jeremiah, just like every other human being, was emotionally spent, even to the point of doubting God (Jeremiah 15:18), but God was not done with him. Jeremiah 15:19 records a lesson for each believer to remember in those times when they feel alone, useless, and discouraged and their faith is wavering: “Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.’” God was saying to Jeremiah, come back to Me, and I will restore to you the joy of your salvation. These are similar to the words penned by David when he repented of his sin with Bathsheba (Psalm 51:12).
What we learn from the life of Jeremiah is the comfort of knowing that, just like every believer, even great prophets of God can experience rejection, depression, and discouragement in their walk with the Lord. This is a normal part of growing spiritually, because our sinful nature fights against our new nature, that which is born of the Spirit of God, according to Galatians 5:17: “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” But just as Jeremiah found, we can know that the faithfulness of our God is infinite; even when we are unfaithful to Him, He remains steadfast (2 Timothy 2:13).
Jeremiah was given the task of delivering an unpopular, convicting message to Israel, one that caused him great mental anguish, as well as making him despised in the eyes of his people. God says that His truth sounds like “foolishness” to those who are lost, but to believers they are the very words of life (1 Corinthians 1:18). He also says that the time will come when people will not tolerate the truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Those in Israel in Jeremiah’s day did not want to hear what he had to say, and his constant warning of judgment annoyed them. This is true of the world today, as believers who are following God’s instructions are warning the lost and dying world of impending judgment (Revelation 3:10). Even though most are not listening, we must persevere in proclaiming truth in order to rescue some from the terrible judgment that will inevitably come.
Recommended Resource: The Great Lives from God's Word Series by Chuck Swindoll.
http://www.gotquestions.org/life-Jeremiah.html
© Copyright 2002-2011 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
www.gotquestions.org - Bible Questions Answered
Answer: Jeremiah the prophet lived in the final days of the crumbling nation of Israel. He was, appropriately, the last prophet that God sent to preach to Southern kingdom, which comprised the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. God had repeatedly warned Israel to stop their idolatrous behavior, but they would not listen, so He tore the 12 tribes asunder, sending the 10 Northern tribes into captivity at the hands of the Assyrians. Then God sent Jeremiah to give Judah the last warning before He cast them out of the land, decimating the nation and sending them into captivity in the pagan kingdom of Babylon. Jeremiah, a faithful, God-fearing man, was called to tell Israel that because of their unrepentant sin, their God had turned against them and was now prepared to remove them from the land, at the hands of a pagan king whom He called, “My servant” (Jeremiah 26:7).
No doubt Jeremiah, who was only about 17 when God called him, had great inner turmoil over the fate of his people, and he begged them to listen. He is known as “the weeping prophet,” because he cried tears of sadness, not only because he knew what was about to happen, but because no matter how hard he tried, the people would not listen. Furthermore, he found no human comfort. God had forbidden him to marry or have children (Jeremiah 16:2), and his friends had turned their backs on him. So along with the burden of the knowledge of impending judgment, he also must have felt alone and lonely. God knew that this was the best course for Jeremiah, because He went on to tell him how horrible conditions would be in a short time, with babies, children, and adults dying “grievous” deaths, their bodies unable to even be buried, and their flesh devoured by the birds (Jeremiah 16:3-4).
Obviously, the people of Israel had become so hardened by the numbing effects of sin that they no longer believed God, nor did they fear Him. Jeremiah preached for 40 years, and not once did he see any real success in changing or softening the hearts and minds of his stubborn, idolatrous people. The other prophets of Israel had witnessed some successes, at least for a little while, but not Jeremiah. He was speaking to a brick wall; however, his words were not wasted. They were pearls being cast before swine in a sense, and they were convicting every person who heard them and refused to heed the warning.
Jeremiah tried to make the people understand their problem was a lack of belief, trust, and faith in God, along with an absence of fear which caused them to take Him for granted. It is very easy to be lulled into a false sense of security, especially when the focus is not on God. The nation of Israel, just like many nations today, had stopped putting God first, and had replaced Him with false gods, those that would not make them feel guilty or convict them of sin. God had delivered His people from bondage in Egypt, had performed miracles before them, and had even parted the waters of the sea for them. In spite of all these displays of God’s power, they returned to the false practices they had learned in Egypt, even making vows to the false ‘queen of heaven,’ along with the other rites and rituals that were part of the Egyptian culture and religion. God finally turned them over to their idolatry, saying “Go ahead then, do what you promised! Keep your vows!” (Jeremiah 44:25).
Jeremiah’s constant depression, plus his loneliness and isolation, finally got the best of him and he became discouraged. He sunk into the quagmire where many believers seem to get stuck when they think their efforts are not making a difference and time is ticking away. Jeremiah, just like every other human being, was emotionally spent, even to the point of doubting God (Jeremiah 15:18), but God was not done with him. Jeremiah 15:19 records a lesson for each believer to remember in those times when they feel alone, useless, and discouraged and their faith is wavering: “Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them.’” God was saying to Jeremiah, come back to Me, and I will restore to you the joy of your salvation. These are similar to the words penned by David when he repented of his sin with Bathsheba (Psalm 51:12).
What we learn from the life of Jeremiah is the comfort of knowing that, just like every believer, even great prophets of God can experience rejection, depression, and discouragement in their walk with the Lord. This is a normal part of growing spiritually, because our sinful nature fights against our new nature, that which is born of the Spirit of God, according to Galatians 5:17: “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” But just as Jeremiah found, we can know that the faithfulness of our God is infinite; even when we are unfaithful to Him, He remains steadfast (2 Timothy 2:13).
