We all know the Christmas story as told in the Gospels. Mary and Joseph travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem where they find shelter in a stable because there’s no room at the inn. There Jesus is born and the shepherds, angels and wise men visit before Mary and Joseph have to escape Herod and flee… Continue reading Why do Matthew and Luke have different Nativity stories?
Category: Bible Q&As
What’s the History Behind Gift-Giving on Christmas?
One of the most well-known and religiously kept traditions of the Christmas season is the giving of gifts. But when did this practice start and what prompted it? Is it really something worth doing or is its background call for us to stop practicing it all together? The most popular notion is that the tradition… Continue reading What’s the History Behind Gift-Giving on Christmas?
Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25?
December 25 is the traditional anniversary of the birth of Christ, but most scholars are unsure about the true date for Christ’s birth.[1] For the first few centuries of Christianity, Christmas was not celebrated and lacked a specific date. After all, the Bible does not give a specific birth date for Jesus. What is probably… Continue reading Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25?
Who was Jair in the Bible?
Jair (Hebrew: יָאִיר Yā’īr, “he enlightens”) was the eighth Judge of Israel. He ruled twenty-two years the death of Tola. His account recorded in Judges 10:3-5. 3 He was followed by Jair of Gilead, who led Israel twenty-two years. 4 He had thirty sons, who rode thirty donkeys. They controlled thirty towns in Gilead, which to this day… Continue reading Who was Jair in the Bible?
Why did Jesus speak in Parables?
It has been said that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. The Lord Jesus frequently used parables as a means of illustrating profound, divine truths. Stories such as these are easily remembered, the characters bold, and the symbolism rich in meaning. Parables were a common form of teaching in Judaism. Before a certain… Continue reading Why did Jesus speak in Parables?
Who was Tola in the Bible?
Tola (Hebrew: תּוֹלָע, means “Crimson worm” or “scarlet stuff” ) was the seventh Judge of Israel. He judged Israel for 23 years after Abimelech died. He lived at Shamir in Mount Ephraim, where he was also buried. He was succeeded by Jair. Of all the biblical judges, the least is written about Tola. None of his deeds are recorded. The entire… Continue reading Who was Tola in the Bible?
Who was Gideon in the Bible?
Gid´eon (גַּדְעוֹן , tree-feller, destroyer), also named Jerubbaal or Jerubbesheth, is the fifth Judge in Israel, and the first of them whose history is circumstantially narrated. 1. His Family and Home Also named Jerubbaal ( Judges 6:32 ) and Jerubbesheth ( 2 Samuel 11:21 ), youngest son of Joash, of the clan of Abiezer in the tribe of Manasseh. His home was… Continue reading Who was Gideon in the Bible?
Who Were the Wise Men(Magi) in the Bible?
Few biblical stories are as well known, yet so clouded by myth and tradition, as that of the magi, or wise men, mentioned by Matthew. During the Middle Ages legend developed that they were kings, that they were three in number, and that their names were Casper, Balthazar, and Melchior. Because they were thought to represent… Continue reading Who Were the Wise Men(Magi) in the Bible?
Who was Jason in the Bible?
jā´sun ( Ἰάσων , Iásōn ) is a Greek name assumed by Jews who bore the Hebrew name Joshua. This name is mentioned twice in the New Testament. (1) Jason was the host of Paul during his stay in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5-9), and, during the uproar organized by the Jews, who were moved to jealousy by the success of Paul… Continue reading Who was Jason in the Bible?
Should Christians Play the Lottery?
Personally, I don’t see gambling as a legitimate expression of my stewardship of what God has given to me. There is no verse in the Bible that explicitly says, “Do not gamble.”(Somebody always says [referring to Acts 1], “Well, I mean, even the disciples cast lots. ”Right. That was a means by which they were… Continue reading Should Christians Play the Lottery?