Author: Administrador

142. Who Were the Essenes? A small community of Jews in the time of Christ, who led a pastoral life and did not marry. They held their goods and took their meals in common, strictly observed the Sabbath, prayed before sunrise with their faces to the East, bathed daily in cold water, never swore, sacrificed … Continue reading “142 – Who Were the Essenes?”

140. Was the Gift of Tongues Retained by the Apostles Until Their Death? The endowment of the "gift of tongues" was apparently continued to the Christians during the apostolic age. Jesus before his ascension breathed upon his disciples and said. "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." Fifty days after the crucifixion, the disciples received special power, … Continue reading “140 – Was the Gift of Tongues Retained by the Apostles Until Their Death?”

141. Were Any of the Disciples Married? Very little is known regarding the domestic relations of the apostles beyond what is disclosed in the Gospels. Mat_8:15 clearly implies that Peter was married. Bartholomew is said by tradition to have been the bridegroom at the wedding at Cana, and Philip is mentioned by Clement of Alexandria … Continue reading “141 – Were Any of the Disciples Married?”

138. Was It Repentance or Remorse That Drove Judas to Suicide? All we know is what the Scripture tells us. It may have been remorse, or chagrin over the failure of his plans, but it could hardly have been repentance. It was suggested by DeQuincey, with some plausibility, that in betraying Christ, he was seeking … Continue reading “138 – Was It Repentance or Remorse That Drove Judas to Suicide?”

139. Were the Apostles Converted Before the Day of Pentecost? Jesus had said many things to and about His disciples before his deaths which indicated that they were converted men: "Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven," Luk_10:20; "Now ye are clean through the word that I have spoken unto you," Joh_15:3; "Ye know … Continue reading “139 – Were the Apostles Converted Before the Day of Pentecost?”

136. In What Sense Was Judas a Devil? Little is known of the life of Judas before his appearance among the apostles. He was probably drawn by the Baptist's preaching, or by his own ambitious hopes of the coming of a Messianic kingdom, in which he might play an important and lucrative part. He seems … Continue reading “136 – In What Sense Was Judas a Devil?”

137. How Did Judas Die? Several explanations of the apparent discrepancy between Mat_27:3-io and Act_1:18-19 have been offered. The first, with relation to the death of Judas, is that the word translated as "hanged" in Mat_27:5 is capable of a different interpretation, *. e., death by a sudden spasm of suffocation, which might have been … Continue reading “137 – How Did Judas Die?”

135. For What Purpose Was Judas Chosen as a Disciple? He was attracted, as the others were, by the preaching of the Baptist or by his own Messianic hopes. It can be imagined, however, that baser motives may have mingled with his faith and zeal. He must have possessed some qualifications, probably plausibility being one, … Continue reading “135 – For What Purpose Was Judas Chosen as a Disciple?”

133. Was Peter Converted Before His Denial of Christ? Peter was a man of resolute character, bold and decisive. He was easily the leader of the twelve. Honest-hearted and warmly attached to Christ, he believed himself immovably loyal; yet in the hour of temptation he proved unstable and weak. Jesus knew his heart and warned … Continue reading “133 – Was Peter Converted Before His Denial of Christ?”

134. What Was Paul's "Thorn in the Flesh"? It referred to some bodily affliction affecting him individually and physically, but not his work as an apostle. In Gal_4:13-14 he refers to it as an "infirmity of my flesh"'97some form of bodily sickness which had detained him among the Galatians. It was probably something that caused … Continue reading “134 – What Was Paul's "Thorn in the Flesh"?”