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Category: Introductory Material

Invitation to Comment/”Leave a Reply” About Articles on this Website

Invitation to Comment/”Leave a Reply” About Articles on this Website

“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence”—1 Peter 3:15 NAB

After each article on this website, there is a place to “Leave a Reply.” We invite all sincere readers who feel inclined to do so, even if you disagree with something in the article.

This website is a place where issues related to the Bible can be openly and sincerely discussed with reason and good attitudes, but is not a place for such things as advertisements, promotions, hostility, bad language or profanity, personal attacks, debate just for the sport of it, etc.  read more

CAN WE UNDERSTAND ALMIGHTY GOD AND HIS WORD, THE BIBLE?

CAN WE UNDERSTAND ALMIGHTY GOD AND HIS WORD, THE BIBLE?

The short answer is, yes, we can understand Almighty God and his Word, the Bible! Does that mean that we can fully understand everything? No, we can’t. The Bible makes this very clear.

“How great is our God–beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out”—Job 36:26 NIV

But the Bible does indeed indicate that understanding of what we need to know, how to act, how to be considered “righteous” by God, and be given the gift of eternal life, is entirely attainable. read more

THE EVIDENCE PROVES GOD’S EXISTENCE

THE EVIDENCE PROVES GOD’S EXISTENCE

“Even when walking in the street the fool, lacking understanding, calls everyone a fool”—Ecclesiastes 10:3 NAB

BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY REQUIRES LESS FAITH TO BELIEVE IN THAN ATHEISM

While Christians are often derided for their seemingly “blind faith” in the Creator/God’s existence, the facts give powerful evidence the Biblical Creator/God is real. 

The overwhelming scientific evidence confirms the essential truths of the “Big Bang”. In just the last 100 years, scientists, such as cosmologists and astronomers, have been forced by their very own discoveries to admit the universe had a beginning, which harmonizes with what the Bible stated as fact thousands of years ago. For example: read more

JESUS’ ROBE AT HEROD’S “TRIAL,” USING VARIOUS TRANSLATIONS

JESUS’ ROBE AT HEROD’S “TRIAL,” USING VARIOUS TRANSLATIONS

“Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate”—Luke 23:11 NLT

Pilate could not find anything wrong with Jesus, and hoped to evade responsibility for Jesus by shifting him over to Herod, who happened to be in town for the major festival of Passover. But to Herod Jesus is only a curiosity (Luke 23:8,9), and a joke (Luke 23:11). His curiosity, however, goes unrewarded. Since Jesus refused to answer Herod’s many questions, Herod gets tired of it after awhile, and sends Jesus back to Pilate. But before he does, they put a robe on Jesus to crown their mockery of him. The robe and its color are difficult to describe, at least in English. This is only a minor detail, of course, but notice how many different ways and colors this robe is described in various Bible translations at Luke 23:11:

brilliant—HCSB

elegant—NIV; NRSV

rich—NJB

royal—NLT

splendid—ESV

gorgeous—KJV; NKJV

“brightly shining”– NASB

fine—GNB; Berean Study Bible

bright—CSB

colorful—GWT

white—Douay

luxurious—WEB

resplendent garb—NAB

kingly–NCV

This is a good example of one of the many advantages a person who uses multiple translations has, over using only one translation. While this is a very minor point, we can see that there are various ways to translate from the ancient Koine’ Greek into modern English, and also various ways describe something, which can help us to get a better mental picture of what the Bible is describing. After all, vivid mental pictures help us to remember things better. Knowing and remembering what the Bible says is vital to knowing God and Jesus. Knowing them, the Bible says, results in eternal life (John 17:3).  Also, very important to Christians who want to fully ‘imitate God, Jesus and Paul’ (Ephesians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 11:1), vivid mental images of things in the Bible better equip us to effectively witness and teach the Word of God to others (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19,20; 2 Timothy 3:16,17).

Gospel writer Luke tells his readers:

“Just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write down an orderly account“—Luke 1:2,3 NIV

Luke’s 

‘careful investigation’  read more

What Sincere Beliefs Must a Person Hold To Be a Christian?

What Sincere Beliefs Must a Person Hold To Be a Christian?

Many people in the world today call themselves “Christian,” but there are so many conflicting beliefs and doctrines taught among these people. So what beliefs must a person hold in order to be a true Christian? In order to answer this question, we need to look to God’s Word. Let’s see what the Bible has to say.

Christian belief
Christians view the Bible as God’s revelation to humanity

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) So the first point is that one must believe that God exists, and becomes the rewarder of those sincerely seeking him.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) The sincere Christian would believe the Bible (the 66 books from Genesis to Malachi) is the word of God.

God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. read more

The Bible Completely Equips Us and Does Not Need to Be Supplemented

The Bible Completely Equips Us and Does Not Need to Be Supplemented

Many people professing to be Christians today believe the Bible is useful but incomplete and needs to be supplemented by their own teachings and writings. But is this the case?

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16-17) The Bible completely equips Christians because it is the only divinely inspired writing.

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” (Prov 30:5-6) The Bible is perfect because it is God’s Word and does not need to be supplemented.

False Doctrines
“Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ” (1 Jn 4:1)

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.” (Rev 22:18-19) Adding to or subtracting anything from the Bible is condemned by God.

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (Jn 17:17)The Bible is God’s Word.

“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. ” (Jude 3) This body of truth, or faith, contained in the Bible was delivered once for all time, being completed by around 100 CE.

“Remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.” (Jude 17) The word of the apostles was authoritative. The New Testament was written by four apostles directly  chosen by Jesus, namely, Matthew, John, Peter and Paul. Four other close associates of the apostles also wrote the New Testament.

  • 1 Cor 15:7 – “Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.” Jesus appeared to James.
  • Acts 15:13 – “James spoke…”
  • Acts 15:19 – “It is my judgment…”
  • Acts 15:22 – “Then the apostles and elders… decided….” James was the spokesman.
  • Acts 21:18 – “Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present.” James was the leader of the important Jerusalem church.
  • Gal 1:19 – “I saw none of the other apostles – only James, the Lord’s brother.”
  • Gal 2:9 – “James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars.”
  • read more

    Is the New Testament Based on Eyewitness Testimony?

    Is the New Testament Based on Eyewitness Testimony?

    Is the New Testament based on eyewitness testimony? Let’s examine the Bible to find out.

    Is the NT based on eyewitness testimony?
    Is the NT based on eyewitness testimony?

    “Draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses.” (Luke 1:1,2 NIV) The Bible writer Luke based his accounts on eyewitness testimony. read more

    Bible Authenticity – Is the Bible Reliable?

    Bible Authenticity – Is the Bible Reliable?

    Is the Bible reliable?
    Can the Bible be trusted?

    Is the Bible reliable? Does it contain myths, or are the stories true? Did the writers simply write down stories they had heard from other people, or did they experience the things firsthand that they wrote about?

    The Bible is not made up of cleverly devised fables or myths. “We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:16 NAB).  Many of the Bible writers were actually eyewitnesses of their written accounts.  “But we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16 NAB; see also 1 Peter 5:1) Eyewitnesses also handed down their accounts to others who carefully researched these things. (Luke 1:1-3) Still others studied and pondered. (Ecclesiastes 12:9-10) But none came from human will. (2 Peter 1:21)

    All scripture was inspired by God: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16,17 NIV).  The Bible ‘thoroughly equips the servant of God.’ It does not need to be supplemented, as though it were not complete. The Bible alone contains 

    “the faith that was once for all handed down to the holy ones” (Jude 3 NAB).  read more

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