Jeremiah was given the task of delivering an unpopular, convicting message to Israel, one that caused him great mental anguish, as well as making him despised in the eyes of his people. God says that His truth sounds like “foolishness” to those who are lost, but to believers they are the very words of life (1 Corinthians 1:18). He also says that the time will come when people will not tolerate the truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Those in Israel in Jeremiah’s day did not want to hear what he had to say, and his constant warning of judgment annoyed them. This is true of the world today, as believers who are following God’s instructions are warning the lost and dying world of impending judgment (Revelation 3:10). Even though most are not listening, we must persevere in proclaiming truth in order to rescue some from the terrible judgment that will inevitably come.
Recommended Resource: The Great Lives from God's Word Series by Chuck Swindoll.
http://www.gotquestions.org/life-Jeremiah.html
© Copyright 2002-2011 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
www.gotquestions.org - Bible Questions Answered
8/1/11
False Teaching
There are so many false teachings and false prophets out in the world today. The only way to truly know whether or not there is any truth to it is by comparing it to the Word, and not allowing yourself to be easily swayed by a teaching just because you heard it. Everything must be proved by the Word. Also, remember the Bible teaches that if a "prophet" prophesizes something that does not come to pass than that message did not come from God.
"...but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NIV)
"If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him." Deuteronomy 18:22
"...but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good." 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NIV)
"If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him." Deuteronomy 18:22
7/31/11
7/24/11
Miracles in the Old Testament of the Bible
Preceding the Exodus:
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24)
Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26)
The birth of Isaac (Genesis 21:1-3)
The burning bush not consumed (Exodus 3:2)
In Egypt:
Aaron's rod turned into a snake (Exodus 7:10-12)
The ten plagues: 1. Water made blood (Exodus 7:20-25), 2. Frogs (Exodus 8:5-14), 3. Gnats (Exodus 8:16-18), 4. Flies (Exodus 8:20-24), 5. Death to herds and flocks (Exodus 9:3-6), 6. Boils and sores (Exodus 9:8-11), 7. Thunder and hail (Exodus 9:22-26), 8. Locusts (Exodus 10:12-19), 9. Darkness (Exodus 10:21, 23), 10. The firstborn slain (Exodus 12:29-30)
Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-31)
In the Wilderness:
The sweetening of the waters at Marah (Exodus 15:23-25)
Feeding with manna (Exodus 16:14-35)
Water from the rock at Rephidim (Exodus 17:5-7)
Death of Nadab ad Abihu for offering unholy fire (Leviticus 10:1-2)
Burning of the camp at Tabernah (Numbers 11:1-3)
Death of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16:31-35)
Aaron's rod bears buds, blossom and almonds (Numbers 17:8)
Water from the rock at Meribah (Numbers 20:7-11)
The healing powers of the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:8-9)
Stopping of the River Jordan (Joshua 3:14-17)
In Canaan - under Joshua:
Fall of the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6:6-25)
Staying of the sun and moon (Joshua 10:12-14)
Strength of Samson (Judges 14:1-16:30)
The water flows from the hollow place at Lehi (Judges 15:19)
Men of Bethshemesh slain for looking into the ark (1 Samuel 6:19)
Thunderstorm causes panic in Philistine army (1 Samuel 7:10-12)
Thunder and rain in harvest (1 Samuel 12:17-18)
Sound of marching in balsam trees (2 Samuel 5:23-25)
Under the Kings:
Death of Uzzah for touching the ark of God (2 Samuel 6:7)
Withering of Jeroboam's hand and destruction of the altar (1 Kings 13:4-5)
By Elijah:
Drought, fire from Heaven and rain at Elijah's prayer; Elijah wondrously fed (1 Kings 17:1-19:18)
The increase of the oil and mean at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:14-16)
The raising of the widow's son at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-24)
Wall of Aphek falls upon thousands of Syrians (1 Kings 20:30)
Burning of the captains and their companies (2 Kings 1:10-12)
Dividing of the River Jordan (2 Kings 2:8)
Elijah taken by a whirlwind into Heaven (2 Kings 2:11)
By Elisha:
Dividing of the River Jordan (2 Kings 2:14)
The waters of Jericho made wholesome (2 Kings 2:21-22)
Bears destroy forty-two mocking boys at Bethel (2 Kings 2:24)
Water supplied to the allied armies in Moab (2 Kings 3:16-20)
Increase of the widow's oil (2 Kings 4:2-7)
Raising of the Shunammite's son (2 Kings 4:32-37)
The deadly stew purified with flour (2 Kings 4:38-41)
Feeding one hundred men with twenty loaves (2 Kings 4:42-44)
Naaman's leprosy cured; the leprosy transferred to Gehazi (2 Kings 5:10-14,27)
An iron ax head floats on the water (2 Kings 6:5-7)
The Syrian army struck with blindness (2 Kings 6:18-20)
Elisha's bones revive a dead man (2 Kings 13:21)
Recorded by Isaiah:
Destruction of Sennacherib's army (2 Kings 19:35)
The shadow goes back on the sundial of Ahaz (2 Kings 20:9-11)
During Captivity:
Deliverance of Shadrach, Messhach and Abednego from the furnace (Daniel 3:19-27)
Daniel is saved from the den of lions (Daniel 6:16-23)
Miscellaneous:
Dagon falls twice before the ark of God; Philistines afflicted by tumors (1 Samuel 5:1-12)
Uzziah is smitten with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16-21)
Deliverance of Jonah from the great fish (Jonah 2:1-10)
Footnotes:
Graded Press, ed. "Miracles in the Old Testament." Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Nashville; Burlingame: Thomas Nelson for Cokesbury, 1990. Print.
