Tag Archives: jesus

Does the Blood of Animal Sacrifices Take Away Sin?

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Answering 439 Bible Contradictions 

Answer: The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament only symbolized the need for Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice, to take away sin.

Problem: Dozens of passages in Leviticus say that animal sacrifices made “atonement” and forgave sin (e.g. Lv. 4:31, 35), while Hebrews 10 says it is “impossible” for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (v. 4).

Explanation: In the Old Testament, a holy God established the sacrificial system to show that He would forgive sinners that had repented in their hearts (Num. 15:27-28). The various blood sacrifices never contained the power to remove or forgive sins but rather pictured the purging of sin as the animals were burnt upon the altar. The death of an animal showed the seriousness of sin. Continue reading →

The Danger of Date-setters

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–– Paul Schlehlein

The audio version of this article is available here: YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

Recently, a man from South Africa named Joshua Mhlakela predicted that the rapture of the church would occur between September 23-24 of this year. He made this claim after supposedly receiving a vision about Christ’s return. In his TV interview, which has since received hundreds of thousands of views, Mhlakela claimed to be a “billion per cent sure” the Lord would return on those dates, though the dates continue to change. South African singer-turned preacher Danie Botha made a similar false claim about the Lord’s return.

Continue reading →

Is Childbearing Sinful?

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Answering 439 Bible Contradictions 

Answer: No, childbearing is honorable and women that embrace feminine roles like motherhood give evidence of genuine conversion.

Problem: Genesis 1:28 commands fruitfulness and 1 Timothy 2:15 promises salvation through “childbearing”, while Leviticus 12 implies a woman has sinned by giving birth.

Explanation: Women should prize their childbearing years. Within this two-decade window, God has made women capable of bringing an immortal soul into the world. Genesis 1:28 commanded Adam and Eve: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.” The modern world rejects fruitfulness by lauding homosexuality, delayed marriage, unrestrained birth control, vasectomies, and abortion. Continue reading →

Who Makes People Deaf and Blind?

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Answering 439 Bible Contradictions 

Answer: God decrees all things that come to pass, including the sufferings of His creatures.

Problem: Mark 9:17 says a demon made a father’s son mute and deaf, but Exodus 4:11 says God makes man mute, deaf, and blind.

Explanation: The illustration of a billiard player will help answer this apparent contradiction—“apparent” since at first glance there seems to be real disagreements in the Bible but upon reflection there actually are none.

A billiard player takes his stick, strikes the cue ball, and pockets the eight-ball perfectly. This pictures God’s decrees. He stands behind everything that comes to pass. The Baptist Confession defines God’s decree thus: “God hath decreed in himself, from all eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass.” Continue reading →

Is the Day of the Lord at Hand?

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Answering 439 Bible Contradictions 

Answer: Yes, the Day of the LORD draws nearer and nearer, though God’s final judgment of sinners has not yet happened.

Problem: First Thessalonians 4:15-17 suggests an imminent return of Christ, while 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3 suggests it may already have happened.

Explanation: The Day of the Lord refers to Jesus’ future judgement of sinners. The Second Coming refers to Jesus’ future, bodily return to earth. These are not exactly the same event, though they are connected. Continue reading →

On What Did Jesus Ride into Jerusalem?

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Answering 439 Bible Contradictions 

Answer: Jesus rode upon a young, male donkey into Jerusalem.

Problem: One text of Scripture mentions two donkeys, whereas three other passages reference only one.

Explanation: Jesus prepares for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem in the fashion of Zechariah 9:9, which prophesies that the Messiah will come riding on a donkey—specifically a colt, which is a young male donkey.

Although at this time Jesus had reached the climax of his popularity, He knew the crowds were fickle. In a matter of moments they would cry “Hosanna” (save now), but within days the same crowd would roar “crucify” (kill now). Continue reading →

Should You Answer a Fool According to His Folly?

