Differences Among Modern Jews
Over more than two millennia of diaspora, Jews living around the world integrated with local populations, leading to significant differences in appearance, language, customs, and culture. The three main branches of modern Jewry are: Ashkenazi Jews (descendants of Jews who migrated to the Rhineland region of Germany between 800–1000 AD, speaking Yiddish, and making up […]
Spiritual Gifts
The Chinese Bible’s word for “gift” is a translation of several different Greek words. Their original meanings are “gift,” “bestowed item,” or “a gift freely given.” The Greek word “pneumatika” refers to the source of the gifts, which is God’s Spirit (pneuma). The word “charismata” refers to the gifts being granted as a demonstration of […]
The Timeline of Jesus’ Life and Ministry
The Birth and Childhood of Jesus 1、Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. Elizabeth blesses Mary, calling her blessed (Luke 1:39-56). 2、While Herod was king of Judea, Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be registered. Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1, Luke 2:4-7). 3、On the eighth […]
Achsah Asks for Springs of Water
Achsah was the daughter of Caleb and the wife of Othniel.“押撒”Achsah,是迦勒的女儿,俄陀聂的妻子。 After the Israelites entered Canaan, Caleb drove out the Anakites from Hebron and then went up to attack the inhabitants of Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher). Kiriath Sepher was located ten miles south of Hebron. Joshua had captured it once before, but the Canaanites […]
A Name of God in the Bible: Jehovah-Jireh
Jehovah-Jireh (יְהוָה יִרְאֶה) means “The LORD Will Provide.” The name comes from the Old Testament book of Genesis, Chapter 22, in the account of Abraham. It refers to the location on Mount Moriah where Abraham sacrificed a ram, whose horns were caught in a thicket, as a burnt offering in place of his son Isaac. […]
Caleb and the Land He Received
Caleb (Hebrew: כָּלֵב) is an important figure in the Hebrew Bible. The spelling of his name is consistent with the Hebrew word for “loyal” or “faithful.” When Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, they came to the border of Canaan, the land God had promised them. Moses sent twelve spies into Canaan to […]
Shechem
Shechem is a place name in the Bible. The city was located in the heart of the land, nestled between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. The name “Shechem” in the original Hebrew means “shoulder.” The shoulder is the strongest part of the body, capable of bearing burdens that the hands cannot lift, so Shechem also […]
The Priesthood
Broadly speaking, a priest is a religious official who presides over rituals and offers sacrifices on an altar in the worship or reverence of a deity. In the Old Testament, priests were set apart by God for the specific purpose of serving Him. The Pentateuch records that God separated the tribe of Levi to be […]
Biblical Accounts of Jesus’ Post-Resurrection Appearances
According to the New Testament, here are the details of the Lord Jesus’s appearances to His disciples after His resurrection: 1、He appeared to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11–18; Mark 16:9–11). 2、He appeared to the other women (Matthew 28:9–10). 3、He appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Mark 16:12–13; Luke 24:13–35). 4、He appeared to Simon […]
The Fruit of the Spirit and Bearing Fruit
“The fruit of the Spirit” refers to the qualities that naturally manifest in a person’s life when they are led by the Holy Spirit. This result, guided by the Spirit, stands in stark contrast to the desires of the flesh. The fruit of the Spirit is not a natural product of human nature, but comes […]