*Posted for personal, educational, non-commercial use*
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24)
Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26)
The birth of Isaac (Genesis 21:1-3)
The burning bush not consumed (Exodus 3:2)
In Egypt:
Aaron's rod turned into a snake (Exodus 7:10-12)
The ten plagues: 1. Water made blood (Exodus 7:20-25), 2. Frogs (Exodus 8:5-14), 3. Gnats (Exodus 8:16-18), 4. Flies (Exodus 8:20-24), 5. Death to herds and flocks (Exodus 9:3-6), 6. Boils and sores (Exodus 9:8-11), 7. Thunder and hail (Exodus 9:22-26), 8. Locusts (Exodus 10:12-19), 9. Darkness (Exodus 10:21, 23), 10. The firstborn slain (Exodus 12:29-30)
Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-31)
In the Wilderness:
The sweetening of the waters at Marah (Exodus 15:23-25)
Feeding with manna (Exodus 16:14-35)
Water from the rock at Rephidim (Exodus 17:5-7)
Death of Nadab ad Abihu for offering unholy fire (Leviticus 10:1-2)
Burning of the camp at Tabernah (Numbers 11:1-3)
Death of Korah, Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16:31-35)
Aaron's rod bears buds, blossom and almonds (Numbers 17:8)
Water from the rock at Meribah (Numbers 20:7-11)
The healing powers of the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:8-9)
Stopping of the River Jordan (Joshua 3:14-17)
In Canaan - under Joshua:
Fall of the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6:6-25)
Staying of the sun and moon (Joshua 10:12-14)
Strength of Samson (Judges 14:1-16:30)
The water flows from the hollow place at Lehi (Judges 15:19)
Men of Bethshemesh slain for looking into the ark (1 Samuel 6:19)
Thunderstorm causes panic in Philistine army (1 Samuel 7:10-12)
Thunder and rain in harvest (1 Samuel 12:17-18)
Sound of marching in balsam trees (2 Samuel 5:23-25)
Under the Kings:
Death of Uzzah for touching the ark of God (2 Samuel 6:7)
Withering of Jeroboam's hand and destruction of the altar (1 Kings 13:4-5)
By Elijah:
Drought, fire from Heaven and rain at Elijah's prayer; Elijah wondrously fed (1 Kings 17:1-19:18)
The increase of the oil and mean at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:14-16)
The raising of the widow's son at Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-24)
Wall of Aphek falls upon thousands of Syrians (1 Kings 20:30)
Burning of the captains and their companies (2 Kings 1:10-12)
Dividing of the River Jordan (2 Kings 2:8)
Elijah taken by a whirlwind into Heaven (2 Kings 2:11)
By Elisha:
Dividing of the River Jordan (2 Kings 2:14)
The waters of Jericho made wholesome (2 Kings 2:21-22)
Bears destroy forty-two mocking boys at Bethel (2 Kings 2:24)
Water supplied to the allied armies in Moab (2 Kings 3:16-20)
Increase of the widow's oil (2 Kings 4:2-7)
Raising of the Shunammite's son (2 Kings 4:32-37)
The deadly stew purified with flour (2 Kings 4:38-41)
Feeding one hundred men with twenty loaves (2 Kings 4:42-44)
Naaman's leprosy cured; the leprosy transferred to Gehazi (2 Kings 5:10-14,27)
An iron ax head floats on the water (2 Kings 6:5-7)
The Syrian army struck with blindness (2 Kings 6:18-20)
Elisha's bones revive a dead man (2 Kings 13:21)
Recorded by Isaiah:
Destruction of Sennacherib's army (2 Kings 19:35)
The shadow goes back on the sundial of Ahaz (2 Kings 20:9-11)
During Captivity:
Deliverance of Shadrach, Messhach and Abednego from the furnace (Daniel 3:19-27)
Daniel is saved from the den of lions (Daniel 6:16-23)
Miscellaneous:
Dagon falls twice before the ark of God; Philistines afflicted by tumors (1 Samuel 5:1-12)
Uzziah is smitten with leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16-21)
Deliverance of Jonah from the great fish (Jonah 2:1-10)
Footnotes:
Graded Press, ed. "Miracles in the Old Testament." Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Nashville; Burlingame: Thomas Nelson for Cokesbury, 1990. Print.
*Posted for personal, educational, non-commercial use*
Parables of Jesus in the Bible
These are interpretations of the parables listed in the four Gospels of the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) according to the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
Recorded in one Gospel only:
Matthew
13:24-30
Parable: Weeds among the wheat
Lesson: Good and evil in life
13:44
Parable: The hidden treasure
Lesson: Value in the Bible
13:45-46
Parable: The pearl of great value
Lesson: Salvation
13:47-48
Parable: The full net
Lesson: The all-inclusive Church
18:23-24
Parable: The unmerciful servant
Lesson: Duty of forgiveness
20:1-16
Parable: Laborers in the vineyard
Lesson: The last will be first, and the first last
21:28-32
Parable: The father and two sons
Lesson: Insincerity and repentance
22:1-14
Parable: Marriage of the king's son
Lesson: Necessity for righteousness
25:1-13
Parable: Wise and foolish bridesmaids
Lesson: Careful and heedless preparation
25:14-30
Parable: The talents
Lesson: Use of advantages
25:31-46
Parable: The sheep and the goats
Lesson: Righteousness brings eternal life
Mark
4:26-29
Parable: Growth of a seed of grain
Lesson: Growth in religion
13:34-36
Parable: The watchful doorkeeper
Lesson: Watchfulness
Luke
7:41-50
Parable: The two debtors
Lesson: Gratitude for forgiveness
10:30-37
Parable: The good Samaritan
Lesson: Compassion for all
11:5-8
Parable: The friend at midnight
Lesson: Perseverance in prayer
12:16-21
Parable: The rich fool
Lesson: No anxiety for worldly goods
12:35-40
Parable: The waiting servants
Lesson: Expectancy of the Second Coming
12:42-48
Parable: Faithful and wise steward
Lesson: Conscientiousness in trust
13:6-9
Parable: The barren fig tree
Lesson: Unfruitfulness under grace
14:16-24
Parable: The great banquet
Lesson: Universality of the divine call
14:28-33
Parable: The tower; the warring king
