There is a word used in the New Testament which, of itself, is of no great import. It is the Greek word poikilos and it is the word commonly used to describe “divers” diseases (cp Mark 1:34). The word is also used of the divers miracles of God (Heb 2:4) and of divers and strange doctrines that w…
The Manifold Grace of God Read More »
It’s quite incredible that Philip, immediately after the brutal murder of his friend Stephen and the continuing persecution by Saul (v1), continued the brave work of preaching the gospel. Both Stephen and Philip had previously been appointed to attend to the needs of poor Greek widows and assist i…
Courage in the Face of Adversity (Acts 8) Read More »
Ezra: A Ready Scribe (Part 2)
This smallish group, carrying a fortune in gold and silver, faced a 1500 kilometre journey through treacherous, threatening country, led by a 74 year old scribe. A royal escort was available if Ezra requested it, but he was ashamed to ask the king. What sort of faith w…
Babylonian Captivity – The Ecclesia in Exile (11) Read More »
When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son into a nation that had been long downtrodden by Gentile tyrants. Stretching back to the times when the record of Scripture closed in the Old Testament, atheistic Greeks and polytheistic Romans had played their part in oppressing the Jewish n…
Zechariah and the Shepherd of Israel – Conclusion Read More »
The Great Parable
Jonah’s anger emerged after the 40 days had expired. He had spent that time preaching impending doom throughout the Assyrian heartlands and the fact that central Assyria was not destroyed evidently comes as a shock to him. The Hebrew (4:1) is emphatic.1
“displeased” –…
Jonah – The Enigmatic Prophet (5) Read More »
For of all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these: “It might have been.” – John Greenleaf Whittier.
Are we slaves to the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” syndrome? “If only…” are words of such sad regret. It might have been, but it isn’t. If only I “woulda” done this or…
It Might Have Been Read More »
Three fragments of cloth dyed with purple, the most precious dye of the ancient world, have been discovered in the Timna Valley near Eilat.1 The textiles have been dated to 1000BC, the period of David and Solomon. Also known as “true” or “Tyrian purple”,2 the vibrant purple colour of the p…
Ancient Cloth with Purple Dye Found in South of Israel Read More »
Athens was a place of learning and a centre of human wisdom which was greatly admired in the Roman Empire. It was known for hosting various schools of philosophy, and philosophers abounded, each one having disciples who lived in their presence and observed their way of life hundreds of years before …
Christ’s underlying message is one of perspective; where we put our primary focus in life:
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt 6:33)
We are exhorted to seek God’s righteousness and His kingdom in order to find i…
Seek Ye First (11) Read More »
One reader writes: (1) Do the Greek terms used in John 20:5-8 or Luke 24:12 give any definite indication how the grave-clothes of Jesus were lying in the sepulchre—whether (a) lying flat or collapsed; (b) stiffened and retaining the form of the body by the congealing of the spices; or (c) folded, …
The Grave-Clothes and the Empty Tomb Read More »
