Bible Questions
Explore short answers and Bible references, then open a question for its full explanation and sources.
How many books are in the Bible?
The collection Christians call the Bible contains, in the Protestant tradition, a total of 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. In everyday Turkish the word "İncil" is often used for the whole collection; in the narrower technical sense the term Gospel…
About the Bible
Who wrote the Bible?
The Bible is not the work of a single author; it is a collection of 66 books written over roughly fifteen hundred years by many authors who lived in different lands. The first five books of the Old Testament are traditionally attributed to Moses; a large portion of the Psalms is…
About the Bible
What is the difference between the Old and New Testament?
The Bible has two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament comprises 39 books written before Jesus; it contains the creation account, the history of the people of Israel, the law given to Moses, the psalms of David and the words of the prophets…
About the Bible
What language was the Bible written in?
Short answer: the four Gospels and, more broadly, the 27-book New Testament were written in Koine Greek, the common written language of the first-century Mediterranean world. If the whole Bible is meant, most of the Old Testament is Hebrew, parts of Daniel and Ezra are Aramaic…
About the Bible
Are the Gospel and the Bible the same thing?
In everyday Turkish, "İncil" (Gospel) and "Kutsal Kitap" (the Bible) are often used interchangeably, but the two terms differ in scope. The Bible refers to the entire collection of Christian scripture: 66 books in total, the Old Testament (39 books) and the New Testament (27…
About the Bible
What are the Psalms (Zabur)?
The Psalms are a collection of 150 poems of prayer and song in the Old Testament; in Turkish and in Islamic tradition the book is known as the "Zebur" (Zabur). A large portion is attributed to King David, while the headings also mention other names such as Asaph, the sons of…
About the Bible
Where should I start reading the Bible?
Because the Bible is a collection of 66 books, reading it cover to cover is not always the easiest route for a new reader. A common and practical suggestion is to begin with the Gospel of John in the New Testament: John presents who Jesus is as a self-contained narrative and, in…
About the Bible
What is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit, in Christian belief, is the Spirit of God, present in the narrative from the first page of the Bible to its last book. The opening of Genesis describes the Spirit of God "hovering over the surface of the waters." In the Old Testament the Spirit is given to…
Core Concepts
Where does the Bible say 'God is love'?
The statement "God is love" appears in the New Testament letter of 1 John, in chapter 4, in both verse 8 and verse 16. The author uses it not as a slogan but as part of an argument: love belongs to God's nature; therefore knowing love begins with knowing God, and anyone who…
Core Concepts
What are the Ten Commandments and where are they found?
The Ten Commandments are ten foundational commands given, in the biblical narrative, to the people of Israel through Moses; they appear as a full list in two places: Exodus chapter 20 and Deuteronomy chapter 5. According to the account, they were given at Mount Sinai after the…
Core Concepts
What does sin mean in the Bible?
In the Bible, sin is presented not merely as breaking a rule but as the breakdown of the relationship between God and humanity. One of the Hebrew words used in the Old Testament means "to miss the mark": sin is a swerving away from what humans were made for. At the start of the…
Core Concepts
What does repentance mean in the Bible?
In the Bible, repentance means more than feeling sorry: it means turning, a change of direction. The Hebrew verb used in the Old Testament means "to return," and the prophets repeatedly call the people to "return to the LORD." The Greek word in the New Testament means a "change…
Core Concepts
What does grace mean in the Bible?
Grace, in the Bible, means kindness given without being earned; the concept stands at the center of Christian faith, especially in the New Testament. The Greek word "charis" carries the senses of gift, favor and that which delights. Paul's sentence in Ephesians is the best-known…
Core Concepts
What is faith according to the Bible?
The Bible's best-known definition of faith appears in Hebrews chapter 11: "Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen." The chapter that follows explains faith not as an abstraction but through lived stories: Noah building an ark against an unseen…
Core Concepts
What is baptism and how is it described in the Bible?
Baptism is the rite performed with water that marks entry into the Christian faith; its Greek root means "to immerse." In the New Testament, baptism first appears with John the Baptist, who practices a "baptism of repentance" in the Jordan River and calls people to a changed…
Core Concepts
What does eternal life mean in the Bible?
Eternal life is one of the most central promises of the New Testament, and its best-known expression is John 3:16: the Son was given so that whoever believes in him "should not perish, but have eternal life." At first glance the phrase may sound like endless duration after…
Core Concepts
What does Messiah (Christ) mean?
