Gemstones in the New Testament
Gemstones in the New Testament
In the tapestry of biblical narratives, the New Testament unveils a fascinating array of precious stones. These gems, particularly highlighted in the Book of Revelation, are not just ornamental but are imbued with profound symbolic significance. They are emblematic of spiritual truths, divine...
The First Disciples of Jesus (Mark 1:14-20)
Jesus begins his ministry by proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God which is based on repentance and faith. The story, at this point, focuses on Jesus calling his first disciples, Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, and John, to follow him and become "fishers of men."
People names in the New Testament
The New Testament features an array of names that have had a profound influence on Western culture and beyond. These names are not only significant for their religious connotations but also for their historical and cultural impact. Here is a brief overview of some of the key names from the New...
Doubting Thomas (John 20:24-29)
The short narrative of John 20:24-29 is commonly known under the title “Doubting Thomas.” Generally, it is the Gospel of John (John 11:16; 14:5) which mostly deal with the character of Thomas and especially in the case of this narration where he becomes the model of a doubting man endlessly....
Last Supper (Mark 14:12-26)
Markan version of the Last Supper recounts the events surrounding the event, where Jesus and his disciples look for a place to spend and share a Passover meal before his crucifixion. The first thing the text focus on during the Last Supper is that Jesus identifies his betrayer (Judas) in verse...
Beast from the Earth (Revelation 13:11-18)
This passage introduces the second beast, often referred to as the False Prophet, who comes from the earth. The Greek term "θηρίον" (therion), translated as "beast," is used to describe this second beast that comes "ἐκ τῆς γῆς" (ek tēs gēs), meaning "out of the earth." This creature is described as...
Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12-20)
John 8:12-20 is a significant passage in the New Testament. In this section, Jesus speaks about the imporantce that people should follow him. Jesus proclaims, "I am the light of the world" (ἐγώ εἰμι τὸ φῶς τοῦ κόσμου [egō eimi to phōs tou kosmou]). This statement is profound, asserting that...
New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-22:5)
God's temple is one of the great stories throughout Bible (Gen 1-3; Ex 25-42; 1 Kings 6-9; Ez 40-48; John 1; 15; Rev 21-22). Therefore it is natural that we are encountering it in the end of the Bible, in the book of Revelation 21:1-22:5. Here again, as in the whole book of Revelation,...
Ruth
The biblical book of Ruth is a narrative account that tells the story of Ruth (רוּת [rûṯ]), a Moabite woman, who marries a Hebrew man named Mahlon. Ruth and Mahlon's family leave their hometown of Bethlehem and settle in Moab, but tragedy strikes when Mahlon and his brother die, leaving Ruth and...
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Matthew 27:32-56)
Matthew 27:32-56 narrates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The passage describes Jesus being led to Golgotha, the place of crucifixion, where he is nailed to the cross alongside two criminals. The soldiers mock Jesus, and onlookers insult him, challenging him to save himself if he is truly the Son...
Latin: Frequency Vocabulary (49-30 Occurrences)
The exercise contains words that occur between 49 to 30 times in the Bible. Mastering this vocabulary will increase your ability for a more fluent reading of the Bible in the Latin language.
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever (Psalm 89)
The Psalm looks to the Lord as a creator. The scientific question of how creation took place goes away, and the main theme is the nature of the Lord, which reveals in creation. King David and his descendants are also a significant theme in the text. They are the object of the Lord's grace....
Ascension of Jesus (Acts 1:1-11)
Jesus' ascension into heaven signifies the end of his earthly ministry and the beginning of the apostles' mission. It also foreshadows Jesus' eventual return, as the angels declare that he will come back in the same way he ascended. Jesus instructs his disciples to be his witnesses in Jerusalem,...
Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ (Romans 5:12-21)
In this passage, the Apostle Paul explains how sin entered the world through Adam, and how Jesus Christ came to offer redemption from this sin. While all humanity is inherently sinful due to the original sin of Adam, salvation and righteousness are available to all through the grace of Jesus...
Pastoral Care (Cure of Souls)
The term pastoral care comes from latin cura animarum and from the activity itself. This ministry reflects Jesus' pastoral attributes in practical service to the world (neighbors). It is based on texts such as Matthew 22:37-40 or Matthew 25:35-40. Its primary goal is ministry towards Christians to...