Isaiah 45:7 in the King James Version reads, “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.” How does Isaiah 45:7 agree with the view that God did not create evil? There are two key facts that need to be considered. (1) The word translated “evil” is from… Continue reading Why does Isaiah 45:7 say that God created evil?
Category: Bible Q&As
Is it wrong to have pictures of Jesus?
When God first gave His Law to mankind, He began with a statement of who He is: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt” (Exodus 20:2) with a warning that Israel was to have no other God but Him. He immediately followed that by forbidding the making of any image… Continue reading Is it wrong to have pictures of Jesus?
What Does It Mean to Be Baptized with the Holy Spirit?
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. (Acts 2:4) Being filled with the Spirit must be distinguished from being baptized with the Spirit. The apostle Paul carefully defines the baptism with the Spirit as that act of Christ by which He places… Continue reading What Does It Mean to Be Baptized with the Holy Spirit?
How can I know God’s will for my life?
Question: “How can I know God’s will for my life? What does the Bible say about knowing God’s will?” Answer: It is important to know God’s will. Jesus said that His true relations are those who know and do the Father’s will: “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:35). In… Continue reading How can I know God’s will for my life?
Does Everyone Inherit Sin from Adam and Eve?
Adam and Eve were created by God and originally lived in the Garden of Eden apart from sin. In Genesis 3, the serpent (Satan) tempted Eve and she and Adam ate from the fruit of the tree from which God commanded them not to eat. They received judgment from God, including physical death, and then had… Continue reading Does Everyone Inherit Sin from Adam and Eve?
What Does It Mean to “Work Out Your Salvation”?
work out your salvation with fear and trembling; (Philippians 2 2:12e) The fifth motive for believers’ working out their sanctification is understanding the consequences of sin. Although God is loving, merciful, and forgiving, He nevertheless holds believers accountable for disobedience. Like John, Paul understood well that “if we say that we have no sin, we… Continue reading What Does It Mean to “Work Out Your Salvation”?
Why is there an entire book of the Bible dedicated to romantic love?
Some people believe that the subject matter of the Song of Solomon—romantic love—is not a very noble theme. Some try to allegorize the book in order to provide it with a “higher” or more “spiritual” purpose. But what is “low” or “unspiritual” about the love between a husband and wife? The Song of Solomon is… Continue reading Why is there an entire book of the Bible dedicated to romantic love?
Is suffering for Christ always part of following Him?
The short answer to this question is: yes, suffering will always be a part of following Christ. 2 Timothy 3:12 says that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Jesus was hated and suffered greatly, and as His followers, we will experience the same: “If the world hates you, know… Continue reading Is suffering for Christ always part of following Him?
Blessed Are the Poor . . . But Why?
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3) Ptochos (poor) is from a verb meaning “to shrink, cower, or cringe,” as beggars often did in that day. Classical Greek used the word to refer to a person reduced to total destitution, who crouched in a corner begging. As he held… Continue reading Blessed Are the Poor . . . But Why?
What is circumcision of the heart?
Question: “What is circumcision of the heart?” Answer:The idea of “circumcision of the heart” is found in Romans 2:29. It refers to having a pure heart, separated unto God. Paul writes, “A Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.” These words conclude a… Continue reading What is circumcision of the heart?