Content on Genesis 21:9
38 results
-
What Are the New Heavens and New Earth?
There are two views concerning the meaning of the phrase "new heavens and new earth." Since they represent opposing viewpoints, one of them must be false. The phrase indicates that heaven could be a new, literal, physical Earth or simply a figurative way of referring to heaven itself. The Premill...
-
Did All Christians in the First Century Possess Miraculous Gifts?
First, no evidence shows that anyone other than the apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. They had been promised that blessing (see Acts 1:5, 8). The only other exception was to the household of Cornelius, in fulfillment of Joel's prophecy, as a divine token th...
-
What Is Bible “Inspiration”?
The Bible makes a claim that most books do not. It claims to be from God. Some books, both ancient and modern, also claim a divine origin. However, unlike other books that make the claim, the Bible’s claim is true. When we say the Bible is inspired, several factors must be considered. First, “ins...
-
Do the Scriptures Authorize Multiple Cups?
Sincere though these people are, their approach to the Scriptures in this regard is flawed. When the New Testament speaks of the cup in observing communion, it is not the literal container that is being referred to. Instead, it is the contents (i.e., the fruit of the vine) that are emphasized. Th...
-
Is It Appropriate to Worship Jesus?
It's not surprising that some cultists, who deny the deity of Christ, avoid worshiping the Lord. What's shocking is that some—who are quite sincere, but should know better and hopefully will learn better—are expressing opposition to the idea that Christ is worthy of worship. For example, one man ...
-
Should Christians Pray for the Forgiveness of Their Sins?
Many sincere Bible students frequently misunderstand this passage. It is also a source of some division. Let's explore the meaning. Walking in the Light First, 1 John 1:7 teaches that we have ongoing forgiveness only so long as we "walk in the light." Part of that "light" shows that we petition G...
-
What About Social Drinking and the Old Testament?
My first impression is that such a suggestion reflects the disposition of a carnal mind that is seeking justification for worldliness! I must observe, however, that such a view of this passage is not uncommon, even among Bible commentators. For example, C. H. Waller wrote: "From this it is clear ...
-
How Can the Church Be the Fulfillment of Daniel 2:44?
The prophecy in Daniel 2:44 says: “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.” Some may speculate...
-
Did God Reward Midwives for Lying?
First of all, the midwives may have told the truth. It may have been that the Hebrew women, fearing the king’s commandment, did not call for the midwives in a timely way. Second, one is not obligated to disclose everything one knows. Withholding information is not necessarily a falsehood (cf. Luk...
-
What about Braided Hair?
In Paul's letter to Timothy, he instructs his young protege to teach: “that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works (1 Ti...
-
Must Terminally Ill Christians Artificially Prolong Life?
Life-and-death issues are among the most difficult decisions we may ever have to make. This is a question many are facing, especially as medical treatments and technology can extend life beyond what the body can sustain on its own. Since the Bible does not provide specific answers to many questio...
-
Buy a Sword?
Several observations regarding this matter are in order. First, one cannot take a passage that presents a difficulty and set it against an almost encyclopedic collection of information that leads to an opposite conclusion. That isn’t a legitimate approach to biblical interpretation, and it reveal...
-
Was Potential Sin by Christ Prophesied?
The answer to this question lies in understanding some important features of biblical prophecy. Some Prophecies Had Dual Applications There are prophecies in the Old Testament that have a dual application. That is, they have a rather immediate application to a more temporal circumstance. Then, th...
-
Is Fasting for Christians Today?
Fasting, in the biblical sense, is the abstaining from food and drink for a spiritual reason.. In the Old Testament era, the Jews fasted frequently, though only one fast was prescribed by the law. Once each year on the Day of Atonement, the Hebrews were to afflict their souls (Lev. 16:31), which ...
-
What Is A Cappella Music?
The phrase a cappella derives from a Latin expression that, via Italian, means “in the style of the church” or “as is done in the church.” It reflects the historical reality that instrumental music in Christian worship was not practiced for many centuries, and that its rather late introduction co...
-
What Do the Two Beasts of Revelation 13 Represent?
Let’s address these questions one at a time. What Is the First Beast Coming Up from the Sea in Revelation 13? As I noted in my book, Revelation: Christ’s Final Message of Hope, the first beast in Revelation 13, emerging from the “sea,” is widely regarded as a symbol of pagan Rome’s civil power. B...
-
Is Taking an Oath in Court or Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance Forbidden?
First, let me point out that the term "swear," as employed in our modern society, has two distinct senses. It is used as an equivalent for profanity, which, of course, no Christian should ever use. The term "swear" may also refer to a legal oath. The question above concerns this latter usage. Is ...
-
The Gospel Writers and Their Quotations from Jesus
This is a good question, but the alleged problem is not of serious import. Let us consider the following factors. General Principles First, it has long been recognized that when referring to another's audible use of language or written words, it is not necessary to quote verbatim to accurately re...
