Articles, Bible Questions and Discipleship Guides

Faith and praying in line with God's will are not mutually exclusive. They are intertwined aspects of prayer, each feeding and reinforcing the other. When we pray with faith, we show our reliance on God and our conviction that He will accomplish His will. On the other hand, when we pray in alignment with God's will and for God’s will, our faith is strengthened because we’re praying for what He has promised and purposed. read more

The Bible provides a compelling narrative of pride, rebellion, and the consequences of rejecting God's authority. This article explores the story of how Satan became evil, and its implications for our understanding of the world. read more

This article explores the biblical reasons for God's delay in returning to Earth. It discusses God's mercy, patience, and desire for all people to come to salvation. read more

The Bible teaches that homosexuality is a sin, but it also teaches that all people are sinners in need of God's grace. Christians should respond to people who are struggling with same-sex attraction with love and compassion, and offer them the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ. read more

The Bible asserts that Jesus was Mary's biological son, yet He was without sin. This unique conception allows us to understand how Jesus could be a sinless sacrifice for our sins. read more

The Bible tells us that the return of Christ is "imminent," but we don't know when that will happen. As a result, we can't say for certain what will happen to the United States when Christ returns. However, we can know that God will keep His Word and His plan will be accomplished. read more

The Bible teaches that Satan is a real being who is opposed to God and His people. But where does Satan live? This article explores the biblical answer to this question. read more

There are two words in the Bible that refer to the same place. "Hades" in the New Testament is the same place as "Sheol" in the Old Testament. Hades is the Greek word and Sheol is the Hebrew word. These words refer to the place where the souls of unbelievers are staying as they await their summons to the Great White Throne. Everyone who dies as an unbeliever goes to Hades/Sheol. It is a temporary place of torment for those who have rejected God. read more

Leroy asks, "Jesus Christ promised that His disciples would sit on twelve thrones ruling over Israel when He reigned. (Matthew 19:28-29).... read more

Daniel asks, "When do you think angels were created? ... read more

Jeff asks, "What does 'being filled with the fullness of God' from Ephesians 3 mean?" ... read more

Sabrina asks, "Spurgeon's devotional says, 'Canst thou not remember the hill Mizar?' Is this a real place?" ... read more

Randall asks, "In Revelation 7, is the 144,00 people being marked on their foreheads literal or figurative?" ... read more

When a person dies, their spirit leaves their body and goes to either a place of torment, or a place of great joy and gladness. Human spirits do not roam the earth, they do not haunt people, and they do not appear or speak to people. Anything that appears like that is a deception. read more

In Exodus 20:9, God established the pattern of a seven-day week. Again, He could have created any pattern that He wanted to, but He chose seven days. We are to work for six days of the week. We are to set aside one day for rest and worship. read more

Annette asked: Who were the captives that Jesus led out of captivity? ... read more

Someone asking this question is probably thinking about 1 Samuel 28, when King Saul goes in disguse to meet with a medium, and the dead prophet Samuel appears to them. From this we know that mediums did exist in Israel, despite that warning in Leviticus that they should not be consulted. However, in this one instance, God does allow Saul to speek with the dead. But the passage makes clear this was not done by the power of the human medium; in fact, we read in the passage that when Samuel does appear, "she cried out with a loud voice" (1 Samuel 28:12). In other words, she was surprised! She didn't think Samuel would appear, because she knew she didn't really have this power; she was faking it. read more

Dwight asks, "There are people who use 1 Peter 3:21 to claim that water baptism saves you. Do you think that it's more likely Peter was... read more

Susan asked, "How was God's Word preserved during Judah's exile?" ... read more

Sanctification requires every ounce of diligence on your part to follow Christ’s example. Sanctification requires every bit of power on God’s part in order for you to follow Christ’s example. read more

Laura asked: Who were the Nephilim? ... read more

Pat asks, "In the practice of circumcision, why did God choose the penis as the place of marking? ... read more

Otis asked: Must I tithe on inherited money that has already been tithed? ... read more

Donald asks, "Can a person attend a church and not agree with all that is taught? Are some things important for salvation and others not?" ... read more

The age of accountability is not a fixed age. It varies from child to child. It refers to a level of maturity in which a child is able to understand the gospel and make a decision for or against Jesus. I further believe that some people remain permanently in that state if they are born with a mental disability that prevents them from having an informed response to the gospel. Anyone who dies prior to the age of accountability would be granted entrance into heaven. Everyone in that category will be raptured as well.  read more

This is a difficult truth, but the short answer to your question is no. The Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. It's the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ that saves and transforms lives. This reality should quicken the church to be active in both world missions and Bible translation.  But I'll say a bit more. read more

Meredith asks, "I've heard a pastor who is preaching that prophets are alive and well in this present time. Is this true? ... read more

Sandra asks, "I want to learn how to outline my testimony. Can you help?" ... read more

Thanks for your question.  There is nothing wrong or unbiblical about a church doing an alter call. However, there is no biblical mandate requiring churches to have an alter call.  Some people point to the fact that Jesus calls us to make a public profession of faith in Him as a biblical basis for having an alter call. We need to remember, however, that Jesus instituted baptism for that very purpose. Baptism is an ordinance that Jesus gave the church with the expressed purpose of identifying publicly with Him.  read more

Jerry asks, "When Jesus comes again, will there be any of the elect to go through the Tribulation? Will the anti-Christ come before Jesus... read more