The word "Messiah" comes from the Hebrew "mashiach" and means "anointed one" — a person set apart for a role by being consecrated with oil. Its Greek equivalent is "Christos," from which "Jesus Christ" and "Christian" derive. In the Old Testament, kings, priests and sometimes…
Core Concepts
How does the Bible teach to pray?
The Bible's most direct teaching on prayer appears in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus first describes how not to pray: not performing long prayers for show, and not piling up empty repetition. He then gives his disciples a model prayer; beginning "Our Father…
Life and Practice
What does the Bible say about forgiveness?
Forgiveness is one of the New Testament's most insistent themes, and it is taught together with the question of limits. In Matthew's Gospel, Peter asks, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?" Jesus' answer — "seventy times seven"…
Life and Practice
What does the Bible say about anxiety and fear?
Anxiety and fear are human conditions the Bible does not ignore; the call "do not be afraid" is among its most repeated encouragements. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses worry directly: "Therefore don't be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or…
Life and Practice
How does the Bible describe marriage?
In the Bible, marriage appears at the very beginning of the narrative, inside the creation account. Genesis 2 says, "Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh"; this sentence, grounding marriage in commitment…
Life and Practice
What does the Bible say about money?
Money is a topic the Bible addresses with surprising frequency; a large share of Jesus' parables involve property, debt, wages and stewardship. At the center of the teaching is not money itself but its place in the heart. The Sermon on the Mount says, "Don't lay up treasures for…
Life and Practice
What is the Golden Rule and where is it found?
The principle known as the "Golden Rule" appears in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel: "Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them." The same saying occurs in Luke. Jesus adds a weight to the sentence: "for this is the law and the…
Life and Practice
Where does the Bible say 'love your neighbor as yourself'?
The command "love your neighbor as yourself" first appears in the Old Testament, in Leviticus chapter 19 — contrary to common assumption, the saying was not born in the New Testament. The context in Leviticus is concrete: it stands among everyday commands such as leaving part of…
Life and Practice
What does the Bible say about gratitude?
Gratitude in the Bible is presented both as a form of worship and as a posture of life. The book of Psalms is saturated with the language of thanks; Psalm 100, with its call to "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving," presents gratitude as the natural tone of approaching God…
Life and Practice
Where was Jesus born?
According to the Bible, Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea. The most detailed account is in Luke chapter 2: because of a census decreed by the Roman emperor Augustus, Joseph, who lived in Nazareth, travels with Mary, to whom he is pledged, to Bethlehem, the town of…
People and Events
Where is Jesus' resurrection described in the Bible?
The resurrection of Jesus is recounted in the closing chapters of all four Gospels: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24 and John 20-21. The four accounts share the same core: Jesus is crucified and laid in a tomb outside Jerusalem; on the morning of the first day of the week (Sunday)…
People and Events
Where is the story of Noah and the flood in the Bible?
The story of Noah and the flood is told in chapters 6-9 of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. The account opens with the spread of evil on the earth, while Noah is introduced as "a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time." God commands Noah to build an ark of…
People and Events
Where is the story of David and Goliath in the Bible?
The story of David and Goliath is found in the Old Testament, in 1 Samuel chapter 17. The scene is a battle line between the armies of Israel and the Philistines: Goliath, the Philistine giant, comes out every morning and evening for forty days to defy the army of Israel, and no…
People and Events
What is the parable of the Prodigal Son about?
The parable of the Prodigal Son appears in Luke chapter 15; found only in Luke, it is among the most retold narratives in world literature. The context matters: Jesus tells it, after the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, as an answer to religious leaders criticizing…
People and Events
What are the parables of Jesus?
Parables are the most distinctive form of Jesus' teaching: short stories drawn from daily life — a farmer sowing seed, a lost sheep, an indebted servant, a wedding feast — that carry a deeper truth. Depending on how they are counted, the Gospels contain between thirty and forty…
People and Events
What does sanctification mean?
Sanctification means being set apart for God and growing into a life that increasingly reflects the character of Christ. In Scripture, the term describes both a status and a process of transformation. A person who trusts in Jesus Christ is set apart by God, and at the same time…
Core Concepts
What does 'covenant' mean in the Bible?
In the Bible, a covenant is the binding relationship through which God makes promises to people and defines how that relationship is to be lived. It may resemble a contract in everyday language, but biblical covenant is usually more than a negotiation between equals. It is…
Core Concepts
What is the Lord's Supper (bread and wine)?