Lesson: Prudence; self-denial
15:8-10
Parable: The lost coin
Lesson: Joy over penitence
15:11-32
Parable: The prodigal son
Lesson: Father's love for returning sinner
16:1-8
Parable: The dishonest manager
Lesson: Faithfulness to trust
16:19-31
Parable: The rich man and Lazarus
Lesson: Hopeless future to the unfaithful
17:7-10
Parable: The farmer and his servant
Lesson: Duty to God
18:1-8
Parable: The unrighteous judge
Lesson: Vindiction by continuing prayer
18:9-14
Parable: Pharisee and tax collector
Lesson: Self-righteousness and humility
19:12-27
Parable: Nobleman and the ten pounds
Lesson: Diligence rewarded, sloth punished
John
6:25-29
Parable: The bread of life
Lesson: Eternal salvation through Christ
10:1-39
Parable: Shepherd and the sheep
Lesson: God revealed through Christ
15:1-27
Parable: Vine and the branches
Lesson: God's love through Christ
Recorded in two Gospels:
Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:48-49
Parable: Houses on rock and sand
Lesson: Christ the true foundation
Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:20-21
Parable: The yeast
Lesson: Pervading influence of religion
Matthew 18:12-14, Luke 15:4-7
Parable: The lost sheep
Lesson: Joy over the penitent
Recorded in three Gospels:
Matthew 5:14-16, Mark 4:21-23, Luke 8:16-18
Parable: The lamp under a bushel basket
Lesson: Dissemination of truth
Matthew 9:16-17, Mark 2:19-22, Luke 5:36-39
Parable: New cloth on old garment; new wine in old wineskins
Lesson: Old forms and new faith
Matthew 13:18-30, Mark 4:3-9, Luke 8:5-8
Parable: The sower
Lesson: Exercise of understanding
Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:31-32, Luke 13:18-19
Parable: The mustard seed
Lesson: Spread of the Gospel
Matthew 21:33-41, Mark 12:1-8, Luke 20:9-16
Parable: Vineyard and tenants
Lesson: Rejection of Christ by the Jews
Matthew 24:32, Mark 13:38, Luke 21:29-30
Parable: Young leaves of the fig tree
Lesson: Indications of the Second Coming
Other passages sometimes designated as parables:
Matthew 7:3-5, Luke 6:41-42
Parable: The speck and the log
Lesson: Judgment of others
Matthew 9:15, Mark 12:19-20, Luke 5:34-35
Parable: The wedding guests
Lesson: Indication of the Second Coming
Matthew 11:16-17, Luke 7:31-32
Parable: Children at play
Lesson: Rejections of the Gospel
Matthew 12:43-45, Luke 11:24-26
Parable: Seven unclean spirits
Lesson: Sloth in faith
Matthew 13:52
Parable: Old and new treasures
Lesson: Combining old and new
Matthew 21:42-45, Mark 12:10-11, Luke 20:17-18
Parable: The rejected stones
Lesson: God's love of outcasts
Luke 13:25-27
Parable: The shut door
Lesson: Acquaintances meaningless in Heaven
Luke 14:7-11
Parable: Places of honor
Lesson: Humble to be exalted
Footnotes:
Graded Press, ed. "Parables of Our Lord." Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Nashville; Burlingame: Thomas Nelson for Cokesbury, 1990. Print.
*Posted for personal, educational, non-commercial use*
Recorded in one Gospel only:
Matthew
13:24-30
Parable: Weeds among the wheat
Lesson: Good and evil in life
13:44
Parable: The hidden treasure
Lesson: Value in the Bible
13:45-46
Parable: The pearl of great value
Lesson: Salvation
13:47-48
Parable: The full net
Lesson: The all-inclusive Church
18:23-24
Parable: The unmerciful servant
Lesson: Duty of forgiveness
20:1-16
Parable: Laborers in the vineyard
Lesson: The last will be first, and the first last
21:28-32
Parable: The father and two sons
Lesson: Insincerity and repentance
22:1-14
Parable: Marriage of the king's son
Lesson: Necessity for righteousness
25:1-13
Parable: Wise and foolish bridesmaids
Lesson: Careful and heedless preparation
25:14-30
Parable: The talents
Lesson: Use of advantages
25:31-46
Parable: The sheep and the goats
Lesson: Righteousness brings eternal life
Mark
4:26-29
Parable: Growth of a seed of grain
Lesson: Growth in religion
13:34-36
Parable: The watchful doorkeeper
Lesson: Watchfulness
Luke
7:41-50
Parable: The two debtors
Lesson: Gratitude for forgiveness
10:30-37
Parable: The good Samaritan
Lesson: Compassion for all
11:5-8
Parable: The friend at midnight
Lesson: Perseverance in prayer
12:16-21
Parable: The rich fool
Lesson: No anxiety for worldly goods
12:35-40
Parable: The waiting servants
Lesson: Expectancy of the Second Coming
12:42-48
Parable: Faithful and wise steward
Lesson: Conscientiousness in trust
13:6-9
Parable: The barren fig tree
Lesson: Unfruitfulness under grace
14:16-24
Parable: The great banquet
Lesson: Universality of the divine call
14:28-33
Parable: The tower; the warring king
Lesson: Prudence; self-denial
15:8-10
Parable: The lost coin
Lesson: Joy over penitence
15:11-32
Parable: The prodigal son
Lesson: Father's love for returning sinner
16:1-8
Parable: The dishonest manager
Lesson: Faithfulness to trust
16:19-31
Parable: The rich man and Lazarus
Lesson: Hopeless future to the unfaithful
17:7-10
Parable: The farmer and his servant
Lesson: Duty to God
18:1-8
Parable: The unrighteous judge
Lesson: Vindiction by continuing prayer
18:9-14
Parable: Pharisee and tax collector
Lesson: Self-righteousness and humility
19:12-27
Parable: Nobleman and the ten pounds
Lesson: Diligence rewarded, sloth punished
John
6:25-29
Parable: The bread of life
Lesson: Eternal salvation through Christ
10:1-39
Parable: Shepherd and the sheep
Lesson: God revealed through Christ
15:1-27
Parable: Vine and the branches
Lesson: God's love through Christ
Recorded in two Gospels:
Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:48-49
Parable: Houses on rock and sand
Lesson: Christ the true foundation
Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:20-21
Parable: The yeast
Lesson: Pervading influence of religion
Matthew 18:12-14, Luke 15:4-7
Parable: The lost sheep
