By Jonathan Murphy

Barnabas (“son of encouragement,” Acts 4:36), was just an ordinary member of his local church, but we shouldn’t overlook his significance in leading the early church. Jonathan Murphy explores Barnabas’ crucial role in spreading the gospel and shows us what his life teaches us about becoming a servant leader as we seek to be everyday influencers for Christ.

Barnabas was a picker and a piggybacker. He got those around him involved. He made sure he gave them the lift they needed to succeed…

Do you want a deeper understanding of the original meaning of the Bible? This classic dictionary can and will simplify the process you go through to understand the Bible’s original meaning. It makes understanding individual words quick and easy.

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words includes thousands of biblical words to enhance your Bible word study.

As you read a passage, access word definitions to enhance your study of the Bible. You’ll gain a deeper understanding…

What is the goal or purpose of Bible study? While there are a number of different ways to say it they all boil down to this: We study the Bible to discover the intended meaning of a passage of Scripture and apply it to our lives today. It’s simple, but also not.

The “simple” is that we have a clear purpose. The “not” is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to getting there. That’s why different Bible study methods exist. 

What is a Bible Study method?

A Bible study method is a…

By Michele Cushatt

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
—Matthew 7:24–25

Before his death, Jesus dined with His disciples. It was Passover, the annual feast to remember Yahweh’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt after hundreds of years of slavery. (See Exodus 11…

It can be difficult to know how to start when we’re just getting started with studying the Bible. Should we just pick it up and start reading? Is there a plan to follow? Are there any tools that can help?

For those just starting out with studying the Bible, the TEXT Method is a memorable and accessible entry point.

What is the TEXT Method?

Developed by Michael and Hayley DiMarco, the TEXT Method is a Bible study approach built on four steps:

• Talk to God in prayer before you read.
• E…

You may find it difficult to figure out exactly where your story is going. You might think that your life is a little off or wonder, “What is the purpose in it all?” But the truth is, you cannot understand the story of your life apart from Jesus.

Your story begins with a creating God. The Bible proclaims that you are created in God’s image. Your beginning started in the mind of a majestic God. Everything beautiful, spiritual, wonderful, and eternal about you is the result of God’s divine image woven…

By Robert Wolgemuth

Editor’s Note: There is one event most people don’t want to think about: their own death. And for good reason. We’re too focused on living our lives well. But that begs the question: what is the key to a life well lived? How can we face death knowing that we have finished well? Robert Wolgemuth addresses these questions in his new book Finish Line. What follows is an excerpt that explores Simon Peter’s experiences with Jesus, which reveal the key to a life well lived.

Like almost all…

By Phylicia Masonheimer

How many Old Testament prophecies did Jesus fulfill, and what does this mean for us today? Phylicia Masonheimer explores key Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus, and what these verses reveal about Jesus’ identity as the Messiah.

God’s goal has always been to restore perfect love and peace between Himself and His creation. But even God’s beautiful temple, a place for Jews and Gentiles alike to come and worship, could not be preserved from humanity’s sin. The temple was…

As Black History Month closes in the United States and Canada, Bible Gateway is proud to announce that the Africa Bible Commentary is now available as one of the premium resources available with a Bible Gateway Plus membership.

Created to meet the needs of African pastors, students, and lay leaders, it is a one-volume commentary written by 70 African Scholars and was produced in Africa.

With the global reach of…

By John Bevere

How many times is Fear mentioned in the Bible? Depending on the translation you search, the NIV Bible tells us—about 350 times—and “fear not” is in almost 175 verses in the KJV Bible. The NKJV encourages us to “fear God” 134 times. We recommend that you find what the Bible says about fear, and read below how, as John Bevere explains, there is a difference between destructive fear and the virtue of fearing God, which helps us become closer to God.

In the summer of 1994, I was asked…