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Where did the idea originate that a Greek physician authored the third gospel? And in what ways can that claim be challenged or validated...

Whether we understand God's purposes or not, we “honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who ask...

The doctrine of creation is not just to be debated. It calls us to daily duty and devotion.

Study the meaning of "secrets" in Luke 8:10.

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Bible Study Tips

• BST Quick Tips: Tripping over NumbersBibleStudyTools.com Editors

  Chapter and verse numbers help us find particular passages in Scripture. But ...

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Bible Study Notes from our Community

• 
  judyleesloan-7053138 posted on Matthew 4:7Matthew 4:7 You Shall Not Tempt the Lord Your God

  Exerpt from Matthew 4:...  Read more

  Exerpt from Matthew 4:7 "...You Shall Not Tempt the Lord Your God," by John Gill's Exposition of the Bible: "thereby tacitly showing, that he [the devil] had produced scripture to a very wrong purpose, since that could never contradict itself; and also, that for a person to neglect the ordinary means of safety, and to expect, that as God can, so he will, preserve without the use of such means, is a tempting him. The Hebrew word (wont) "tempt", as Manasseh ben Israel observes, is always taken in an ill part, and is to be understood of such who would try the power, goodness, or will of God. And which, as it is not fitting it should be done by any man, so not by himself; and perhaps he hereby intimates too, that he himself was God; and therefore as it was not right in him to tempt God the Father, by taking such a step as Satan solicited him to; nor would it be right in any other; so it was iniquitous in the devil to tempt him who was God over all, blessed for ever."  ReadLess
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  kingdon posted on Acts 14:1Acts 14-15

  Paul and Barnabas prea...  Read more

  Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium and a great number of people believe their message. God confirms his message by empowering them to perform miracles. But as usual, there are opponents that stir the people up and there's a plot to kill them. So they escape. They head to Lystra where Paul heals a man that was crippled from birth. The people, who believe in the Greek gods, probably because of former Greek rule, believe that the Gods have come down to earth. In fact, the people wanted to offer sacrifices to them as though they were Zeus and Hermes. But of course they refused. Then Jews that had followed them from Antioch and Iconium convinced the crowd that Paul was evil and they stoned him and dragged him outside the city, since they thought he was dad. But he got back up and went back into the city - which seems crazy! Luke says this so matter of factly. But what must the reaction of the people in the city been when they see Peter coming back into town? And what would have been going through his head? Amazing. They traveled to Derbe and then returned back through the cities they had just come from to encourage the disciples. But these are all the same cities where people either tried to kill them or wanted to kill them. They appointed elders at the churches they had started so that they could have some oversight. Then they returned to Antioch and stayed there a long time. Chapter 15 People came from Judea to Antioch telling people they had to be circumcised to be saved, which of course put Paul and Barnabas in sharp opposition to them. They were commissioned to go to Jerusalem to talk to the apostles about this question. So it's interesting that though Paul was an apostle himself, appointed by Jesus, he still deferred a bit to the original 12. There is a big debate about circumcision and the law of Moses. Which is understandable since these men had spent their whole lives following in the law and believing themselves to be God's chosen. Peter eventually stands up and asks why they are trying to burden the Gentiles with something that none of the Jews could keep, and says that the Gentiles were saved by faith in Jesus, the same as them. Not by the law, but through faith. James also stands and says that his judgement is that they shouldn't make it difficult for the Gentiles. I'm not sure why only Peter and James are mentioned, as there was likely a huge debate among all the men gathered. This is James the half brother of Jesus, brother of Jude and author of the book of James. The fact that he says "I judge" implies that he had a high position and perhaps was the leader of the group. James says that the saving of the Gentiles is a fulfillment of prophecy. James tells them that the Gentiles don't need to keep the law, but need to do observe some specific things that, if they didn't, would make it very difficult for Jews & Gentiles to eat together or enjoy fellowship. The council sends a pretty brief letter that actually leaves a lot of wiggle room for further debate. But it makes it clear what they are to avoid. Unfortunately at this point, Barnabas and Paul have a serious disagreement over whether they should take John (also called Mark) with them. The disagreement is so severe that they wind up going their separate ways. Luke doesn't really give any opinion as to who was right or whether they were both just really stubborn. Barnabas was John Mark's cousin which explains his loyalty. God used their division for good, since now there were two groups out preaching. But this is not an apologetic for division among Christians. Just that God could use it for furthering his kingdom.  ReadLess
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  jconk46044-6047304 posted on John 21:1Peter from fisherman to shepherd

  When Peter first was c...  Read more

  When Peter first was called to be a fisher of men Jesus gave him a miraculous catch of fish. When he was reinstated after his tragic experience of denying Jesus, Peter had a catch of 153 fish (John 21:1-13). Then Jesus gave him the mission of caring for the sheep. A fisherman turned shepherd! Tradition has it that Peter was crucified under Emperor Nero. At his own request the cross was put upside down since he didn’t consider himself worthy to be crucified in the same way as his Lord Jesus Christ. We might not be able to walk hand in hand with Jesus on the waters of the Sea of Galilee, but spiritually speaking we can walk with him. We can follow Jesus step by step, wherever he leads. “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps”  ReadLess
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  jconk46044-6047304 posted on Acts 12:3Peter escapes Prison

  When Peter was sleepin...  Read more

  When Peter was sleeping in prison, awaiting execution because of preaching the Gospel, an angel woke him up, the chains fell of his wrists, they passed the guards, and the iron gate leading to the city opened by itself (Acts 12:3-11)  ReadLess
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  jconk46044-6047304 posted on Acts 9:32The paralytic Aneneas healed

  The paralytic Aeneas w...  Read more

  The paralytic Aeneas was healed and the kind-hearted Tabitha was raised from the dead (Acts 9:32-43).  ReadLess

Bible Verse of the Day

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Today's Devotional

For the word of God is living and active… (Hebrews 4:12). Here's why I read the Bible in different translations: I can grow so accustomed to the words on the page that I miss the meaning in my heart.  Today's Devotional archives...

Devotionals

• Encouragement for Today - November 14, 2012

• In Touch - Nov. 14, 2012
• Alternative View - November 14
• Today's Insight - November 14, 2012