Popular depictions of heaven are full of misconceptions. For example, some people wrongly assume it will be boring as people live somberly in the clouds for all eternity. Other people incorrectly think heaven will be an individual’s customized utopia that even includes sinful behavior. The Bible refutes these groundless ideas of what eternal life with…
Eternity is a lot longer than the relatively short life spans that people have on earth, so it’s no wonder that many people have questions about heaven. While many wonder what it will be like, who will be there, and what there is to do, many people also want to know where it is. The…
Lucifer, also called Satan and the devil, was once a holy, pure, beautiful angel. According to the Bible, Lucifer was part of God’s good creation. But then everything changed. The holy angel became a fallen angel when he sinned against God. Many people are curious to know what Lucifer did and why God cast him…
Astute Bible readers recognize that Scripture uses the term “heaven” in more than one way. Context determines its exact meaning when Old and New Testament writers refer to it. While in some passages, the meaning of “heaven” is clear, but in others it’s not. This leads many people to wonder how many heavens there are…
A manger was a shelter for animals similar to what many people today would call a stall. Even if the manger was relatively clean, it was an unfitting place for a woman to give birth. Yet, according to the Bible, it wasn’t just anyone who started life in a manger, but a king who was…
The story of Jesus Christ’s birth is one of the most well-known in the Bible. It includes Mary and Joseph, beautiful angels, adoring shepherds, a guiding light in the sky, and a dangerous threat from a jealous politician. Yet the manger is one of the most iconic images of Jesus’ birth story. The word “manger”…
Joseph and Mary’s relationship, including their betrothal and marriage, is one of the most iconic in the Bible. Mary is young, devout, and contemplative. Joseph is humble, obedient, and protective. Together, they were the earthly parents of Jesus. Bible readers have a lot of questions about the holy couple. One of them concerns how old…
Joseph, the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus Christ, is depicted in the Gospels as humble, law-abiding, and obedient. In many Christmas scenes, such as in displays of the manger, he is portrayed as being about the same age as Mary. Is this true? Was Joseph the same age as Mary, older…
From a cross to a fish to a dove, there are many visual emblems of the Christian faith. Many reflect biblical truth about God the Father, his son Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit. Others represent the church, the Bible, or the Lord’s Supper. IHS is a prominent symbol but doesn’t have an obvious meaning…
The details of the life of Jesus Christ are fascinating to many Bible readers. Not only do they reveal more about him, but many people look to his way of life as a model for how to live today. Jesus’ orientation toward possessions is an important topic in the Gospels, but the descriptions aren’t always…
One of the greatest purposes that God has for every Christian is that they would reflect his son, Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:39). Becoming more Christlike is a life-long process that every Christian should commit to without reservation (Eph. 4:15). It must be the duty, priority, and passion of every follower of Jesus to become more…
The wise men (also called magi), who visited Jesus when he was an infant in Bethlehem, are often depicted as three in number, such as in the classic hymn, We Three Kings. However, sometimes well-known Bible stories develop legendary elements as a result of tradition. This leads people to wonder about how many wise men…
Martyrs are known for their conviction and testimony. They are models of faithfulness because they were willing to die for what they believe. Many traditions uphold martyrs as quintessential examples of devotion to God. A common question people ask about Christianity is whether or not Jesus Christ was a martyr. The Greek word for martyr…
How did Jesus Christ view money and possessions? How did he view the rich and the poor? Not only are many people interested to know what Jesus taught about wealth and poverty, but they are curious to know how he lived. Did he preach generosity and minimalism, but practice materialism and greed? Jesus was poor…
“Accepting Jesus into your heart” is a common Christian phrase that refers to how a person becomes a follower of Christ. Preachers, missionaries, evangelists, and other Christians often use the phrase when proclaiming the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, not everyone is familiar with how to accept Jesus into their heart…
The visit of the wise men (also called magi) to Jesus is one of the most iconic moments in the early chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. Though they weren’t huddled in the manger with the holy family, the shepherds, and some barn animals as depicted in many Christmas stories, their visit to Jesus had…
Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine, which he performed at Cana, is one of the most well-known stories of his ministry. For many Bible readers, other miracles he performed, like healing the afflicted and multiplying food, are self-explanatory. Yet many people want to know why Jesus used his supernatural power to turn water into…