Lesson: Joy over the penitent
Recorded in three Gospels:
Matthew 5:14-16, Mark 4:21-23, Luke 8:16-18
Parable: The lamp under a bushel basket
Lesson: Dissemination of truth
Matthew 9:16-17, Mark 2:19-22, Luke 5:36-39
Parable: New cloth on old garment; new wine in old wineskins
Lesson: Old forms and new faith
Matthew 13:18-30, Mark 4:3-9, Luke 8:5-8
Parable: The sower
Lesson: Exercise of understanding
Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:31-32, Luke 13:18-19
Parable: The mustard seed
Lesson: Spread of the Gospel
Matthew 21:33-41, Mark 12:1-8, Luke 20:9-16
Parable: Vineyard and tenants
Lesson: Rejection of Christ by the Jews
Matthew 24:32, Mark 13:38, Luke 21:29-30
Parable: Young leaves of the fig tree
Lesson: Indications of the Second Coming
Other passages sometimes designated as parables:
Matthew 7:3-5, Luke 6:41-42
Parable: The speck and the log
Lesson: Judgment of others
Matthew 9:15, Mark 12:19-20, Luke 5:34-35
Parable: The wedding guests
Lesson: Indication of the Second Coming
Matthew 11:16-17, Luke 7:31-32
Parable: Children at play
Lesson: Rejections of the Gospel
Matthew 12:43-45, Luke 11:24-26
Parable: Seven unclean spirits
Lesson: Sloth in faith
Matthew 13:52
Parable: Old and new treasures
Lesson: Combining old and new
Matthew 21:42-45, Mark 12:10-11, Luke 20:17-18
Parable: The rejected stones
Lesson: God's love of outcasts
Luke 13:25-27
Parable: The shut door
Lesson: Acquaintances meaningless in Heaven
Luke 14:7-11
Parable: Places of honor
Lesson: Humble to be exalted
Footnotes:
Graded Press, ed. "Parables of Our Lord." Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Nashville; Burlingame: Thomas Nelson for Cokesbury, 1990. Print.
*Posted for personal, educational, non-commercial use*
7/23/11
Hal Lindsey Report (july 22, 2011): Christians Against Israel, Curse of the Allegory, Is God a Liar?, Paul's Warning
This week on 'The Hal Lindsey Report'
Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters were an old-time gospel singing and comedy trio that once toured the South. More than 40 years ago, Bagwell released a million-selling song -- and insisted the story was true -- about visiting a small rural church where, during the service, some of the members disappeared behind the stage. They emerged a short time later carrying five large rattlesnakes.
To his and his band's surprise and horror, they realized they were in a church where the believers "took up the serpent" as a display of their faith in the Word of God.
Bagwell said that he looked over at one of the singers and said, "Look around and tell me where you think the backdoor is."
To which she replied, "I've already looked. They don't have one."
Bagwell then said, "Reckon where do they want one?"
Sometimes I feel a little like Wendy Bagwell when I look around the church world today. It's not that I'm seeing snake handlers, I'm seeing far worse -- fellow Christians playing with something deadlier than snake venom. They're playing with the wrath of God. But then, don't you get angry when someone calls you a liar?
That's what's happening in some circles of the church world today. There is a movement afoot that effectively says God intentionally deceived Abraham when He made His covenant with him. Further, that movement, known as "Dominionism" or "Preterism," claims that God reneged on His "irrevocable" promises to Israel and transferred those promises to the Church, which they call "spiritual Israel." (Oddly, though, they don't explain why God transferred the promises but not the punishments from Israel.)
So, just as I don't want to be standing close to a fellow who chooses to "take up the serpent," I'm wary of those who choose to call God a liar.
Recently, the World Council of Churches sponsored a scholarly conference in Volos, Greece. The participants gathered to assess the plight of Christian communities across the Middle East since 9/11, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the uprisings of the "Arab Spring."
I'm sure they considered the mounting evidence of a Muslim campaign of terror and persecution that has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Christians and the decimation and flight of scores of Christian communities. No doubt they were told about the fatwas that have been issued by zealous imams. I'm certain they examined the records of brutal dictators who have stirred up their Muslim citizens against the Christians to divert attention from their own domestic troubles.
After listening to firsthand accounts and reading testimonials that have emerged from the chaos, the conference reached the only logical conclusion available. To be honest, no thoughtful observer was surprised. The conference concluded that the blame for the heartbreaking plight of our fellow Christians across the Middle East in the last decade lies with Israel. More specifically, with Israel's brutal and callous occupation of the land that rightfully belongs to the Palestinians and Muslims.
Step back. I sense the possibility of some unexplained lightning strikes. You see, God warned those who sought to appropriate for themselves the land He promised to the Israelites. He said they would suffer the fire of His wrath.
But the conference participants were only behaving as those who sponsored it behave. The World Council of Churches no longer believes that the Jews are God's chosen people. So why should their claims to Israel be respected? That's the same line of reasoning the "dominionists" and "preterists" follow. They say the Jews forfeited their covenant rights when they rejected Jesus as the Messiah. So God transferred all of those "irrevocable" promises to the Church -- the modern day "chosen ones."
If that's not calling God a liar, then what is it?
