Dead Sea scrolls

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What are the dead sea scrolls?

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Jan 23, 2025

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One of the most significant discoveries of the 20th century was the discovery of the dead sea scrolls. As a result of this discovery, we were able to authenticate many of the Bible's stories and events.

The discovery of the dead sea scrolls matters because it gets to the heart of the question of whether we can genuinely trust the Bible as we have it today.

Dead Sea scrolls were discovered in 1947 by three Bedouin shepherds exploring a mountainous area near Qumran (about 20 miles east of Jerusalem, on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea).  

When one of the shepherds threw a rock into a cave, they heard pottery shatter and decided to explore it further. Next morning, one of the cousins climbed into the cave and found the jar shattered and a bunch of scrolls inside. He was disappointed to come across a few ancient manuscripts; however, he had no idea that these scrolls would be worth millions and would turn the archaeological and biblical world upside down.

The rock they had thrown hit a ceramic pot containing leather and papyrus scrolls that were later determined to be nearly 20 centuries old.  

In the years following the discovery of the dead sea scrolls, archaeologists have found at least 11 caves with more than 1,000 different complete manuscripts or scrolls. 

Essentially, they discovered an ancient library of books that provided a glimpse into the first century and earlier. These writings were done between 250 BC, before the time of Christ, and 64 AD, before the Romans came in and destroyed everything in Jerusalem. While many of these writings were just personal notes for the community, there were also actual Biblical books among them. That is, every biblical book of the Old Testament except Ester was found in whole or, in some cases, partial copies.  

One of the most significant Biblical discoveries was the Great Isaiah scroll (which prophesies Jesus' coming and accounts of His crucification). The reason it is essential is that this scroll dates to about 125 BC, about a century and a quarter before Jesus was born. Before this finding, the only copy of Isaiah we had in its entirety was a version dated to 1008 AD.  

The scroll was further tested by historians against the copy written a thousand years after Christ's death in order to determine if there were any changes made. They found that the two documents were virtually identical with only a couple of spelling / grammatical mistakes, which is expected as they had been copied by hand over millennia. In totality, this shows how much care Jewish scholars took when copying the word of God. 

Dead sea scrolls offer assurance to those reading the Bible today that the scribes weren't just changing things at random. Rather, the Jewish scholars made sure that the scriptures were carefully copied. 

The dead sea scrolls finding is one of the many reasons why we can trust that the Bible we have today has not been manipulated or tampered with.

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls confirms the Bible's authenticity, showing that its texts were meticulously preserved over centuries, providing powerful evidence that the Scriptures we have today remain trustworthy and unchanged.

Why take Communion?

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Why do Christians take communion?

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Feb 16, 2025

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Receiving communion is a common practice in most churches. But why do we do it? Here are four reasons why communion is an essential part of Christian worship from the 11th chapter in 1st Corinthians:

To obey Christ: 

Communion is an act of obedience to Jesus' command. Jesus instituted this practice on the night He was betrayed, making it a central tradition for His followers. This obedience goes beyond mere ritual; it's a meaningful expression of following Christ's teachings.

1 Corinthians 11:23 (NKJV)

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;

    To remember Christ's death:  

    Communion serves as a tangible reminder of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. The breaking of bread and the drinking of wine symbolize Jesus’ body and blood, given for us. This act of remembrance connects believers to the profound love and grace displayed on the cross.

    1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (NKJV)

    and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”  In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

      To proclaim Christ's death until He comes:  

      Every time Christians partake in communion, they proclaim the central truth of their faith – the death and resurrection of Christ. It's a form of preaching the Gospel, affirming the hope of Jesus' return.

      1 Corinthians 11:26 (NKJV)

      For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

        To examine one's life for unconfessed sin  

        Communion encourages believers to approach with reverence and humility, acknowledging their need for grace and forgiveness. The scripture also emphasizes the importance of self-examination, ensuring that participants partake in a worthy manner.

        1 Corinthians 11:27-32 (NKJV)

        Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

          In summary, communion is not just a religious observance; it is a profound act that embodies obedience, remembrance, and proclamation of the finished work of Christ on the cross. It’s a regular reminder of what Jesus has done for us and our continual need for Him.

            Communion is an act of obedience, remembrance, proclamation, and self-examination, centering on Christ’s sacrifice and our need for Him.

            Why did Jesus weep at the death of Lazarus?

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            Why did Jesus weep at the death of Lazarus?

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            Feb 20, 2025

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            John 11:33-36 (NKJV)

            33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 

            34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?”

            They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”

            35 Jesus wept. 

            36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”

            People often wonder that since Jesus is God and would have known of Lazarus’s outcome (the resurrection), why then would He weep at Lazarus’s death?

            Even though this verse is the shortest in the Bible, it is rich with meaning.

            Jesus’s humanity on display

            Firstly, it emphasizes Jesus’ humanity; He was truly “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isa. 53:3).