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Answering 439 Bible Contradictions 

Answer: Sometimes a wise man should respond to a fool in order to protect the truth, while at other times he should ignore foolish arguments to avoid similar idiotic behavior.

Problem: Proverbs 26:4 forbids answering a fool, while the next verse insists we respond to him.

Explanation: When responding to an idiot, there are two key principles to follow.

First, you should never respond to a fool if it means lowering yourself to his biblically immoral and foolish behavior. Even if you win the argument, if you’ll end up looking like him, don’t do it.

When a driver with road rage rolls down his window and shout insults, don’t respond in kind. If your neighbor squeals his tires while passing your house each morning, don’t gather your buddies to go drag racing by his home. Don’t lie about atheism because he lied about Christianity. You’ll look like a bonehead just like him. Continue reading →

How Long Does God’s Anger Last?

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Answering 439 Bible Contradictions

Answer: God’s anger upon his children is temporary, while His wrath up His enemies will carry on forever.

Problem: Some passages say God’s anger lasts but for a moment, while other Scriptures teach God’s wrath is eternal.

Explanation: The nature, intensity, and extent of God’s wrath differs depending on which of His two audiences He is addressing. In the first case, God limits His anger towards His children, whom He loves. Psalm 30:5 illustrates this: “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

Plagues came on Jerusalem because of King David’s sins. But once repentance followed, God’s wrath was brief because He is merciful and slow to anger. Saints of old often spoke of God’s judgment in terms of a rod, a switch God uses to discipline His children the way a father would his son. But when his boy sheds a tear and asks for pardon, the father embraces him. Thus, Spurgeon could say: “God puts up his rod with great readiness as soon as its work is done.” Continue reading →

Did Jesus Tell His Disciples Everything?

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Answering 439 Bible Contradictions

Answer: Jesus told His disciples everything they could bear, though more truth followed after His resurrection through the Holy Spirit’s illumination and inspiration.

Problem: Jesus says in John 15:15 that He had revealed all things to His disciples, while in John 16:12 He informs the disciples there’s far more He’s yet to tell them.

Explanation: In John 15, Jesus calls his disciples “friends” instead of slaves. This must have shocked them, because as of yet, only Abraham had been called a friend of God in Scripture (Jms. 2:23). Never is God referred to as a friend of man.

While slaves are expected to obey commands without explanation, comrades share motives and plans with each other. A captain tells his servant: “Climb to the top of the mountain.” The only valid response is: “Yes, sir!” But a friend explains why scaling the peak is important. Continue reading →

Does God Want Some to Go to Hell?

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Answering 439 Bible Contradictions

Answer: God decrees all things that come to pass, including unbelievers spending eternity in hell.

Problem: Some Scriptures say God wants all to be saved and is not willing that any should perish, while other verses say He hardens sinners and creates them for destruction.

Explanation: These apparent contradictions are not difficult to reconcile if the student of Scripture maintains honesty with each text. We’ll address two important theological principles first and then apply these principles to the individual passages.

Two Principles

The first principle is that the word “all” in Scripture may mean “all without exception” or “all without distinction”. It depends on the context. When the Lord told Noah to take “all” of his household into the ark, He meant all without exception. But when Romans 11:32 says God would have “mercy on all”, it doesn’t mean all without exception (mercy on every single person) but all without distinction (both Jews and Gentiles). He shows no partiality (Ac. 10:34). Colossians 3:11 says Christ is “in all”, certainly not meaning that Christ is in every single person. Continue reading →

Is it Wrong to Commit Adultery?

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Answering 439 Bible Contradictions

Answer: Yes, all immorality—including sexual activity outside of marriage—is sinful.

Problem: The Ten Commandments condemn adultery in every form, while some Old Testament passages seem to encourage immoral unions, such as God commanding Hosea to marry a prostitute.