On second thought, maybe I'm safer next to the guy with the rattlesnake.
Don't miss this week's Report on TBN, Daystar, Inspiration (on Sundays now!), CPM Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com or www.hischannel.com. Check your local listings.
God Bless,
Hal Lindsey
mail: HLMM, P.O. Box 470470, Tulsa, OK 74147
email: comments@hallindsey.com
web: http://www.hallindsey.com
7/21/11
The World's Hatred
"People will insult you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow Me. But when they do, you will be blessed. Rejoice and be glad, because you have a great reward waiting for you in Heaven. People did the same evil things to the prophets who lived before you." - Matthew 5:11-12 (NCV)
"If the world hates you, remember that it hated Me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? 'A slave is not greater than the master.' Since they persecuted Me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to Me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of Me, for they have rejected the One who sent Me. They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates Me also hates My Father. If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate Me and My Father. This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: 'They hated Me without cause.'" - John 15:18-25 (NCV)
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
"If the world hates you, remember that it hated Me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? 'A slave is not greater than the master.' Since they persecuted Me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to Me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of Me, for they have rejected the One who sent Me. They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates Me also hates My Father. If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate Me and My Father. This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: 'They hated Me without cause.'" - John 15:18-25 (NCV)
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
7/14/11
Is it wrong for me to point out my friend's sin?
Ask Dr. Stanley. What do you when someone you care about is hurting themselves? And is there a point when it becomes healthy to back away from a friend who is living in sin? In Touch Ministries, 2011. http://intouch.org/
YouTube Profile: http://www.youtube.com/user/ITMCS32
7/13/11
"Does the Bible condone slavery?"
Question: "Does the Bible condone slavery?"
Answer: There is a tendency to look at slavery as something of the past. But it is estimated that there are today over 12 million people in the world who are subject to slavery: forced labor, sex trade, inheritable property, etc. As those who have been redeemed from the slavery of sin, followers of Jesus Christ should be the foremost champions of ending human slavery in the world today. The question arises, though, why does the Bible not speak out strongly against slavery? Why does the Bible, in fact, seem to support the practice of human slavery?
The Bible does not specifically condemn the practice of slavery. It gives instructions on how slaves should be treated (Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1), but does not outlaw slavery altogether. Many see this as the Bible condoning all forms of slavery. What many fail to understand is that slavery in biblical times was very different from the slavery that was practiced in the past few centuries in many parts of the world. The slavery in the Bible was not based exclusively on race. People were not enslaved because of their nationality or the color of their skin. In Bible times, slavery was more a matter of social status. People sold themselves as slaves when they could not pay their debts or provide for their families. In New Testament times, sometimes doctors, lawyers, and even politicians were slaves of someone else. Some people actually chose to be slaves so as to have all their needs provided for by their masters.
The slavery of the past few centuries was often based exclusively on skin color. In the United States, many black people were considered slaves because of their nationality; many slave owners truly believed black people to be inferior human beings. The Bible most definitely does condemn race-based slavery. Consider the slavery the Hebrews experienced when they were in Egypt. The Hebrews were slaves, not by choice, but because they were Hebrews (Exodus 13:14). The plagues God poured out on Egypt demonstrate how God feels about racial slavery (Exodus 7-11). So, yes, the Bible does condemn some forms of slavery. At the same time, the Bible does seem to allow for other forms. The key issue is that the slavery the Bible allowed for in no way resembled the racial slavery that plagued our world in the past few centuries.
In addition, both the Old and New Testaments condemn the practice of “man-stealing” which is what happened in Africa in the 19th century. Africans were rounded up by slave-hunters, who sold them to slave-traders, who brought them to the New World to work on plantations and farms. This practice is abhorrent to God. In fact, the penalty for such a crime in the Mosaic Law was death: “Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death” (Exodus 21:16). Similarly, in the New Testament, slave-traders are listed among those who are “ungodly and sinful” and are in the same category as those who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers, adulterers and perverts, and liars and perjurers (1 Timothy 1:8-10).
Another crucial point is that the purpose of the Bible is to point the way to salvation, not to reform society. The Bible often approaches issues from the inside out. If a person experiences the love, mercy, and grace of God by receiving His salvation, God will reform his soul, changing the way he thinks and acts. A person who has experienced God’s gift of salvation and freedom from the slavery of sin, as God reforms his soul, will realize that enslaving another human being is wrong. A person who has truly experienced God’s grace will in turn be gracious towards others. That would be the Bible’s prescription for ending slavery.
Recommended Resource: Hard Sayings of the Bible by Kaiser, Davids, & Brauch.
© Copyright 2002-2011 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
www.gotquestions.org - Bible Questions Answered
Answer: There is a tendency to look at slavery as something of the past. But it is estimated that there are today over 12 million people in the world who are subject to slavery: forced labor, sex trade, inheritable property, etc. As those who have been redeemed from the slavery of sin, followers of Jesus Christ should be the foremost champions of ending human slavery in the world today. The question arises, though, why does the Bible not speak out strongly against slavery? Why does the Bible, in fact, seem to support the practice of human slavery?
The Bible does not specifically condemn the practice of slavery. It gives instructions on how slaves should be treated (Deuteronomy 15:12-15; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1), but does not outlaw slavery altogether. Many see this as the Bible condoning all forms of slavery. What many fail to understand is that slavery in biblical times was very different from the slavery that was practiced in the past few centuries in many parts of the world. The slavery in the Bible was not based exclusively on race. People were not enslaved because of their nationality or the color of their skin. In Bible times, slavery was more a matter of social status. People sold themselves as slaves when they could not pay their debts or provide for their families. In New Testament times, sometimes doctors, lawyers, and even politicians were slaves of someone else. Some people actually chose to be slaves so as to have all their needs provided for by their masters.