            He felt what we would feel, was induced in the same temptations as us, and was allowed to experience first-hand our human emotion. The Hebrews verse portrays this beautifully; 

            Hebrews 4:15 (NASB)

            For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin.

            Jesus’ anger

            As Jesus observed the chaotic scene, He “was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” Unfortunately, the use of the words “deeply moved” is not an accurate translation (by some bible versions) of the verb embrimaomai, which literally means to snort like a horse. 

            Apart from its use in verse 38, it appears only three other times in the New Testament (Matt. 9:30 / Mark 1:43 / Mark 14:5), where it is translated “sternly warned” or “scolding” giving an expression of anger, outrage or indignation. 

            Jesus appears to have been angry over the painful reality of sin and death and by the mourners around who were acting pagans who had no hope (1 Thess. 4:13). 

            Furthermore, the use of the word “troubled” (Tarasso) further emphasizes the intensity of the Lord’s reaction. A similar term is used elsewhere in the scriptures to describe strong emotion. 

            Herod’s reaction to the magi’s arrival (Matt. 2:3), the disciples’ terror when they saw Jesus walking on water (14:26); Zacharias’s fear when he saw the angel in the temple (Luke 1:12); the disciples’ amazement at seeing Jesus after His resurrection (24:38); Jesus’ reaction to His impending death (John 12:27); and His response to Judas’s imminent betrayal (13:21).

            Jesus weeping over sin

            When Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus, He was moved with compassion. However, He wasn’t weeping because of the end of Lazarus, because the end of Lazarus was going to be the resurrection. 

            The Jews correctly identified Jesus’ sorrow as evidence of His love for Lazarus; however, they were wrong to assume that His tears reflected the same hopeless despair they felt.

            When the others had wept, the Greek verb used is “klaio” as in verse 33 (commonly used for a loud wailing – like the typical funeral mourners), but the word to describe Jesus’ grief is “dakruo,” a rare word used only here in the New Testament which means to burst into tears silently.

            Jesus’ tears were generated both by His love for Lazarus and His grief over the deadly ongoing effects of sin in a fallen world.

            This is the empathy, sympathy, tenderness, kindness, and the love of Christ manifested in this verse.

            Jesus wept not out of despair but in deep sorrow over sin’s impact on the world, displaying both His compassion and righteous anger against death.

            Did Christmas originate from pagan practices

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            Did Christmas originate from pagan practices?

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            Feb 19, 2025

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            Was Jesus really born in December?

            Wasn’t the 25th of December a pagan holiday?

            If it is true that Christmas is a pagan holiday, then are we worshiping a pagan ritual and not the actual birthday of Jesus Christ?

            Is Christmas mentioned in the Bible?

            Firstly, there’s no direct biblical commandment to celebrate the birth of Jesus on the 25th of December. There is also nothing in the Bible that would indicate that Jesus was born on the 25th of December. In fact, much of the New Testament narratives would suggest that His birth did not even occur during that time of year. 

            Although Christmas is not included in the Bible, the event itself is mentioned – Christmas is God incarnate in the flesh.

            John 1:14 (ESV)

            And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

            “What we celebrate at Christmas is not so much the birth of a baby, but the incarnation of God Himself.” ~ R.C. Sproul

            Was the birth of Christ ever celebrated in the Bible?

            Yes, it was. We see the birth of Jesus celebrated in Scripture as follows;

            – By John the Baptist while he was in his mother’s womb (Lk 1:44).
            – By the Angels and the Shepherds who praised God (Lk 2:9-20) for the gift of Jesus.
            – By the wise men who came to worship Jesus and presented Him with gifts (Matt. 2:10-11).

            Doesn’t the 25th of December have its roots in pagan worship?

            During the time of the Roman Empire, there was a holiday on the 25th of December, which was linked to pagan religion.

            However, the Christians at that time were reluctant to participate in the rituals. Therefore, they decided to have their own celebration of something that was of more importance to them – the incarnation of God to Son. This turned into a joyful time as the people celebrated and worshiped their Savior and King.

            What about the Christmas Tree used as a decoration?

            Regarding the Christmas tree, it is true that it may have been used in pagan practices. However, there is nothing wrong with a tree per se and neither is there anything wrong with using it as a holiday decoration.

            A tree used as an object in pagan worship is evil but is acceptable in other contexts. We see some examples of certain practices used in Scripture. The act of circumcision in the Old Testament was given by God as a covenant sign for His people; however, the same practice was common among ancient tribes who used it as part of their pagan rites. It was evil when used as part of pagan traditions, but it was good when used for God’s purposes.

            In the New Testament, we see how Paul talked about food sacrificed to idols in 1 Corinthians 8-1 & Romans 14. Paul highlights nothing was wrong with the food (even after its use in pagan worship). Its use in pagan worship was wrong, but its use is good when used by God as a provision for His people. 

            1 Corinthians 8:4-6 (ESV)

            4. Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.”