Explanation: The author of Hebrews calls for purity in marriage, insisting it be “held in honor” (13:4). God “will judge sexual immorality”, which is sexual impurity while unmarried, and “adulterous” activity, which is unfaithfulness to a spouse. Jesus extends adultery to lust (Mt. 5:18). Continue reading →

50 Names and Descriptions of Jesus

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  1. Advocate: Jesus stands between sinners and the Father (1Jn. 2:1).
  2. Almighty: Jesus has power over good and evil (Rev. 1:8).
  3. Amen: Jesus can be trusted (Rev. 3:14).
  4. Anointed: Jesus is the Messiah, the chosen one of God (Ps. 2:2).
  5. Apostle: Jesus was sent to earth to die (Heb. 3:1).
  6. Author of Salvation: Jesus causes us to believe in Him (Heb. 5:9).
  7. Beginning of Creation of God: Jesus is the source of all creation (Rev. 3:14).
  8. Bishop of Souls: Jesus guards and protects our souls (1Pt. 2:25).
  9. Branch: Jesus took on human nature, born of Mary (Isa. 4:2).
  10. Bread of Life: Jesus satisfies the desires of our heart (Jn. 6:35).
  11. Captain of our Salvation: Jesus gives us the ability to believe (Heb. 2:10).
  12. Chief Shepherd: Jesus is the shepherd that all others must obey (1Pt. 5:4).
  13. Chief Cornerstone: Jesus makes wise plans (Isa. 9:6).
  14. Christ Jesus my Lord: Jesus is the master of all we do (Phil. 3:8).
  15. Counselor: Jesus makes wise plans (Isa. 9:6).
  16. Deliverer: Jesus will save sinners (Rm. 11:26).
  17. Door: Jesus is the only way to enter God’s kingdom (Jn. 10:7).
  18. Emmanuel: God is with us (Mt. 1:23).
  19. End of the Law: Jesus kept the Law for sinners (Rm. 10:4).
  20. First and the Last: Jesus has always existed (Rv. 22:13).
  21. Firstborn of Every Creature: Jesus is ranked higher than all created things (Col. 1:15).
  22. Firstborn of the Dead: Jesus was the first to rise with a resurrected body (Col. 1:18).
  23. Friend of Publicans and Sinners: Jesus loves those who are not loved (Lk. 7:24).
  24. Good Shepherd: Jesus is willing to die for His sheep (Jn. 10:11).
  25. Helper: Jesus will come to those who call upon Him (Hb. 13:6).
  26. High Priest: Jesus prays for believers (Hb. 3:1).
  27. Higher than the Heavens: Jesus cannot be touched by sin (Hb. 7:26).
  28. Holy One of God: Jesus defeats demons by the power of the Spirit (Hb. 4:34).
  29. I AM: Jesus quotes Ex. 3:14 to show he is God (Jn. 8:58).
  30. Immortal: Jesus is not affected by the power of death (1Tm. 1:17).
  31. Jesus: The Lord saves (Mt. 1:21).
  32. King of kings: Jesus has authority over the rulers of this world (1Tm. 3:15).
  33. King Eternal: Jesus was never created (1Tm. 1:17).
  34. Lamb Slain: Jesus died as a sacrifice for our sins (Rv. 13:8).
  35. Lamb Without Spot: Jesus is sinless (1Pt. 1:19).
  36. Lamb of God: Jesus was sacrificed by His own Father (Jn. 1:29).
  37. Last Adam: Jesus is the first example of one with a spiritual body (1Cor. 15:45).
  38. Life: Jesus gives eternal life to those who believe (Jn. 11:25).
  39. Light of the World: Jesus opens the eyes of those in darkness (Jn. 8:12).
  40. Lord of the Harvest: Jesus will send out evangelists if we ask him (Mt. 9:38).
  41. Man of Sorrows: Jesus experienced much grief on earth (Isa. 53:3).
  42. Name Above Every Name: Jesus is greater than all the rulers of this world (Phil. 2:9).
  43. Potter: Jesus can create humans how he wants (Rm. 9:21).
  44. Prince of Peace: Jesus desires peace with his enemies (Isa. 9:6).
  45. Resurrection: Jesus rose again and so will his followers (Jn. 11:25).
  46. Servant: Jesus chose to humble himself (Phil. 2:7).
  47. Shield: Jesus protects us (Ps. 18:2).
  48. The Word: Jesus is the speech of God (Jn. 1:1).
  49. True Vine: Jesus helps us to bear fruit (Jn. 15:1).
  50. The One Who Is to Come: Jesus will return to earth one day (Rv. 1:8).

