Your Latest Questions
Brief answers to some of the latest questions that visitors to this site have sent in.
If you would like an answer to one of your questions, send it to us using the form on the right hand side. If you would like to see your name against your question - don't forget to give it to us.
Why did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem just before Jesus was born?
The land of Israel was, at that time, ruled by the Romans. The Romans had decreed that there was going to be a census in which all the people were to be counted. Everybody had to return to the city or town from which their ancestors came. Mary and Joseph were both descended from King David, and David's city was Bethlehem, so Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem to be counted. You can read the account in the Bible here. (Luke 2 v 1-7)
Who made the prophecy that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem?
When the wise men came looking for the new king of the Jews, prompted by a star they had seen in the sky, they went to the captial city, Jerusalem, and to the palace of the current king, Herod. When they explained what they were looking for Herod called for the learned people to tell him where the Messiah was going to be born. They told him "In Bethlehem" and went on to quote the prophet Micah. Micah was prophet who lived about 400 years before Jesus was born. His book is one of the shorter books towards the end of the Jewish scriptures, what Christians now call the Old Testament. You can read the account of the visit of the wise men here (Matthew 2:1-12) and the verse that was quoted from Micah here (Micah 5:2)
The Holy Spirit - What is it? or Who is He?
The FAQ 'Holy Spirit - What is it?' makes it quite clear that the Holy Spirit is a PERSON, not a thing. But many people don't know this, so their initial question often is 'What is it?' instead of 'Who is he?'. The link therefore asks the question the way many people ask it, but the answer explains Who He really is. Follow this link to see the answer in full. Holy Spirit - What is it?
Jesus: Can you prove he actually had these "powers"?
The claim that Jesus had 'powers' to work various kinds of miracles is based on the evidence of the Bible account. Whether the Bible account is reliable is another question, and you can read about that here. The Bible account of Jesus was written by eye-witnesses - people who were actually there and saw what happened. They wrote it down for us to read and understand. You would perhaps expect Jesus friends to write good things about him, but amazingly they also recorded what those who did NOT believe in him thought about his powers. Nicodemus, a leader of the people, came to question Jesus. He said "No one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." (John 3:1-3). Nicodemus later became a follower of Jesus. At one point Jesus was nearly stoned to death. When he asked "For which of these [miracles] do you stone me?" they said it was not for these. They did not deny the miracles but objected to the claims Jesus made about himself to be God. See here (John 10:22-33). And, of course, many people were present to see Jesus' miracles (eg feeding 5000 people) or were themselves healed or raised from the dead by his powers.
Did Jesus have any siblings?
Matthew records in his gospel that Jesus had at least four brothers and some sisters. Jesus one day went to preach in his home town and the people were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" And they took offense at him. See the whole section here (Matthew 13:53-57). James was probably the next oldest since he heads the list. At first he did not believe in Jesus and even challenged him and misunderstood his mission (Jn 7:2–5). Later he became very prominent in the church and was probably the writer of the new testament book that bears his name.
How did Matthew, Mark, Luke and John introduce Jesus Christ?
Matthew describes him as "Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham", he introduces Jesus as the fulfiller of all the old testament prophesies, the one God promised to send. Mark describes him as "Jesus Christ, the Son of God". Luke repeatedly talks of the Kingdom of God and points to Jesus being the King. While John starts by calling him "the Word was God" ie. Jesus is God himself. Each writer emphasises a different aspect of who Jesus is. These are not alternatives but give us a complete picture of Jesus.
Why did Jesus always sit down when he preached?
Jesus was often called 'Rabbi' which means Teacher. It was common practice at that time for religious teachers to sit down when they taught. It was even possibly a sign to his followers that he was about to start teaching. For example Luke tells us that Jesus went into the synagogue and stood up to read the scriptures. When he had finished reading "he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing". Everyone was looking at Jesus because he had sat down, thus indicating that he had something to say. Read the account here (Luke 4:14-30).
What is the pulpit in a Baptist church for?
A pulpit (the word comes from the Latin word pulpitum "scaffold", "platform", "stage") is an elevated platform from which a church leader or minister leads the worship and speaks to the congregation. The main purpose it to make the speaker visible to those in the church so enabling them to be heard more clearly. Most places of worship (not just Baptists) have a place that performs this function.