The Lord's Supper is the act of worship Jesus Christ gave to his disciples in which bread and the cup are used to remember his body and his shed blood. Through this practice, Christians remember Christ's sacrifice on the cross, express their union with him, and proclaim his…
Core Concepts
What is the Sabbath day?
The Sabbath is the weekly day in Scripture that gathers together the themes of rest, holiness, and trust in God. In the Old Testament command given to Israel, the seventh day is set apart from ordinary work and linked both to God's pattern in creation and to Israel's deliverance…
Core Concepts
What is tithing?
Tithing, in its basic sense, means setting apart a tenth of income or produce for purposes devoted to God. In the Old Testament, the practice is connected with Israel's worship, Levitical service, festival life, and care for the poor. For that reason, the tithe is not simply an…
Core Concepts
What are spiritual gifts?
Spiritual gifts are abilities, ministries, and empowerments given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the building up of the church and the good of others. They are not exactly the same as natural talents; sometimes they work alongside natural abilities, and sometimes they…
Core Concepts
What does the word gospel mean?
Gospel, in its most basic sense, means good news. In Christian faith, that good news refers to God's saving work in Jesus Christ to overcome sin, death, and alienation. So the gospel is first of all not news about what human beings do for God, but about what God has done for…
Core Concepts
What does the Kingdom of God mean?
The Kingdom of God means the effective exercise of God's royal authority, rule, and saving reign. The phrase usually describes not so much a geographical territory as the reality in which God's will is being carried out in power. According to Scripture, God is already Lord over…
Core Concepts
What does being born again mean?
Being born again is the new beginning that the Holy Spirit brings about within a person's inner life. As Jesus tells Nicodemus, the phrase does not merely describe moral improvement, but entry into a new spiritual life. Human beings cannot enter the life of God by their own…
Core Concepts
What is prophecy in the Bible?
In the Bible, prophecy is the communication of God's word to people. At times this includes statements about the future, but it would be incomplete to define prophecy only as predicting events. The prophets often call God's people to repentance, expose injustice, confront…
Core Concepts
Is prayer only about asking?
No, prayer is not only about asking. In Scripture, prayer is a broader language of relationship: turning toward God, opening oneself before him, giving thanks, crying out, confessing sin, and seeking his will. Petition is a real and legitimate part of prayer, but it is not the…
Core Concepts
How is confession of sin made?
Confession of sin is the honest acknowledgment of sin before God without minimizing it. The first step is to stop making excuses: a person names what was done, what was left undone, and why it was wrong before God and other people. In Scripture, confession is not merely giving a…
Core Concepts
What is the difference between mercy and grace?
Mercy and grace are very close concepts, but they are not the same. Put simply, mercy is the withholding of deserved judgment, while grace is the giving of undeserved favor. In mercy, a person is spared the consequence that is deserved. In grace, a person receives a gift that…
Core Concepts
What is the relationship between faith and works?
According to Scripture, faith and works are not rivals; they are two connected realities that must be placed in the right order. In Christian belief, a person is not saved by putting God in debt through good deeds; salvation is God's gift of grace. But real faith is not inert…
Core Concepts
What does 'hope' mean in the Bible?
In the Bible, hope is not vague optimism or a weak wish of the kind that says, "I hope things turn out nicely." It is better understood as confident expectation grounded in God's character and promises. Hope draws its strength not from our control over the future, but from God's…
Core Concepts
Where in the Bible is love defined?
In the Bible, love is not defined in a single verse as if it were a dictionary entry; it is explained through both teaching and example. Even so, the best-known description of love appears in 1 Corinthians 13. There love is described as patient, kind, not envious, not boastful…
Core Concepts
Who is Moses?
Moses is the prophet and leader who stands at the center of Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt. His life and ministry are told at length in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. As an infant he is preserved from Pharaoh's decree, he grows up in the orbit of the…
People and Events
Who is Abraham?
Abraham is one of the foundational figures of Scripture, remembered as the one who responded in trust to God's call and as one of the ancestors of Israel. His story is told especially in Genesis 12-25. God calls him to leave his land, promises him descendants and blessing, and…
People and Events
Who is David?
David is remembered in Scripture as one of Israel's most important kings. His story begins in the latter part of 1 Samuel and continues through 2 Samuel and the opening of 1 Kings. He is first introduced as a shepherd and musician, then comes to prominence through his courage…
People and Events
Who is Paul?
Paul is one of the most influential figures in the New Testament, known as an apostle of Jesus Christ. At first he appears under the name Saul and is remembered for his harsh opposition to the early Christian community. According to Acts, his encounter on the road to Damascus…
People and Events
Who is Peter?