            5. For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—

            6. yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

            Since God created all things and everything is subjected under Him. There is no harm in using things and reclaiming them for His glory and honor.

            Regardless of your reasoning behind not celebrating the 25th of December, there is no harm in taking a date, sanctifying it, and making the most of it to the glory of God and His marvelous work of salvation.

            "What we celebrate at Christmas is not so much the birth of a baby, but the incarnation of God Himself." — R.C. Sproul

            What are the 5 Solas of the reformation theology?

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            What are the 5-solas of the reformation thelogy?

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            Feb 16, 2025

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            The Five Solas are five Latin phrases popularized during the Protestant Reformation, which took place in the 16th century.

            The Reformers were guided by the conviction that the Church of their day had drifted away from Christianity’s essential, original teachings, especially regarding teachings about salvation.

            The Reformation sought to re-orient Christianity on the original message of Jesus and the early Church.

            The Five Solas are:

            • Sola Scriptura (“Scripture alone”): The Bible alone is our highest authority.
            • Sola Fide (“faith alone”): We are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ.
            • Sola Gratia (“grace alone”): The grace of God alone saves us.
            • Solus Christus (“Christ alone”): Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King.
            • Soli Deo Gloria (“to the glory of God alone”): We live for the glory of God alone.

            These five statements of the evangelical faith lay at the center and basis of the Reformation theology.

            Sola scriptura is the belief that because Scripture is God’s inspired word, it is the only inerrant, sufficient, and final authority for the Church.

            Solus Christus is the assertion that Christ alone is the basis on which the ungodly are justified in God’s sight.

            Sola Fide affirms that the believer receives the redemption Christ has accomplished only through faith.

            Sola gratia declares that all of our salvation, from beginning to end, is by grace and grace alone.

            Because of these things, the Reformers held fast to the phrase Soli Deo Gloria, that only God receives glory for our salvation.

            The Five Solas affirm that salvation is by Scripture alone, through faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone.

            What about the apocryphal books?

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            What about the apocryphal books?

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            Bible,   All Questions

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            Jan 22, 2025

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            It is common knowledge that the Catholic Bibles differ from Protestant Bibles. It is because the Roman Catholic Bible contains seven additional books.

            These seven books (written during four-hundred-year period between the Old Testament and New Testament) are referred to as the Apocrypha (meaning “hidden” or "doubtful") because of their questionable authenticity and authority.

            The Protestant Bible lines up with what the Jews considered the complete Old Testament. However, the Roman Catholic church added seven books to the Old Testament at the Council of Trent (AD 1545–1563). This was a period when Catholic doctrines were being questioned, and the Apocrypha was seen as supporting some of the traditions practiced by the Roman Catholic Church, such as prayers for the dead (Mac 12:45).

            There are several reasons why Protestants do not consider these books canonical, which are summarized below:

                • No New Testament writer quoted from any of these books as Scripture or even considered them inspired, though they often quoted from other Old Testament books.
                • These books were virtually ignored by Jesus and the disciples, which they would not have done if they considered them to be inspired by God.
                • As early as AD 90, the Jewish Council of Jamnia rejected the Apocrypha as Scripture. Additionally, most church fathers of the first four centuries of Christian history rejected these books as inspired.
                • The Apocryphal books were written between 250 BC and the first century AD. However, according to Judaism, by about 400 BC, the Spirit of prophecy had departed from Israel.
                • The Apocrypha contains clear historical errors, such as the assumption that Sennacherib was the son of Shalmaneser instead of Sargon II (see Tobit 1:15).
                • As opposed to many biblical books, none of the Apocryphal books claim to be inspired by God.
                • Unlike the Old and New Testament books, the Apocrypha contains no predictive prophecy.
                • Apocryphal books were emphatically rejected by Jerome, the famous Roman Catholic scholar (lived around AD 420) who translated the Latin Vulgate Bible.
                • They were not written by the apostles whose names the books bear since the apostles died in the first century.
                • There are many errors in doctrine and heresies in them.
                • Apocryphal books contain doctrines that contradict the inspired scriptures. For example, 2 Maccabees 12:43–45 teaches the efficacy of prayers and offerings for the dead. Ecclesiasticus 3:30 teaches that alms-giving atones for sin and justifies cruelty to slaves (33:26, 28).

            Furthermore, the Roman Catholic church's acceptance of these books in AD 1546 is also unjustified for the following reasons:

                • They were the wrong group to make this decision i.e., New Testament Christians (in 1500 AD) whereas it was the Jews who were entrusted with the oracles of God as per Romans 3:1-2;
                • It took place at the wrong time (16th Century AD), and
                • It was done for the wrong reasons in response to the Reformation.

            The Apocryphal books, added to the Roman Catholic Bible in the 16th century, were rejected by Protestants due to historical inaccuracies, lack of prophetic inspiration, and contradictions with Scripture, affirming the 66 books of the Protestant Bible as the true canon.