Theologians, historians, and anyone else who finds Jesus of Nazareth fascinating have discussed and debated his identity for 2,000 years. Jesus himself made clear claims about who he was, but that hasn’t stopped some readers from coming to their own conclusions about him. Some wonder if Jesus was just a human being, if he was…
What food Jesus ate may seem unimportant to some people, but to others, it has great significance. What he ate speaks to the nature of his body, his view of the Law, and his ethical stance regarding eating non-plant-based foods. A common question people ask about Jesus’ eating habits is whether or not he ate…
A lot of people know that Jesus of Nazareth lived a long time ago. They may even know that he was a Jewish man born at the time of the Roman Empire. Yet, they are unclear about exactly when he was on the earth and the general timeline of his life. One common question people…
The Gospels describe more than one woman washing Jesus’ feet—and the stories aren’t the same. Though they sound similar at first, the events took place at different times and locations. One featured Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. The other involved an unnamed woman, described as a sinner, who washed Jesus’ feet…
The New Testament describes a believer’s relationship with Jesus Christ in several different ways. Each name reveals certain truths about a believer. These descriptions include disciple, follower, and friend. The name “brother” suggests a greater personal proximity to Jesus than other names. But does the Bible refer to Jesus and believers as brothers? The New…
The death of Jesus of Nazareth, along with his resurrection from the dead, is the central event of the Christian faith. As a punishment, the cross was brutal, gruesome, and violent. Yet it’s also the place where Jesus expressed his love for sinners as he took their place and their penalty. Many people want to…
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell readers about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They recorded stories about his teachings, his miracles, and his disciples. Yet unlike his followers in the first century, people today can’t see Jesus with their eyes, hear him with their ears, or touch his nail-scarred hands and feet….
“We should understand that, fundamentally, our faith is not about what we do (as important as that is), nor is it about what we think (as important as that is). Our faith is fundamentally strengthened by understanding who we are through the indwelling Christ. We are who we are because of our union with Him.”…
Every day there are people who make the decision to follow Jesus Christ after they hear the gospel and respond to it in faith and repentance. Yet after that decision is made, many people want to know what the New Testament says are the characteristics of people who follow Jesus as his disciple. Disciples of…
Jesus Christ has been worshiped for over 2,000 years, but many still wonder: What did he actually look like? The Bible doesn’t give a detailed physical description, but it does offer clues—from Isaiah’s prophecy to John’s heavenly vision in Revelation. Jesus wasn’t physically striking by worldly standards, yet his appearance during key moments—like his crucifixion…
Many Bible readers are interested to know more about Paul’s phrase “the mind of Christ.” Some readers find the phrase confusing, so they desire a basic explanation of it. Others, who know that the phrase has been the subject of a lot of unorthodox teaching, seek clarification regarding its interpretation and application. The phrase “the…
The death of Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most pivotal moments in history. The countless number of injustices that occurred before his crucifixion has led people to assign blame for his death, not only to individuals but to entire groups of people. At times it’s been a hotly debated question in the history…
Many considered Jesus of Nazareth one of the greatest leaders who ever lived. He wasn’t a politician, an author, or a soldier, but his teachings have inspired and influenced countless people in the last 2,000 years. Many people want to know how many followers Jesus had when he was on earth. Scholars estimate that Jesus…
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the climactic events of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Gospel writers record the event of the crucifixion in great detail, including the time of day that Jesus was placed on the cross and when he took his last breath. These details help reveal…
The importance of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion for Christians can’t be overstated. His death and resurrection are the climactic events in the four New Testament Gospels. The life of Christ, for Christians and for many non-Christians, is one of endless fascination. One question many people ask is how old Jesus was when he died. Jesus was…
The word “disciple” appears 261 times in the 27 books of the New Testament. It’s one of the most common words associated with Jesus Christ in the Gospels. While “disciple” has the same basic meaning each time it’s used in the Bible, it occasionally describes different people. A “disciple,” which literally means “learner,” is a…
New Testament scholars are in general agreement that the phrase “the law of Christ” is one of the most difficult to interpret in all of Paul’s letters. Even theologians and pastors that have similar positions on most aspects of Christian doctrine, and serve in the same tradition, arrive at different conclusions about what “the law…
