Bible Concepts

There’s been some confusion in the past about what language Jesus spoke, as a man living during the first century A.D. in the kingdom of Judea, located in what is now the southern part of Palestine.

The issue of Jesus’ preferred language came up during a public meeting in Jerusalem between Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, and Pope Francis. Speaking through an interpreter, Netanyahu declared: “Jesus was here, in this land. He spoke Hebrew.” Pope Francis disagreed. Who was right?

The term Messiah comes from the Hebrew word mashiach, meaning “anointed one,” and refers to someone chosen and set apart by God for a special purpose (1 Samuel 16:13; Leviticus 8:12). In the Greek New Testament, this word is translated as Christos, from which the title “Christ” is derived (John 1:41).

During the Exodus, and the period of Joshua and Judges, Israel centered its worship on the Tabernacle. It was there that God's presence was felt until Solomon built his temple.

The Temple in the Bible refers primarily to the Temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the people of Israel and the symbolic dwelling place of God among His people. The Temple was considered the “house of the Lord” and served as the focal point for sacrifice, prayer, worship, and the religious life of Israel (1 Kings 8:10–11; Psalm 27:4). It represented God’s presence on earth and His covenant relationship with His people. (britannica.com)

The exact meaning of the word, "tophet" has been debated. The word is used ten times in the Bible, and it is clear from the text that what it represents is thoroughly condemned. Scriptural, cultural and archeological evidences combine to help us understand a truly barbaric practice of the ancients, both inside and outside of Israel.

One of the problems encountered in efforts to understand the Trinity is that most of us move too quickly to analogies that only help explain aspects of the Trinity. Each of the three persons in the godhead possesses the same eternal and infinite divine nature; thus, they are the one, true God in essence or nature, not “three Gods.” Yet, they are truly distinct in their relations to each other.

The word Trinity is not used in the Bible, but the doctrine of a tri-une of God is clearly taught in the New Testament. The Old Testament does not openly teach such a doctrine, but the concept of the Trinity is pointed at in a variety of places. It might be said that the Old Testament lays a foundation for the later revelation concerning the Trinity.

Truth is a fundamental theme throughout the Bible and is rooted in the very character of God. Scripture presents God as completely truthful and faithful, His Word as trustworthy, and Jesus Christ as the fullest revelation of divine truth. Biblical truth is more than factual accuracy; it reveals reality as God knows and declares it to be. In a world where people often disagree about what is true, the Bible calls believers to seek truth, live by it, speak it in love, and ultimately recognize that truth finds its fullest expression in Jesus Christ.

Wisdom in the Bible is much more than intelligence, education, or the accumulation of knowledge. Biblical wisdom is the ability to understand life from God's perspective and to apply His truth to everyday decisions and conduct. Scripture teaches that genuine wisdom begins with reverence for God and is demonstrated through humility, righteousness, discernment, and obedience. The Old Testament particularly associates wisdom with Solomon and the wisdom literature, while the New Testament reveals Jesus Christ as the fullest expression of God's wisdom.