Peter is the apostle who stands out in the New Testament as one of Jesus' closest disciples. His birth name is Simon; Jesus gives him the name Cephas or Peter. He works as a fisherman and follows Jesus together with his brother Andrew. In the Gospels, Peter often appears as the…
People and Events
Who is John the Baptist?
John the Baptist is presented in the New Testament as the prophet and witness who prepares the way for Jesus. He was not one of Jesus' twelve apostles; his role was to prepare for Jesus and point to him. He is the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, and his birth is connected from…
People and Events
Who are the twelve apostles?
The twelve apostles are the core group of disciples whom Jesus chose in a special way. Their names are given in several lists in the New Testament. In general, the names are these: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus…
People and Events
Where is the Last Supper described?
The Last Supper is described most clearly in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke; the Gospel of John also gives extensive attention to the same night, though its emphasis differs at some points. As for location, the traditional answer is an upper room prepared in Jerusalem…
People and Events
What is the day of Pentecost?
The day of Pentecost is the day described in Acts 2, known for the special coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. Its name is related to the Greek word for fiftieth, and it coincides with the Jewish festival of Shavuot. For that reason Pentecost is not only a sudden…
People and Events
What was Jesus' first miracle?
According to the Gospel of John, Jesus' first miracle is the turning of water into wine at the wedding in Cana. The event is narrated in John 2, where it is presented as the first of Jesus' signs. That detail matters, because John tells miracles not merely as displays of power…
People and Events
What is the Sermon on the Mount?
The Sermon on the Mount is one of the densest and most influential sections of Jesus' teaching. It appears most clearly in Matthew 5-7. There we find the Beatitudes, love of enemies, prayer, fasting, wealth and anxiety, judging others, the golden rule, and the two ways, among…
People and Events
What does the parable of the Good Samaritan teach?
The parable of the Good Samaritan aims to break a view of neighbor-love that tries to keep its boundaries narrow. In Luke 10, an expert in the Law asks Jesus about eternal life and then asks, Who is my neighbor? Jesus responds with the story of a man traveling from Jerusalem to…
People and Events
What does the parable of the lost sheep teach?
The parable of the lost sheep teaches God's merciful concern for the person who has wandered away and his willingness to seek that person out. The parable appears in Matthew 18 and Luke 15. In Luke, the setting is especially connected with sinners and socially excluded people…
People and Events
Who is Zacchaeus?
Zacchaeus is the tax collector in Luke 19 who is known for his encounter with Jesus. The text introduces him as a chief tax collector and a wealthy man. In first-century Jewish society, tax collectors were often seen as collaborators with the Roman system and were therefore…
People and Events
Where is Jesus' ascension described?
Jesus' ascension is described most clearly in Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:9-11. When these two passages are read together, they show that after appearing to his disciples following the resurrection, Jesus blessed them, was taken up before their eyes, and was hidden from their sight…
People and Events
How did Saul become Paul?
The short answer is this: Saul underwent a dramatic conversion and came to faith in Jesus Christ, but Scripture does not say that his name was miraculously changed at that moment. According to Acts, Saul encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, was struck blind…
People and Events
How was the first church founded?
The founding of the first church is described most directly in Acts 2. After Jesus' resurrection and ascension, the disciples were waiting together in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit came upon them on the day of Pentecost. Peter then proclaimed to the crowd that Jesus had been…
People and Events
Where is Solomon's wisdom described?
Solomon's wisdom is described especially in 1 Kings 3-4. The best-known scene is in 1 Kings 3, where God asks Solomon what he wants, and Solomon asks not for long life or riches but for wisdom. The following case involving two women and one baby is the classic example of how…
People and Events
What does the Bible say about loneliness?
The Bible does not belittle loneliness. It shows plainly that human beings are relational creatures, and for that reason the experience of disconnection, abandonment, or not being understood can be a real form of pain. Loneliness may take the form of being physically alone, or…
Life and Practice
What does the Bible say about sorrow and grief?
The Bible is strikingly honest about sorrow and grief. A believer is not expected to suppress pain immediately, to appear strong in every situation, or to become emotionally numb in the face of loss. The Psalms are full of lament, the prophets mourn over the ruin of the people…
Life and Practice
What does the Bible say about anger?
The Bible does not treat anger as something that is either always legitimate or always forbidden. It begins by acknowledging that anger is a real human response. In the face of injustice, betrayal, oppression, or evil, a person's inner life may rise up. For that reason, the real…
Life and Practice
What does the Bible say about work and labor?
