Were the apostles baptized? They were undoubtedly baptized for several reasons.  Some of them, such as Andrew and John, had been John the Baptist’s disciples before they came to Jesus (John 1:35-42).  They would have therefore been baptized with John’s baptism which was associated with repentance and for forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4).  The apostles,… Read More Bible Q&A: Were the Apostles Baptized?

Are there angels among us? Angels are said to be “ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation” (Heb. 1:14).  The beggar Lazarus’s soul “was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side” after his death (Luke 16:22; cf. 23:43), thus indicating that angels might do the same… Read More Bible Q&A: Are There Angels Among Us?

Why did Jesus tell Mary Magdalene not to touch him and later permits Thomas to touch him? The “touch” in the KJV’s “touch me not” (John 20:17) comes from the Greek term haptomai, which carries with it the idea of not only touching someone, but in certain contexts “clinging” to them.  Thus, the ESV and… Read More Bible Q&A: Why Did Jesus Tell Mary Not To Touch Him and Later Permits Thomas to Touch Him?

I read a lot about “laying hands on people” in the Bible. Please explain. It was done to give a blessing (Gen. 48:14ff; Matt. 19:13-15). It was done while offering sacrifices in the Old Testament (Lev. 3:1ff; 4:4; 16:21; Num. 8:12). It was done to appoint someone to an office or responsibility (Num. 27:18-23; Acts… Read More Bible Q&A: A Question About Laying on of Hands

Please explain 1 Peter 3:21’s statement about baptism not removing dirt from the body but being an appeal to God for a good conscience. “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of… Read More Bible Q&A: A Question About Baptism and 1 Peter 3:21