The slavery of the past few centuries was often based exclusively on skin color. In the United States, many black people were considered slaves because of their nationality; many slave owners truly believed black people to be inferior human beings. The Bible most definitely does condemn race-based slavery. Consider the slavery the Hebrews experienced when they were in Egypt. The Hebrews were slaves, not by choice, but because they were Hebrews (Exodus 13:14). The plagues God poured out on Egypt demonstrate how God feels about racial slavery (Exodus 7-11). So, yes, the Bible does condemn some forms of slavery. At the same time, the Bible does seem to allow for other forms. The key issue is that the slavery the Bible allowed for in no way resembled the racial slavery that plagued our world in the past few centuries.
In addition, both the Old and New Testaments condemn the practice of “man-stealing” which is what happened in Africa in the 19th century. Africans were rounded up by slave-hunters, who sold them to slave-traders, who brought them to the New World to work on plantations and farms. This practice is abhorrent to God. In fact, the penalty for such a crime in the Mosaic Law was death: “Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death” (Exodus 21:16). Similarly, in the New Testament, slave-traders are listed among those who are “ungodly and sinful” and are in the same category as those who kill their fathers or mothers, murderers, adulterers and perverts, and liars and perjurers (1 Timothy 1:8-10).
Another crucial point is that the purpose of the Bible is to point the way to salvation, not to reform society. The Bible often approaches issues from the inside out. If a person experiences the love, mercy, and grace of God by receiving His salvation, God will reform his soul, changing the way he thinks and acts. A person who has experienced God’s gift of salvation and freedom from the slavery of sin, as God reforms his soul, will realize that enslaving another human being is wrong. A person who has truly experienced God’s grace will in turn be gracious towards others. That would be the Bible’s prescription for ending slavery.
Recommended Resource: Hard Sayings of the Bible by Kaiser, Davids, & Brauch.
© Copyright 2002-2011 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
www.gotquestions.org - Bible Questions Answered
7/11/11
Is Scripture Infallible?
by Brian Edwards, Answers in Genesis
July 5, 2011
Let’s start by understanding what we mean when we talk about the Bible as “inspired” because that word may mislead us. The term is an attempt to translate a word that occurs only once in the New Testament, and it’s not the best translation, even though William Tyndale introduced it back in 1526. The word is found in 2 Timothy 3:16 and is made from two Greek words, one being the word for God and the other referring to breath or wind. It is significant that the word is used passively in this case. God did not “breathe into” (inspire) all Scripture, but it was “breathed out” by God (expired). Thus, 2 Timothy 3:16 is not about how the Bible came to us but where it came from. The Scriptures are “God-breathed.” If “inspired” really means “God-breathed,” then the claim of 2 Timothy 3:16 is that all Scripture, being God-breathed, is without error and therefore can be trusted completely. Since God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18), He would cease to be God if He breathed out errors and contradictions, even in the smallest part. So long as we give theopneustos its real meaning, we shall not find it hard to understand the full inerrancy of the Bible.
To continue reading this article go to the website here: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/07/05/believe-in-the-inerrancy-of-scripture#
© Copyright 2011 Answers in Genesis
http://www.answersingenesis.org
July 5, 2011
Let’s start by understanding what we mean when we talk about the Bible as “inspired” because that word may mislead us. The term is an attempt to translate a word that occurs only once in the New Testament, and it’s not the best translation, even though William Tyndale introduced it back in 1526. The word is found in 2 Timothy 3:16 and is made from two Greek words, one being the word for God and the other referring to breath or wind. It is significant that the word is used passively in this case. God did not “breathe into” (inspire) all Scripture, but it was “breathed out” by God (expired). Thus, 2 Timothy 3:16 is not about how the Bible came to us but where it came from. The Scriptures are “God-breathed.” If “inspired” really means “God-breathed,” then the claim of 2 Timothy 3:16 is that all Scripture, being God-breathed, is without error and therefore can be trusted completely. Since God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18), He would cease to be God if He breathed out errors and contradictions, even in the smallest part. So long as we give theopneustos its real meaning, we shall not find it hard to understand the full inerrancy of the Bible.
To continue reading this article go to the website here: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/07/05/believe-in-the-inerrancy-of-scripture#
© Copyright 2011 Answers in Genesis
http://www.answersingenesis.org
7/10/11
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
The Gospel of Jesus Christ from Way of Life on Vimeo.
The Gospel explained in a simple way. Sin, death, hell, forgiveness, salvation, heaven. What is it all about? What does the Bible conclude about all of this?7/2/11
Did Moses Write Genesis?
from Answers in Genesis
by Dr. Terry Mortenson and Bodie Hodge
June 28, 2011
One of the major attacks on the Bible in the past 300 years has been directed against Moses and his authorship of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis–Deuteronomy). Such attacks on these foundational books of the rest of the Bible come both from non-Christians as well as professing Christians. Seminary courses, theology books, introductions to the Pentateuch in Bibles, and the secular media have promoted the man-made idea that Moses did not write the Pentateuch (also known as the Law or Torah). Instead, it is claimed that at least four different authors (or groups of authors) wrote various portions of these books over many centuries and then one or more redactors (editors) over many years combined and interwove everything together into its present form. However, there is abundant biblical and extra-biblical evidence that Moses wrote the Pentateuch during the wilderness wanderings after the Jews left their slavery in Egypt and before they entered the Promised Land (about 1445–1405 BC). Contrary to the liberal theologians and other skeptics, it was not written after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon (ca. 500 BC). Christians who believe Moses wrote the Pentateuch do not need to feel intellectually intimidated. It is the enemies of the truth of God that are failing to think carefully and face the facts honestly.
