Ask a Bible Teacher

How Will We Recognize Them?

Published: January 2, 2025
Q

How will we recognize our loved ones in heaven? Will they have the same facial looks that they had on earth? I know that they are spirits but I am a bit confused on this topic. We have spoken about this topic at work and no one really knows the answer!


Does Might Mean Maybe?

Published: January 2, 2025
Q

Re: the word “might”. This word is used in some versions of the Bible as in,’that through Him we MIGHT be saved.’ There are many other examples, i.e. ‘that we MIGHT become the Sons of God’, etc. What is the exact meaning in these instances of the use of this word? Many believers that I know think that it God is saying that these are not solid promises because might, to them, means ‘MAYBE, or it’s possible, but that it is not a sure thing. How to explain??


How Old Was Jesus When The Magi Arrived?

Published: January 2, 2025
Q

I thank the Lord for the joy that I always feel about your site. It is indeed blessed by the Holy Spirit because it makes us praise His glorious name always in the knowledge that we learned from your site.

I read one article from (another website) stating that our Lord Jesus was probably 2 years old or at least near to that age when the Wise Men arrived. The writer cited Luke and Mathew as a reference. Can you please explain further so that we can understand better?

What I understand before, a few days after Mary delivered our Lord Jesus, the wise men came and then a few days later they escaped to Egypt. But it contradicts to His dedication at the temple when He was 8 days old. Was He dedicated at the Bethlehem temple? Did they stay in Bethlehem long or return back? Did they return back to Nazareth after the dedication?


Losing The Joy Of Our Salvation

Published: December 25, 2024
Q

I was having dinner with my (Christian) sister last night and started to tell her about something funny a pastor said, and she said that was wrong to say. She becomes smug about Christian beliefs. Her husband told her she was being self-righteous. She was saved before me so I get the impression that she thinks she’s a “better” Christian.

The same sister has another daughter who was married a year ago to a man with the last name of “Butts”. They are all Christians. She got together with them and had a picture taken with their backs to the camera, half bending over but looking at the camera. It says “Merry Christmas….from the Butts”. I think it’s cute but my sister thinks it’s unbiblical. She said the butt is a sexual part of the body and they should not have done that. She likened it to Sodom and Gomorrah. I think this is really stretching it and I don’t see anything wrong with the picture. What do you think?


Why Did God Judge Eve, Follow Up

Published: December 25, 2024
Q

In your Ask a Bible Teacher section, I came upon this question, Why Did God Judge Eve First? and have a question of my own.

In Genesis 3:6 – “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”

Does “with her” mean at the time of her conversation with the serpent? If Adam was with her, had he not already sinned by allowing her to eat of the fruit?


Tis The Season, Follow Up

Published: December 24, 2024
Q

The time of Jesus birth was at the Fall Feast of Tabernacles. ( He tabernacles with us, God with us, His name Emanuel, God with us) Not The Jewish new year. He was born in a booth that was commanded from God that the Jews do during the feast of booths. The table inside the booth that they put the holy bread on is called a manger. (Jesus, bread of life placed on a table, manger) Just wanted you to know so we can more accurately celebrate our Wonderful Lord!


Why Did Jesus Visit Hell And Who Were The Herods?

Published: December 24, 2024
Q

I really enjoy your site. I have 2 questions. First, why did Jesus descend into hell before his resurrection? Second, in a National Geographic issue, there is an article on Herod. Was there more than one Herod, and if so, when did each of them live? Thank you for your work.


Daniel, Luke, And Gabriel

Published: December 24, 2024
Q

Our family has been reading through Daniel (because one of my son’s favorite story is there) and also through Luke (because of the season). My question to you is What is the significance of Gabriel (called by name) being the messenger in both books? Any other insight you have about these two books relationships would also be appreciated.

Thanks for all of your blessing to us and I pray that God blesses you abundantly also.


A Selfish God?

Published: December 23, 2024
Q

I have been reading your posts this week. I am not completely satisfied with the answer that several have asked. I am not interested in the answers that have been given. I know we are given free will and all that. But I feel the question has not been answered in full. God knew before the foundations of the earth everything that was going to happen. Then why would he create this world knowing some would go to hell. To me this is a selfish God, and much like us.


What Did Jesus Write?

Published: December 23, 2024
Q

I have a question which I have always wondered about. When the woman caught in adultery was about to be stoned, the Bible says that Jesus wrote something in the dirt. What was it that he wrote, and why did He do that? Thank you very much for your answer to this question and to all the other questions that you have answered for me and so many others through your daily posts.