The Church of Christ is a conservative, Protestant, Christian denomination that started in America. It has 2,000,000 members and 40,000 churches worldwide. Many people are pleased to attend Churches of Christ every Sunday. However, just as in other denominations, some leave and never return. People leave the Church of Christ because of disillusionment with the…
Jesus Christ loves people. It’s a message that is repeated over and over again in the New Testament. Jesus says he loves people (John 15:9), shows it (John 15:13), and commands others to love as he does (Matt. 22:37-39). But what does the Bible say about how Jesus loved the church? Jesus Christ loved the…
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth are the climactic events in all four New Testament Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all devote significant time and space to the last week of Jesus’ life and provide readers with several details regarding the day, and even the hour, of key moments. A clarification that…
The identity of Jesus of Nazareth still fascinates people, even 2,000 years after his death. Many people are convinced through the Bible’s teaching, prophetic and historical evidence, as well as their personal experience, that Jesus Christ was much more than a poor carpenter from Nazareth. “Deity” is an important word that people use to describe…
The New Testament teaches that Christians are “in Christ” as a result of their salvation. Well-known verses like 2 Corinthians 5:17, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation,” and Romans 8:1, which says there is no condemnation for “those who are in Christ Jesus” reveal this important truth (emphases added). But what…
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John mention the lashings that Jesus received before his crucifixion. Though the Gospel writers mention the whipping, also called flogging or scourging, without much detail, historians know that the punishment was violent, bloody, and likely left Jesus near death. A common question people have about Jesus’ punishment concerns how many lashings…
The word “gospel” is a common New Testament term that Christians also use frequently today. Phrases like “the gospel of Jesus Christ,” “preach the gospel,” and “spread the gospel” are frequently heard in sermons, Bible studies, and worship music. But what does the term actually mean? The gospel, which means “good news,” is the announcement…
Jesus of Nazareth continues to captive people all over the world 2,000 years after he lived on earth. People are interested to know as many details about his life as they can. Scholars of the Gospels are able to sketch a reliable timeline of Jesus’ life with significant detail. This helps answer the question about…
The person of Jesus of Nazareth is the subject of endless fascination even 2,000 years after his life on earth. People want to know what he said, did, believed, and more. His family is also of particular interest, like his parents, Mary and Joseph, and his half-brothers. People also hear the term “bride of Christ”…
Some depictions of the crucifixion, like Mel Gibson’s well-known movie, The Passion of the Christ, include a scene of a woman wiping sweat from the face of Jesus Christ. Various pieces of art in Catholicism, like statues and paintings, also depict a woman making the same gesture. Does the Bible contain this scene? Neither Matthew,…
Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most influential people in world history. Though he was born into a poor family, worked an uncelebrated job as a carpenter, and died in his early 30s, he arguably changed the world like no one else before or after him. Given these facts, people want to know more…
There are many different denominations in the world today and it can sometimes be challenging to understand the beliefs and values of each one. The United Church of Christ sounds similar to other denominations, making it easy for people to confuse it with other organizations. Nevertheless, many people want to know more about its churches….
The crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most pivotal moments in world history. The death of a poor Jewish carpenter during the days of the Roman Empire wouldn’t ordinarily have garnered such attention. Yet, Jesus was anything but ordinary. A key question many people ask about him is why he was crucified….
Quakers are people of strong conviction. Their movement of spiritual devotion, peaceful living, and liberating simplicity dates to the 1600s in England, and has impacted American society as well. Because to outsiders, Quakers sometimes seem “different” or “unique,” many people wonder what they believe. Quakers, also known as the Religious Society of Friends, are traditionally…
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is one of the most important events in the Bible. Jesus’ death on the cross, as well as his resurrection from the dead, are the climactic moments in the New Testament Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John give readers numerous details about these events, including the exact place Jesus was…
People fleeing their country due to war, persecution, or natural disasters have occurred throughout history. Some countries welcome refugees seeking food, clothing, shelter, and protection. Others deny them for different reasons, such as the fear of not having enough resources to share. Reading about Jesus in the Gospels leads some to ask whether or not…