Posts Tagged ‘terminology’
Is it supposed to be brothers or brothers and sisters?
Question: Hi Jeff, In Acts 6:3, some translations say brethren, some say brothers, and some say brothers and sisters. Which one is correct? Did the men of the congregation choose the seven or was it the whole congregation? Thank you. Answer: Like many languages, the male gender of words is used when talking about a…
Read MoreDoes God sometimes show favoritism?
Question: In Acts 10:34-35, Peter said, “I now realize God does not show favoritism but accepts men who fear him and do what is right”. I believe sometimes God shows favoritism. In Romans 9:13 and Malachi 1:2-3, it is written: “Jacob I love, Esau I hated.” Here God favored Jacob even with all the sins…
Read MoreAre the church and the kingdom the same thing?
Question: Are the church and the kingdom the same thing? Answer: Often the Bible explains things through multiple words whenever one word is insufficient to fully describe what is meant. After all, the Bible is trying to describe a world that we cannot touch or see. For example, Jesus is described as the good shepherd,…
Read MoreDoes “the Lord” in Amos 7 refer to Jesus?
Question: Hey Mr. Jeffery, I noticed in the vision in Amos 7 that Amos had at two different times referred to God as the Lord (no caps and not as Jehovah). It also appears that Amos is visually seeing the Lord (no one has ever seen Jehovah fully), so could that have been Jesus holding…
Read MoreIs the word “church” pagan in origin?
Question: I recently read something saying that the word “church” is pagan in origin, and it gives honor to the daughter of some sun god. I was able to find basically two different ideas on where the word comes from. Some say from “circe” which would have meant circle or been the name of this…
Read MoreIs there any difference between trials, temptations, and persecution?
Question: Hi Jeff, Is there any difference between trials, temptations, and persecution? Thanks. Answer: In English, a trial is any difficult situation, including temptations and persecution. Temptation is when you desire something but realize that to get what you want, you would have to break a law of God. Persecution is when others make life…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to “suppress the truth in unrighteousness”?
Question: Good afternoon, Jeffrey. I’ve been meaning to ask for a while now what it means to “suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” It’s something that gets said about atheists quite a bit. For the longest, in regards to Yahweh, I’ve thought it meant pretending He doesn’t exist for the sake of being able to sin…
Read MoreCan you explain some of these terms related to the Lord’s Supper?
Question: Please explain the following biblical terms to me. I sometimes get confused by these. Feast of Passover Last supper Lord’s supper Communion Unleavened bread Answer: Feast of the Passover This was to be observed on the fourteenth day of the first month (Leviticus 23:5). Preparation began on the tenth day of this same month…
Read MoreWhat exactly is sodomy?
Question: What exactly is sodomy? My understanding is that it is oral sex with either the same sex or between man and wife, but I have had many arguments with other people who say oral sex is OK between married people. This is such an embarrassing topic, but I really want to hear your opinion.…
Read MoreWhat does “countenance” mean?
Question: Genesis 4:4 says, “and Cain was very angry and his countenance fell.” Is countenance holiness? Does this scripture mean that anger can cause us to lose our holiness? Answer: “Countenance” is your facial expression. “His countenance fell” is another way of saying he started frowning. Question: Numbers 6:24-26 says, “may the countenance of God…
Read MoreHow can Jesus be coming soon when it has been 2,000 years?
Question: Didn’t Jesus say that he would return soon? In this case, Jesus said something would happen shortly, but it hasn’t happened for over 2,000 years. What would be the difference between these two statements? Answer: In a discussion related to the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus did promise that he would bring that destruction within…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to confess Christ before men?
Question: Hey Jeffrey, I hope all is well with you. Thank you for always answering my questions with sound Bible doctrine. It has helped me a lot. I have a question about confessing Jesus before men. I was reading Matthew 10:32-33 and I would like to know exactly what Jesus means? I confessed Jesus before…
Read MoreDoes ‘this form of doctrine’ in Romans 6:17 refers to a type?
