Do We Have Authority to Forgive Sin?

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Matthew 6:12) Opheilema (debts) is one of five New Testament Greek terms for sin. Hamartia is the most common and carries the root idea of missing the mark. Sin misses the mark of God’s standard of righteousness. Paraptoma, often rendered “trespass,” is the sin of slipping or… Continue reading Do We Have Authority to Forgive Sin?

Published
Categorized as Bible Q&As

Why Names Are So Important In The Bible – And So Is Yours

Names are deeply important to human beings, a crucial way of understanding not just the world around us, but each other. A surname roots us in history and family tradition, while first names establish more particular identity and personality; you may become quite attached to your name, or you may wish you were called something… Continue reading Why Names Are So Important In The Bible – And So Is Yours

Published
Categorized as Bible Q&As

Only God can restore our souls.

Question: “How can I restore my soul?” Answer: The only biblical passage that contains this phrase is Psalm 23:3: “He restores my soul.” This is in the context of the Shepherd who leads His sheep to “green pastures,” “quiet waters” and “paths of righteousness.” As Christians, we are the sheep of God’s pasture (Psalm 100:3), and… Continue reading Only God can restore our souls.

Published
Categorized as Bible Q&As

Why did Jesus call the Canaanite woman a dog?

In Matthew 15:21–28, Jesus encounters a Canaanite (Syrophoenician) woman who begs Him to cure her daughter. Jesus initially refuses her request by saying, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs” (Matthew 15:26). Taken out of context, and especially in English, it’s easy to mistake this for an insult.… Continue reading Why did Jesus call the Canaanite woman a dog?

What can we learn from the prayers that Jesus prayed?

The prayers Jesus prayed give us insight into His nature, His heart, and His mission on earth. The prayers of Jesus also inform and encourage us in our own prayer lives. Far more important than where He prayed, when He prayed, and in what position He prayed is the fact that He prayed. The theme… Continue reading What can we learn from the prayers that Jesus prayed?