Jesus Christ in Every Old Testament Book

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  1. GENESIS portrays God as creating the world (1:1), which we know Christ was apart of according to John 1:2. “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Because the first Adam failed in the garden (ch. 3), we need the last Adam for redemption (1Co. 15:22).
  2. EXODUS shows God identifying himself to Moses as “I AM” (Ex. 3:14), which is what Jesus calls himself in the NT (e.g. Jn. 5:58). In Exodus we also find the Passover Lamb, which pictures Jesus (1Co. 5:7) and manna, a picture of the Bread of Life (Jn. 6:31).
  3. LEVITICUS shows the holiness that God demands, which sinners cannot fulfill but Jesus can (Heb. 7:26-28). Jesus is the great high priest (Hb. 4:14).
  4. NUMBERS says that just as touching the mountain or certain utensils would bring death except by a mediator (4:15), so we need Christ as our mediator (1Tm 2:5).
  5. DEUTERONOMY says the greatest commandment is love for God (6:5; Mt. 22:37). Circumcision of the heart (10:16) is through Christ (Col. 2:11).
  6. JOSHUA’s name means “salvation” or “Yahweh saves”, which looks forward to the great warrior Jesus Christ who saves his people from their sins (Mt. 1:21).
  7. JUDGES uses sinful judges like Samson, which is nothing compared to the Great Judge, Jesus Christ (Ac. 10:42).
  8. RUTH shows that the line to Christ goes through Ruth (4:11-13), Boaz and David. Just as Boaz redeemed Ruth, so Christ redeems sinners (Gal 3:13).
  9. 1 SAMUEL shows how Israel wanted a king like other nations, but not God as their king, just as the NT people rejected Christ as their king (Ac. 3:13-15).
  10. 2 SAMUEL shows how God makes a covenant with David that one of his descendants will always be on the throne (ch. 7), ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Mt. 1:1-16).
  11. 1 KINGS tracks the reign of King Solomon, and though he started well, he ended badly, showing we need a greater King found in Christ.
  12. 2 KINGS is filled with stories of God’s grace, including 2 Kings 5 and Namaan’s cleansing of leprosy, just as Christ cleanses us from sin (Lk. 5:12-14; 24:27).
  13. 1 & 2 CHRONICLES records good kings and bad ones, but none are righteous or perfect, thus pointing to the need for Christ, the great King (Mt. 1).
  14. EZRA finds the restoration and salvation of Israel from exile, just as Christ delivers us from the domain of darkness (Col. 1:13).
  15. NEHEMIAH shows the enemies of Nehemiah trying to destroy the work of building, so do they do this today (Jn. 15:18-20) and it points to Christ’s building his Church (Mt. 16:18).
  16. ESTHER is used by God to deliver her people, just as Christ will ultimately deliver his people.
  17. JOB’s suffering is part of God’s plan and so was the suffering of Christ, for just as Satan was not allowed to take Job’s life without God’s permission, so God gave permission for Jesus to die. Job also asks the question: “How can a man be pure?” The answer is through Christ.
  18. PSALMS pictures of the suffering and abandonment of Christ in Psalm 22. They mock Christ on the cross and divide his clothing.
  19. PROVERBS teaches wisdom that comes from God and specifically Christ, who is called the wisdom of God (1Co. 1:30). We are to “trust in the Lord” with all our hearts (ch. 3), which is Christ.
  20. ECCLESIASTES highlights the vanity and emptiness of life, and makes us long for Christ, who came to give us life and give it abundantly (Jn. 10:10).
  21. SONG OF SOLOMON speaks of marital love, which is just a taste of the love Christ has for his church (Eph. 5:22-23).
  22. ISAIAH speaks of the Holy One of Israel’s deliverance/salvation of faithless Israel and urges everyone that thirsts to come to the waters to drink, anticipating Christ, the Living Water. Isaiah also contains the Old Testament Mt. Everest of salvation through Christ in Isaiah 53.
