Questions and answers
Deep biblical answers to the questions people ask—about faith, life, forgiveness, fear, and salvation. With quotations from Holy Scripture and Ellen White.
746 reply in the library
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What does Colossians 2:16–17 mean, and does this text abolish the Sabbath?
Yes, those were my words about moving on to Colossians 2:16–17. This passage is indeed often mentioned in discussions about the Sabbath, but in the Adventist understanding it does not abolish the fourth commandment; rather, it warns against judgment and ceremonial shadows that pointed to Christ. When I wrote, “If you want, I can go straight to Col. 2:16–17 right now,” I meant […]
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What does the law mean in Paul’s Epistles, and what is its place in salvation?
The law in Paul’s Epistles is not the way to justification, but it remains God’s holy standard. In New Testament soteriology, Paul does not set law and grace against each other as enemies, but the attempt to be saved by works against God’s gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. When Paul’s epistles are read superficially, it may seem that the apostle speaks about the law inconsistently. In one place […]
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What Does the Bible Say About a Relationship with a Niece and the Birth of a Child?
The Bible clearly forbids sexual relations with a niece as an incestuous relationship. The birth of a child does not make the child guilty, but the adults bear moral responsibility before God and need repentance, truth, and proper further decisions. The issue of intimate relations between close relatives in the Bible belongs not simply to the topic of "personal morality," but to God's order for the family. Holy Scripture […]
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how did the doctrine of the Trinity develop in the history of the SDA Church
The doctrine of the Trinity in the SDA Church was formed gradually on the basis of Scripture. Official Church sources show that early Adventism did not immediately have the modern formulation, but through biblical study came to a clear recognition of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as three co-eternal Persons of the Godhead. The question of the development of the doctrine of the Trinity in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church must be considered honestly […]
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Why was Rachel not buried in the family tomb?
Rachel was not buried in the family cave because of the circumstances of her death on the journey, not because of a lack of love. The biblical text shows that she died near Ephrath, that is, Bethlehem, and Jacob buried her there, where this tragic event happened. The story of Rachel’s burial often raises questions, because we know that the patriarchs had a family burial place — the cave […]
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Why did Jesus teach in parables, and what did it mean?
Jesus spoke in parables to reveal truth to sincere hearts and at the same time not impose it on those who consciously resisted the light. A parable is a simple earthly story with a heavenly meaning: it makes God’s word close, memorable, and calls a person to think, repent, and seek more deeply. When we read the Gospels, we notice that Jesus very often taught precisely in parables. This is […]
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Where are the cities from Joshua 15 located today?
The cities and villages in Joshua 15 are mostly located in the territory of today's southern Israel and the West Bank. The chapter describes the inheritance of the tribe of Judah: its borders, important cities, and geographical zones. Archaeologists identify some biblical names with considerable confidence, while others only approximately. When we read Joshua 15, it may seem that this is just a long list of ancient […]
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Who was Hosea to Ephraim: a son or a descendant from his tribe?
Hoshea, son of Nun, was not the son of Ephraim, but his distant descendant from the tribe of Ephraim. In the Bible, it is important to distinguish between an individual man named Ephraim and the whole tribe that came from him. This is what helps us correctly understand who Hoshea was, the one later called Joshua. When people read that Hoshea was “from the tribe of Ephraim,” it sometimes gives the impression that […]
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How old were Mary, Joseph, Isaac, and Rebekah according to the Bible?
The Bible does not name the exact age of Mary, Joseph, and Rebekah. However, Scripture provides enough data to distinguish between what is stated directly and what is only historical assumption. When people ask how old Mary and Joseph were at the birth of Jesus, as well as how old Isaac and Rebekah were when they met, it is important to answer honestly: the Bible does not […]
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Did God literally create man with His own hands?
The Bible shows that God created man personally and purposefully. The language that He "formed" man from the dust and "breathed" into him the breath of life emphasizes not an impersonal force, but the close action of the Creator. At the same time, this does not mean that God should be imagined as a physical being limited by a human body. When people ask whether God literally created man with His hands, […]
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Why was Jesus amazed by the faith of Gentiles and the unbelief of Jews?
Jesus was not amazed by people’s nationality, but by their response to God’s light. Gentiles, having less knowledge, sometimes showed greater trust and humility, while many of those who had the Scriptures, the temple, and the prophecies did not recognize the Messiah and did not believe Him. In the Gospels there are two striking moments: Christ is amazed by the great faith of a Gentile and amazed by the unbelief of those who […]
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where does Ellen White write about marriage with an unbeliever?
Ellen White directly warns believers against marriage with unbelievers. Her counsel is based not only on personal opinion, but above all on the biblical principle of spiritual unity, faithfulness to God, and the preservation of faith in family life. When people ask where exactly Ellen White speaks about marriage with an unbeliever, the best-known source is Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, chapter […]
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