Veronica asks, "Based on Hebrews 10:26, how can someone with an addiction still have a sacrifice for sin if they continue deliberately... read more

Judy asks, "What is the biblical answer regarding women as pastors?" ... read more

Maryann from Columbia asked, "How do you respond to someone who professes to be a believer but doesn't know what to believe in the Bible... read more

One way the word ‘vibe’ seems to be used today is as a synonym for ‘wish.’ Four example, if a person were to end an email to you with the phrase “good vibes,” she is likely trying to say that she thinking about you, and wishing you a good day. read more

The key to understanding this section is verse 25 which says [Jesus] "needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.” In other words, Jesus knew the hearts of the people around him. The crowd was impressed with the miracles Jesus did, but they did not have saving faith in Him.  read more

Dwight asked: How can we balance Abigail's assertiveness, without Nabal's knowledge, with Paul's instructions for wives to submit to their... read more

The book of Revelation is one of the most fascinating and mysterious books in the Bible. It is filled with imagery and symbolism that can be difficult to decipher. One of the most intriguing images in Revelation is the group of 24 elders that appear in several passages throughout the book. In this article, we will explore the identity and significance of the 24 elders in Revelation. read more

Charles asked: Please explain the biblical meaning of "Long Suffering." ... read more

Jermaine asked: What is the sign of the Son of Man that will be seen in Heaven according to Matthew 24:30? ... read more

In Daniel's prophecy of 70 weeks, he refers to destruction that will come with a flood. Does that conflict with the Bible's teaching that God will destroy the world with fire? Stephen Davey answers that question and provides additional insight into the 70 weeks of Daniel. read more

Explore the complex issue of God hardening Pharaoh's heart during the plagues in Egypt, and discover how this relates to the concepts of free will, sin, and God's role in our lives. Gain insights into the biblical perspective on this fascinating topic. read more

The Bible does not give un any instructions on how to perform a wedding ceremony. The very marriage between Adam and Eve was performs by God Himself. He simply declared them to be husband and wife. In fact, there is no description of a marriage ceremony at all in the Bible. That said, the belief that sex is what makes a marriage in God’s eyes is a completely backwards view of God’s vision for marriage. God makes clear that marriage comes first and is followed by intimacy. He made Eve for Adam as his partner before they were joined together. read more

What makes this question an especially difficult one to answer is the fact that Job’s wife, or Mrs. Job as I like to call her, is a largely anonymous biblical figure. She is never named and only speaks briefly in Job 2. Because of that, I cannot give a definitive answer with the authority of God’s Word when it comes to Job’s wife; but I do believe that Job’s wife at the end of the book of Job is the same woman as at the beginning. I believe Mrs. Job experienced all the suffering of Job—along with her own suffering—and was restored with Job to fullness of life at the end of the book. While some Hebrew tradition contends that Job’s wife was Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, we cannot know for sure. Historical evidence does indicate that Job lived around the same time as Jacob, but there is no clear biblical evidence that he married Dinah. read more

Sudhakar asks, Is it right or wrong for believers to be married some place other than a church? ... read more

Janet, I'll unpack this for you a little bit. I believe that Jesus was crucified on Thursday and not Friday. Mark 15:42-43 tell us that Jesus body was taken down from the cross in the evening because the Sabbath was approaching. Because the normal Sabbath is on Saturday, most people believe that Jesus must have been crucified on Friday. However, the weekly Sabbath on Saturday is not the only Sabbath. According to Leviticus 23, there was a “high Sabbath” observed during the week of the Passover. The Jews were to rest on that day, just as they would rest on a normal Saturday Sabbath. read more

John, thank you for your question and I appreciate the way you carefully and diligently read God’s Word. There are two different Mephibosheths mentioned in 2 Samuel 21:7-9. The passage starts with God affirming that David did in fact spare Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, “because of the oath of the LORD that was between them” (2 Samuel 21:7). read more

While the Bible does not give us clarity on this question, there are inferences we can make. One is an inference from the grammar and the other is an inference by omission. In Esther 2:8, the Hebrew verb “to take” is used to describe Esther being taken into the palace to participate in the king’s contest. Some people have argued that this means she was taken without her consent and against her will. read more

Thank you for your question! Praying in the Spirit is an attitude and fervency toward prayer that all believers can and should utilize in their prayer lives on a regular basis. Praying or speaking in tongues is a specific spiritual gift given by God for specific people during a specific time and for a specific purpose. We know that praying in the Spirit is not a specific spiritual gift, because the apostles command all believers to pray in the Spirit. Jude instructs all believers in “Building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20). read more

Corporate prayer matters in churches today as we seek to follow the example of Old and New Testament believers and follow the example of Jesus Himself. In many instances in both the Old and New Testaments, we see a spiritual leader praying publicly before a congregation. Solomon does so during the temple dedication in 1 Kings 8 and the first century church prayed together many times, including in Acts 4:24. When Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before His crucifixion, he took his disciples with Him and urged them to pray with and for Him that night; yet the disciples all fell asleep. read more

For the Christian, we know that animal sacrifices ended at the moment of Jesus’ death, when the temple curtain was torn in two. That moment signified the final, once-for-all sacrifice of the innocent lamb, Jesus Christ, that replaced the need for animal sacrifices at the temple. In the Old Testament, only a priest could offer sacrifices and they could only be carried out at the temple in Jerusalem. But the apostle Peter encourages us that through Jesus, all believers are “a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). read more