  23. JEREMIAH is filled with the rejection of God’s servant and judgment upon faithless Israel, anticipating not only the rejection of many of Christ’s servants but also the judgment he will pour upon sinners.
  24. LAMENTATIONS shows that just as Jeremiah wept over the sins of Israel, so did Christ weep over Jerusalem (Lk. 19:41-44) and give salvation to those that repent.
  25. EZEKIEL shows God judging Israel’s rebellion with exile, saying the soul that sins will die, and yet (33:11) he has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, which is proven by sending Christ to die.
  26. DANIEL shows Christ is the fourth man who stands in the fire with the three men. He is called “like the sons of the gods” (3:26). We find the “son of man” (7:13) that comes from the Ancient of days.
  27. HOSEA shows faithful Hosea’s love for faithless Gomer, which pictures God’s faithful love for rebellious Israel and Jesus’ love for a sinful church and bride (Eph. 5:22-33).
  28. JOEL pictures the Day of the Lord and anticipates Jesus’ return one day but also says “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (2:32; Rom. 10:13).
  29. AMOS is filled with judgment upon Israel’s sin and yet God is full of mercy, saying he “relented” (7:3), as Jesus is merciful and speaks of “all nations” that will one day come to Christ (9:12: Ac. 15:16-17).
  30. OBADIAH shows judgment on Edom, as those who attack God’s people will one day be judged by Christ on the Last Day (Rv. 20:11ff).
  31. JONAH shows that just as the Ninevites repented, all those today who repent and trust in Christ will find mercy, for salvation belongs to the Lord (2:9). Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days, so was Christ buried in the tomb (Mt. 12:40).
  32. MICAH shows Israel in the midst of judgment and that God gives mercy through his Messiah, Jesus, who will be born in Bethlehem (5:2; Mt. 2:1-6).
  33. NAHUM shows that just as Israel would receive the good news of deliverance from Nineveh, so sinners receive the good news of deliverance from sin. “Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news” (1:15; Rm. 10:15).
  34. HABAKKUK shows that just as God used the wicked to accomplish his purpose in this book, so he used the wicked to accomplish his purpose in Christ. “The just shall live by faith” (2:4) is the central idea to the gospel through Christ in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11.
  35. ZEPHENIAH shows God as “the Lord in your midst” (3:15), who is Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us.
  36. HAGGAI speaks of rebuilding the temple. Jesus compares himself to a temple, saying, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (Jn. 2:19).
  37. ZECHARIAH speaks of “my servant the Branch”, who is Christ the Messiah. He also speaks of coming on a donkey (9:9; Mt. 21) and being sold for thirty pieces of sliver (11:13).
  38. MALACHI anticipates John the Baptist preparing the way for Christ (3:1) and turning the hearts of fathers to their children.

Review: Father of Faith Missions

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Robert Dann, Authentic Media, 606 pages, 5 of 5 stars | Full Summary HERE.

Father of Faith Missions is the story of Anthony Norris Groves and his life as missionary in Persia and India.

What makes the book so spectacular is the way Dann unpacks dozens of themes around the life of Groves: suffering, apologetics, the life of George Muller, child raising, money, church planting, language study, Islam and so forth.

Groves was a man ahead of his time. He never served under a church denomination, never was promised a salary and never received a formal theological education. He lacked much. What he did have, as he liked to say, was the promises of God.

Groves was born in 1795 in the south of England. He married at age twenty-one and soon opened a surgery as a qualified dentist. Converted just before age 30, Groves wrote a little 28-page booklet just one year later. Christian Devotedness would prove to be one of the most influential Christian books of the 19th century. Continue reading →