Updated American Standard Version
Giving Bible readers what God said not what translators think God meant
This article offers a thorough examination of Ephesians 4:9 to address the debated question: "Did Jesus descend into hell?" Utilizing the historical-grammatical method of interpretation, the article explores the immediate context, the original Greek language, parallel New Testament passages, and key theological considerations.
Some may view it as an allegory or a moral lesson. We can dismiss the allegorical moral lesson because, as conservative evangelicals, we look for reasonable answers to difficult Bible questions.
Mary was a descendant of Adam and an imperfect sinner. Therefore, how could Jesus, Mary’s firstborn, be perfect and free from sin in his physical body? Would not Jesus have inherited some imperfection from Mary?
In Colossians 3:22, Paul writes, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.” It is important to understand the historical and cultural context in which this verse was written. At the time that Paul wrote this letter, slavery was a widespread and accepted institution in the Roman Empire. Slaves were considered property and had few rights. In this verse, Paul addresses a specific group of believers who were slaves and encourages them to be obedient to their earthly masters. So, how are we to understand this verse and others like it? Is God condoning slavery?
According to the New Testament, Jesus was in the tomb for three days after he was crucified. This is mentioned in several places in the New Testament, including Matthew 12:40, which says: “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
The book of Enoch is non-Biblical and pseudepigraphical (what we have today is not written by Enoch). The oldest portions of the text are estimated to date from about 300 B.C.E. The book of Jude was penned by Jesus’ half-brother some 365 years later in about 65 C.E., written in Palestine.
Archangel: (Gr. archangelos) Michael is the only spirit named as an archangel in the Bible.
Why Did Jesus Wash the Disciples' Feet at Passover? Are Christians to ceremoniously repeat this?
The church is often represented as having thus been bought with a price, (1 Co. 6:20; 7:23; 2 Pet. 2:1) But what or who was the price paid to? Who or What Did God Obtain His Church From?
The critic would point out that John 1:18 clearly says that “no one has ever seen God,” while Exodus 24:10 explicitly states that Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel “saw the God of Israel.”