In the Bible, work and labor are seen not merely as a necessity for survival, but as part of humanity's created calling. In the creation narrative, human beings are given the task of cultivating and keeping the earth. That means work itself is not a punishment that appeared only…
Life and Practice
What does the Bible say about rest?
In the Bible, rest is not merely taking a short break after getting tired; it carries a deeper theological meaning. In the creation narrative, God's rest on the seventh day establishes a pattern of rhythm, limit, and holiness for human life. For that reason, rest is not the same…
Life and Practice
What does the Bible say about hospitality?
In the Bible, hospitality is more than a matter of manners; it is presented as a spiritual and moral way of making room for another person. In the Old Testament, the people of God are repeatedly told not to oppress the stranger and to open their doors to those in need. There is…
Life and Practice
What does Scripture say about friendship?
Scripture presents friendship not merely as a pleasant social relationship, but as a moral and spiritual bond that helps a person mature. Good friendship includes loyalty, truthfulness, sacrifice, and mutual encouragement. A friend is not only someone who stays near in happy…
Life and Practice
What does 'Love your enemies' mean?
Jesus' command to 'love your enemies' does not mean calling evil good or ignoring injustice. Rather, it means taking a posture toward even the person who harms us or stands against us that recognizes human dignity, rejects revenge, and seeks what is good. This love is not first…
Life and Practice
What does Scripture say about judging others?
Scripture uses language about judging others that is both cautionary and balanced. Jesus' warning is aimed at the attitude by which a person makes himself the standard, looks down on another, claims to know motives, and condemns without mercy. The issue is not the very act of…
Life and Practice
What does Scripture say about pride?
Scripture treats pride in connection with seeing oneself as greater than one really is, forgetting dependence on God, and looking down on others. For that reason, the issue is not simply having confidence, but making the self the center. Pride closes a person to learning, makes…
Life and Practice
What does Scripture say about jealousy and envy?
In Scripture, envy is often described as looking with unrest at the good another person has, being unable to receive it with joy, and living in a state of comparison that consumes the inner life. This kind of jealousy is not merely a feeling; it has a direction that damages…
Life and Practice
What does Scripture say about honesty and lying?
Scripture sees honesty not merely as giving correct information, but as having integrity between the inner and outer person. Lying is not only speaking a false sentence; it is distorting reality, damaging trust, and abusing relationship. For that reason, honesty stands near the…
Life and Practice
What does Scripture say about illness and healing?
Scripture does not explain illness and healing in a single simple line. Illness is treated as a real sphere of suffering connected with the fragility of human life, the fallen condition of the world, and the limits of the body. Healing, on the other hand, may be a sign of God's…
Life and Practice
How does one ask God for guidance when making decisions?
According to Scripture, asking God for guidance is not simply waiting for a sign; it is learning to make decisions through prayer, wisdom, character, and responsibility. When a person asks God for direction, the answer is often not an immediate miracle but a process that…
Life and Practice
What does Scripture say about respect for the elderly?
Scripture presents respect for the elderly not merely as a rule of etiquette, but as an attitude connected with the fear of God and the order of the community. Old age does not automatically make every action right; still, those who have carried the weight of many years are to…
Life and Practice
What does Scripture say about raising children?
Scripture sees the raising of children not merely as behavior control, but as the task of forming a person through love, discipline, example, and wisdom. The aim is not to suppress a child through fear, but to help that child grow into someone who can love what is right…
Life and Practice
What is the book of Revelation, and what does it describe?
Revelation is the last book of the New Testament, and it uses powerful symbols to describe the reign of Jesus Christ, the endurance of the church under pressure, the final judgment of evil, and God's new creation. At the most basic level, the book was not given to frighten…
About the Bible
Which are the longest and shortest books of the Bible?
The longest book of the Bible is generally understood to be Psalms, and the shortest book is usually taken to be 3 John. A small clarification is needed, however: the expressions "longest" and "shortest" can vary slightly depending on whether one counts lines, words, or…
About the Bible
What are the prophetic books?
The prophetic books are the Old Testament writings in which God speaks to his people through prophets. In the Protestant arrangement they are usually divided into two groups, the Major Prophets and the Minor Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel, followed…
About the Bible
What are the wisdom books?
The wisdom books are Old Testament writings that seek to understand human life in the light of the fear of God. In the 66-book Protestant canon, the books most commonly included under this heading are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. In some…
About the Bible
Into how many languages has the Bible been translated?