Question: Good day, Does ‘this form of doctrine’ in Romans 6:17 refers to a type? This means things we do now will only get their true meaning in heaven. Answer: Good to hear from you! “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that…
Read MoreI’m Not a Scholar, But …
by Doy Moyer It’s interesting to me how we sometimes couch our arguments with disclaimers that may end up casting doubt upon the very arguments we are trying to make. I tend to get a little suspicious of the argument when someone starts that way (including my own). Now that doesn’t necessarily mean that the…
Read MoreFirst the Natural, Then the Spiritual
by Terry W. Benton I Corinthians 15:46 speaks of the natural body being first, and then at the resurrection, the spiritual body takes over. But, that change follows the already established principle found in the nature of the Old Testament versus the New Testament. We see a pattern form that demonstrates God’s plan and confirms…
Read MoreWhat does “This thing is from Me” mean?
Question: My sister was in jail and while there she took an interest in religion. But when she got out of jail, she no longer has any interest in Bible study or religion. That makes me sad. Only when she was locked up and away from distractions was she focused on our Lord. As for…
Read MoreWhat does “the fullness of Christ” mean?
Question: I thank you for the website. I’ve gotten a better understanding of some things. I am writing you because I don’t quite understand when the Scriptures say “the fullness of God” or “the fullness of Christ” in Colossians 2:9; Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:19; Romans 15:29 and John 1:16. Answer: “Fullness” means to fill up…
Read MoreWhat does Jesus mean by “either in this age or in the age to come”?
Question: In Matthew 12:32 what does the phrase “either in this age or in the age to come” mean? Why in this age? Answer: Biblical history can be viewed as divided into three ages (long, indeterminate periods of time). Patriarchal Age – This was the time when the head of the family (the patriarch) was…
Read MoreWhat Is “Lawlessness”?
by Jefferson David Tant In a well-known New Testament passage, Christ addresses a misconception that many had in that day, which is also held by many today. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will…
Read MoreWhat are watchmen?
Question: Hello Mr. Jeffrey, I have a question: In Psalms 130:1-8, “My soul waits for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.” Who are these watchmen? What are they doing? Answer: Watchmen were a part of a city’s guard. They would patrol the city walls…
Read MoreWhy is the Temple called a house of prayer?
Question: Can you tell me what the phrase “house of prayer” means from Matthew 21:13? Is this word used as a synecdoche or is it meant to mean literal “prayer?” If prayer was not the only thing they did at the temple, could this word have been used to mean a house of ‘worship?’ Answer:…
Read MoreWhat did Jesus mean when he said, “my reward is with me”?
Question: What did Jesus mean when he said, “my reward is with me”? Answer: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). Imagine someone tells you that he is going to give you $100 … that is, right after…
Read MoreWhy did God say the woman’s desire would be for her husband when men seem to have the stronger sexual desire for the woman?
Question: One thing I have never understood is that God told Eve, the woman, that her desire would be for her husband, Adam, the man. Yet, it is a man’s desire for a woman — physically, romantically, and sexually — that has always been much stronger than a woman’s is for a man. As evidenced by…
Read MoreWhat is the meaning of “life” in II Peter 1:3?
Question: What does “life” mean in: “has given onto us all things that pertain to life and godliness”? Answer: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge…
Read MoreWas the term “Christian” originally a derogatory reference?
Question: By your teaching the disciples were first called “Christians” at Antioch of Syria, which is true; however, who at Antioch was calling them this term and why? It was a derogatory term toward them, my friend. Then again by King Agrippa, another pagan. Then one other time this name is mentioned by Peter only…
Read MoreHow can all who call on the Lord be saved when Jesus said that not all who call his name will be saved?
Question: Recently someone said they found a contradiction in the New Testament. They said Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 say that all who call in the name of the Lord will be saved. Then Matthew 7:21 says that not all who call upon him will be saved. Then in Acts 2:39, it says that only…
Read MoreWhat is the biblical definition of marriage?
