Month: June 2025

Why Must We Pray, Anyway: Part 1

Steve SannLeave a comment

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is Part 1 in a new series on prayer called ‘Why Must We Pray, Anyway’ by Steve Sann.

The Commandments of the Lord

God takes speaking in tongues seriously. How seriously? In the Pauline Epistles alone, we find there are more verses referencing speaking in tongues than contain the words “heaven” or “hell” combined!

I Corinthians 14 is the richest chapter in the Bible regarding tongues. In it is found an abundance of instructions, promises, and commandments clarifying God’s will for us on this vital subject. But, most notably, it concludes with this stern exhortation for us all:

I Corinthians 14:37-39:
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

We are to accept the Lord’s instructions to us regarding tongues not merely as recommendations. These are commandments, not helpful suggestions. He expects every son and daughter to take their place as spirit-filled men and women. Frankly, should church elite, or loved ones agree, is of secondary significance to God. Then it should be to us, as well.

E.M. Bounds, the Civil War era author acclaimed in modern times as the “prophet of prayer,” accurately penned: “Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer move God.” Yes, we move God…through prayer. If this alone was taught from the pulpits today, the very foundation of churches would be shaken. Yet, it is true: God is limited by the prayers of His people.

If we are to begin to grasp how the all-powerful God depends on us to exercise His power, we must first intelligently answer this question—a question feared by the faithful: “Why must we pray, anyway?” “After all,” the question begs, “if God loves us, knowing our every need even before we ask it, why must we pray at all? Can God not answer our prayers even without asking?!” Shocking to some, the answer is no. If not you, then someone else will have to pray on your behalf before God can meet that need.

Stay tuned for ‘Why Must We Pray, Anyway: Part 2’

Watch Alert: Biblical Archaeology

Rick TryonLeave a comment
Photo via Виктор Соломоник at pexels.com

Ancient Cave Burial Reinterpreted as Herodian Royal Tomb

A cave southwest of Jerusalem, long venerated as the burial site of Salome, the midwife of Jesus, is now believed by archaeologists Vladik Lifshits and Nir-Shimshon Paran to be the tomb of a Herodian royal, possibly King Herod the Great’s sister, also named Salome. The site’s monumental architecture and ornate features align with elite Herodian-era tombs. Rediscovered in the 1980s, the cave contained hundreds of oil lamps, likely sold to Byzantine Christian pilgrims. While an ossuary inscribed with the name Salome was found, the name’s commonality necessitates further evidence to confirm the tomb’s occupant. – From Live Science

Evidence of Garden at Crucifixion Site Unearthed

Italian archaeologists from Sapienza University have uncovered 2,000-year-old grape and olive traces beneath the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, traditionally identified as the site of Jesus’s crucifixion. This discovery supports the Gospel of John’s account of a garden at the crucifixion site. Soil and pollen analyses revealed ancient grape pips and olive stones, indicating cultivation before Emperor Hadrian’s reign, aligning with the time of Christ. The excavation, part of a restoration project begun in 2022, has been conducted with sensitivity due to the site’s religious significance, involving collaboration among major Christian denominations and the Israel Antiquities Authority. – From the New York Post

3,800-Year-Old Canaanite Scarab Found by Toddler

At Tel Azekah in Israel’s Shephelah region, a 3-year-old named Ziv Nitzan discovered a 3,800-year-old Canaanite scarab amulet during a family outing. The artifact, shaped like a dung beetle and dating to the Middle Bronze Age, was verified by expert Daphna Ben-Tor as a seal used for religious or status purposes. Scarabs held sacred symbolism in ancient Egypt, representing life and creation. Tel Azekah is historically notable for its biblical association with the story of David and Goliath. The find underscores the site’s historical richness and provides a tangible link to the ancient past. – From the New York Post

Subatomic Imaging Reveals Hidden Structures in Ancient Jerusalem

A team of Israeli archaeologists and physicists has employed muon detectors—devices that utilize cosmic-ray muons—to non-invasively explore subterranean structures in ancient Jerusalem. Focusing on “Jeremiah’s cistern” near the City of David, the detectors have begun mapping hidden voids and structural anomalies beneath the surface. This innovative approach allows researchers to investigate areas that are otherwise inaccessible due to practical and political constraints, offering new insights into Jerusalem’s 5,000-year history without the need for destructive excavation methods. – From Christianity Today