To continue reading this article go the website here: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/06/28/did-moses-write-genesis#
© Copyright 2011 Answers in Genesis
http://www.answersingenesis.org
by Dr. Terry Mortenson and Bodie Hodge
June 28, 2011
One of the major attacks on the Bible in the past 300 years has been directed against Moses and his authorship of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis–Deuteronomy). Such attacks on these foundational books of the rest of the Bible come both from non-Christians as well as professing Christians. Seminary courses, theology books, introductions to the Pentateuch in Bibles, and the secular media have promoted the man-made idea that Moses did not write the Pentateuch (also known as the Law or Torah). Instead, it is claimed that at least four different authors (or groups of authors) wrote various portions of these books over many centuries and then one or more redactors (editors) over many years combined and interwove everything together into its present form. However, there is abundant biblical and extra-biblical evidence that Moses wrote the Pentateuch during the wilderness wanderings after the Jews left their slavery in Egypt and before they entered the Promised Land (about 1445–1405 BC). Contrary to the liberal theologians and other skeptics, it was not written after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon (ca. 500 BC). Christians who believe Moses wrote the Pentateuch do not need to feel intellectually intimidated. It is the enemies of the truth of God that are failing to think carefully and face the facts honestly.
To continue reading this article go the website here: http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/06/28/did-moses-write-genesis#
© Copyright 2011 Answers in Genesis
http://www.answersingenesis.org
8/31/09
What does the Bible say about horoscopes, astrology and the zodiac?
Pt 1: Should a Christian consult horoscopes?
Pt. 2: What does the Bible say about astrology or the Zodiac? Is astrology something a Christian should study?
Question: "Should a Christian consult horoscopes?"
Answer: The purpose of a horoscope is to gain insight into a person’s character and foretell the future. The basic belief of astrology is that planets and stars exert an influence upon our lives. Those with special knowledge—astrologers—can predict events in a person’s life. It is distressing that most major newspapers have a horoscope column, and even more distressing that many Christians read their horoscopes.
The Bible expressly forbids divination, sorcery, and hidden arts (Deuteronomy 18:10-14). God’s people are to heed God only (Deuteronomy 18:15). Any other source of guidance, information, or revelation is to be rejected outright. (See also Acts 16:16-18.) The Bible points to Jesus Christ as the only proper focus of faith (Acts 4:12; Hebrews 12:2). Our trust is in God alone, and we know that He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Faith in anything besides God is misplaced.
Astrology, then, opposes biblical teaching in at least two ways: it advocates faith in something other than God, and it is a form of divination. We cannot determine God's will for our lives through horoscopes. As Christians, we are to read the Bible and pray to God in order to gain wisdom and guidance. Consulting a horoscope is a violation of God's means of communicating with His children. We strongly believe that horoscopes should be rejected by Christians.
Recommended Resource: The Kingdom of the Cults, revised and updated edition.
http://www.gotquestions.org/horoscopes-Christian.html
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Question: "What does the Bible say about astrology or the Zodiac? Is astrology something a Christian should study?"
Answer: The Bible has much to say about the stars. Most basic to our understanding of the stars is that God created them. They show His power and majesty. The heavens are God’s “handiwork” (Psalm 8:3; 19:1). He has all the stars numbered and named (Psalm 147:4).
The Bible also teaches that God arranged the stars into recognizable groups that we call constellations. The Bible mentions three of these: Orion, the Bear (Ursa Major), and “the crooked serpent” (most likely Draco) in Job 9:9; 26:13; 38:31-32; and Amos 5:8. The same passages also reference the star group Pleiades (the Seven Stars). God is the One Who “fastens the bands” of these constellations; He is the One who brings them forth, “each in its season.” In Job 38:32, God also points to the “Mazzaroth,” usually translated “constellations.” This is thought by many to be a reference to the twelve constellations of the zodiac.
The constellations have been tracked and studied for millennia. The Egyptians and Greeks knew of the zodiac and used it to measure the beginning of spring centuries before Christ. Much has been written of the meaning of the zodiacal constellations, including theories that they comprise an ancient display of God’s redemptive plan. For example, the constellation Leo can be seen as a celestial depiction of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5), and Virgo could be a reminder of the virgin who bore Christ. However, the Bible does not indicate any “hidden meaning” for these or other constellations.
The Bible says that stars, along with the sun and moon, were given for “signs” and “seasons” (Genesis 1:14); that is, they were meant to mark time for us. They are also “signs” in the sense of navigational “indicators,” and all through history men have used the stars to chart their courses around the globe.
God used the stars as an illustration of His promise to give Abraham an innumerable seed (Genesis 15:5). Thus, every time Abraham looked up at the night sky, he had a reminder of God’s faithfulness and goodness. The final judgment of the earth will be accompanied by astronomical events relating to the stars (Isaiah 13:9-10; Joel 3:15; Matthew 26:29).
Astrology is the “interpretation” of an assumed influence the stars (and planets) exert on human destiny. This is a false belief. The royal astrologers of the Babylonian court were put to shame by God’s prophet Daniel (Daniel 1:20) and were powerless to interpret the king’s dream (Daniel 2:27). God specifies astrologers as among those who will be burned as stubble in God’s judgment (Isaiah 47:13-14). Astrology as a form of divination is expressly forbidden in Scripture (Deuteronomy 18:10-14). God forbade the children of Israel to worship or serve the “host of heaven” (Deuteronomy 4:19). Several times in their history, however, Israel fell into that very sin (2 Kings 17:16 is one example). Their worship of the stars brought God’s judgment each time.
The stars should awaken wonder at God’s power, wisdom, and infinitude. We should use the stars to keep track of time and place and to remind us of God’s faithful, covenant-keeping nature. All the while, we acknowledge the Creator of the heavens. Our wisdom comes from God, not the stars (James 1:5). The Word of God, the Bible, is our guide through life (Psalm 119:105).
Recommended Resource: The Truth Behind Ghosts, Mediums, and Psychic Phenomena by Ron Rhodes.
http://www.gotquestions.org/astrology-Bible.html
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