The Bible is the most translated book in the world, but the question "Into how many languages has it been translated?" does not have a single fixed answer. The numbers keep changing, and there is also a difference between a complete Bible, a New Testament, and only portions. The…
About the Bible
Why do Christians read the Old Testament?
Christians read the Old Testament because it too is part of God's inspired word and is indispensable for understanding Jesus Christ. The New Testament is built on the language, stories, promises, and concepts of the Old Testament. Without it, major themes such as creation, sin…
About the Bible
Why are there four Gospels instead of just one?
The reason there are four Gospels in the New Testament is that the church received the one good news about Jesus Christ through four witnesses. In other words, there are not four different "gospels" in the ultimate sense, but four canonical presentations of the one Christ…
About the Bible
What are the apocryphal books?
In short, the term apocryphal books usually refers to certain ancient Jewish writings that Protestants do not include in the Old Testament canon, but that are received at different levels within Catholic and Orthodox traditions. In Turkish discussions, the word…
About the Bible
What are the Dead Sea Scrolls?
The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of ancient Jewish manuscripts discovered in the twentieth century in caves near Qumran by the Dead Sea. They include biblical texts, fragments of biblical books, community rules, interpretations, hymns, and other religious documents. Put…
About the Bible
What is the Septuagint?
The Septuagint is the traditional name for the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament. It is often abbreviated as LXX. It first arose especially for Jews who did not know Hebrew or who used Greek as their everyday language, and it was later used widely by early…
About the Bible
When was the Gospel written?
In everyday Turkish, “Incil” can refer either to the whole New Testament or specifically to the four Gospels. If the four Gospels are meant, most academic views place their writing roughly between AD 65 and 100. Mark is usually treated as the earliest Gospel, while John is…
About the Bible
What does the book of Acts describe?
The book of Acts describes how the first Christian community spread after Jesus was taken up into heaven. It does not merely list historical events; it shows, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, how the gospel moved from Jerusalem into Judea, Samaria, and the main centers of…
About the Bible
To whom were the letters in the New Testament written?
The letters in the New Testament were not written to just one group, but to different churches, regional communities, and certain individuals. Some of Paul’s letters are addressed to churches in places such as Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, and…
About the Bible
How many psalms are there in the Bible?
There are 150 psalms in the book of Psalms in the Bible. That is the standard count in the Hebrew textual tradition and in the canon used by Protestants. The short answer to the question is that clear. There is, however, a small detail concerning numbering: in some older…
About the Bible
What is the best-known verse in the Bible?
Worldwide, the verse most commonly identified as the best-known verse in the Bible is John 3:16. The reason is not only that it is short and memorable, but that it gathers several themes central to the Christian message into a single sentence: God’s love, the giving of Christ…
About the Bible
When was the Bible translated into Turkish?
The most accurate answer to this question is this: it depends on which translation you mean. The translation of the Bible into Turkish was not a single event completed on one date. Translations of some portions for Turkish-speaking communities existed earlier. In particular, the…
About the Bible
Why was Jesus crucified?
Jesus’ crucifixion can be explained both historically and theologically. From a historical perspective, the Romans used crucifixion as a form of execution for people regarded as political threats, rebels, or offenders against public order. Jesus was tried within the religious…
Core Concepts
Why is Jesus’ resurrection so important?
Jesus’ resurrection stands at the center of Christianity because his identity, his death, and his promises are understood to be confirmed by his rising. If Jesus had only died, the story would remain tragic but unfinished. According to the New Testament, the resurrection shows…
Core Concepts
What does atonement mean?
Atonement, in the broadest sense, means the repairing of a relationship broken by sin and the restoration of peace with God. In Christianity, this concept is especially connected with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Human beings cannot, by their own power, fully…
Core Concepts
What does justification mean?
Justification, in Christian theology, means that God counts a sinful person as righteous on the basis of Christ. The basic idea is not that a person earns standing before God through moral success, but that God receives that person by grace. In the New Testament this theme is…
Core Concepts
What do Christians worship?
In the main historic Christian traditions, Christians worship one God. This one God is known as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; this is called the Trinity. It does not mean belief in three separate gods. In Christian teaching, God's essence is one, while the three persons are…
Core Concepts
What does apostolic church mean?
Apostolic means related to the apostles or sent in the apostolic mission. For that reason, “apostolic church” is not by itself the name of one denomination or only a name for the Armenian Church. The emphasis depends on the church being described, but the expression usually…
Core Concepts