Hebrews 11:35
I know that salvation is by grace and not by works, however meritorious. But the writer of the Book of Hebrews does not seem to know that simple truth. For example, in describing the martyrs, he says: 'Others were tortured, and refused to be released, in order to obtain a better resurrection' (Heb. 11:35, NIV).…
Read More2 Corinthians 6:14
Some Adventists quote 2 Corinthians 6:14 to discourage someone marrying a person not of our faith. Does the noun “unbelievers” designate non-Christians, non-Adventists, or both?
Read More1 Corinthians 15:29
What does the phrase "those who are baptized for the dead" mean in 1 Corinthians 15:29 (NIV)? I wish I could tell you! Several factors make it difficult to interpret this text. First, the text is very brief and Paul doesn’t elaborate; second, there’s no other reference to this practice in the rest of the…
Read MoreHebrews 4:1-11
Hebrews 4:1-11 has been used, on one hand, to support the observance of the Sabbath commandment by Christians; and on the other hand, as evidence for the rejection of a literal obedience to the commandment. Others have concluded that the passage addresses neither observance nor nonobservance of the Sabbath.
Read MoreMatthew 4:1
The first verse of the temptation narrative contains the strange remark that Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness in order to be tempted by the devil. Obviously the Spirit is the same “Spirit of God” who had just been mentioned in Matthew 3:16 and who descended on Jesus when he was baptized.…
Read More1 John 4:8
Is it correct to say that God's love is unconditional and without any cause outside God Himself? So much has been written about God's love that we can hardly begin to summarize the results of those studies. The most important text is obviously 1 John 4:8: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because…
Read MoreHebrews 12:23
Who are the “spirits of the righteous made perfect,” mentioned in Hebrews 12:23?*
Read MoreEphesians 1:4
Someone quoted Ephesians 1:4 to demonstrate that every human being was elected for salvation in Christ before the creation of the world. Is that what the text says?
Read More1 Corinthians 11:2-16
Paul wrote that women should cover their heads in church (1 Cor. 11:2-16). Why do we not enforce that mandate?
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