Question: What is the biblical definition of marriage according to both the Old and New Testaments? Answer: Marriage is a special covenant entered into between a man and a woman for the purpose of establishing a new family. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his…
Read MoreWhat is meant by the ignorant and unstable would twist Scriptures to their own destruction?
Question: What was Peter talking about in II Peter 3:16 when he said that the ignorant and unstable would twist scriptures to their destruction? Answer: “And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation–as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all…
Read MoreDoes the word “commandments” always refer to the Ten Commandments?
Question: Hi, I have read your response about the Ten Commandments issue and Jesus’ commandments. It seems that you are making good points in your explanation. However, a friend of mine explained this verse to me. And I think he has good points, too. Will you please check his arguments for me? I will appreciate it.…
Read MoreWhat is the Christian’s new name?
Question: When we accepted Christ we were given a new name and identity. What is our now or name? Answer: The phrase “new name” is only stated three times in the Bible: “The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of…
Read MoreAre there five doctrines of angels?
Question: I told someone in our Bible study recently that “eternal security” is a doctrine. She said no, that doctrines are doctrines of angels, about five or so in number. What do you think about this? Answer: Doctrine means “teachings.” “For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law” (Proverbs 4:2). There is…
Read MoreIsn’t it wrong to use passages from the Kings to help define a word in Job?
Question: Dear sir, I happened onto your website in search of a definition of the intent of the word “curse” as used in Job. I do have a question for you. If the book of Job was written before the Levitical priesthood was established, which would explain why Job, himself, made offrerings for his children,…
Read MoreIs Zion only the church here on earth?
Question: Can you comment on Zion, Zion, I long thy gates to see. Some say it is not scriptural because Zion is the church in every sense, and never heaven, as it seems in the song. Thanks for your consideration. I wish to be accurate when I sing a song, but I love this song!…
Read MoreWhy shouldn’t “only in the Lord” mean only marry a Christian?
Question: I want to thank you for the lesson Because of the Present Distress. My concern is that of the widow’s decision in I Corinthians 7:39-40. If Paul was not categorical about the term “only in the Lord” as to marrying only a Christian, contrasting your earlier lesson on marriage where you took to the…
Read MoreThere is a difference between immorality and sex
Question: You answered a question on your site regarding men seeking prostitutes and quoted Proverbs 7:24-27 as the answer. However, that verse was denouncing an adulterous woman behaving like a prostitute. Why didn’t you offer a better example as the young man asking the question had a very serious dilemma about the sex drive of…
Read MoreDoesn’t Matthew 6:17 tell us to anoint ourselves?
Question: Hi, I am a member of the church in Indiana. I was studying this morning about fasting and like always, I drifted off into another topic (I’m sure this happens to you also and many Christians). That’s one reason why God’s Word is so good because you can never have enough. As I stated,…
Read MoreIs being implacable condemned?
Question: Is being implacable condemned in Romans 1:31? “Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful” (Romans 1:31, KJV) “Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful” (Romans 1:31, ASV) Thanks for your time. Answer: The Greek word aspondous (irreconcilable) doesn’t appear in all the manuscripts. Because it also appears in a similar list in II Timothy…
Read MoreWhat is “Sexual Immorality” in Matthew 19:9?
by Kyle Butt, M.A. via Apologetics Press Copied by permission. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible repeatedly stresses the fact that God designed the institution of marriage (Genesis 2:22-25). He has, from the beginning of human history, given very specific ideas about what composes a divinely approved marriage (Matthew 19:1-4), consisting of one man and one woman.…
Read MoreWhat is God’s Will?
Question: Hi, Just a quick note to say I really enjoy your website. I find it very helpful. Quick question: In Matthew 7:21 Jesus talks about only those who do God’s will get to enter heaven. Have you written on this verse before that I could go back and read somewhere? I guess the question…
Read MoreAre the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God different?
Question: In the article entitled “The Church Is the Kingdom”, it is proposed that the kingdom and the Church are the same. I agree that the kingdom “of God” is the church, but I assume you would also assert that the Church and the kingdom “of Heaven” are the same thing also. If that is…
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