Category: Discussions

Acts 8:4 — What does it mean to ‘proclaim the gospel’?

Post author By Jeff
Post date November 22, 2008

https://hallel.info/wp-content/uploads/file/081122%20Acts%208v4%20-%20proclaiming%20the%20gospel.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:04 — )Subscribe: RSSIn Acts 8:4 we read about "preaching the gospel," but the phrase has become so overused that many don’t know what it means to preach and what "news" they’re preaching.

Tags Acts of the Apostles, gospel, Paul, Stephen

Discussions Prophets and Writings

1st Samuel 5-6 — Golden Tumors, Rats, and the Ark of God: Making Sense of One of the Bible’s Strangest Stories

Post author By Daniel
Post date November 15, 2008

https://hallel.info/wp-content/uploads/file/081115%201st%20Samuel%205-6%20-%20Philistia%20figures%20out%20God%20wants%20the%20ark%20returned%20to%20Israel.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:16 — 8.6MB)Subscribe: RSSWhat do golden tumors, rats, and a falling fish-god have to do with Abraham and Sarah? This Bible study on 1 Samuel 5–6 dives into the strange journey of the Ark of the Covenant through Philistia, the humiliation of Dagon, and the mysterious plagues […]

Apostolic Writings Discussions

True and False Witnesses in Acts 7–8: The Hidden Legal Story Behind Stephen’s Stoning

Post author By Jeff
Post date November 8, 2008

https://hallel.info/wp-content/uploads/file/081108%20Acts%207v57-8v3%20-%20True%20and%20false%20witnesses%20at%20the%20death%20of%20Stephen.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:15 — 6.9MB)Subscribe: RSSStephen’s death in Acts 7:57–8:3 is more than a tragic end—it exposes the clash between true and false witnesses, empty religion and genuine righteousness. In this study, we explore how Stephen mirrors Jesus in forgiveness, how Saul’s violent zeal sets the stage for his […]

Tags Acts 07, Acts 08, Acts of the Apostles, blasphemy, execution, Isaiah 29, kangaroo trial, marturia or marturion - martyr or witness - Strong's G3141 and G3142, martyr, martyrdom, Paul, sanhedrin, simon magus, simony, Stephen, stoning

Discussions Torah

Genesis 4:16-26 — Lessons from Cain’s family

Post author By Richard
Post date November 8, 2008

Names are very important in the Hebrew Scriptures of the Bible. The names of Cain’s descendants tell an interesting story about the anguish he and those after him felt about separation from God.

Tags Cain, Genesis

Discussions Prophets and Writings

When God’s Glory Leaves: What 1 Samuel 4 Teaches About Losing God’s Presence

Post author By Daniel
Post date November 1, 2008

https://hallel.info/wp-content/uploads/file/081101%201st%20Samuel%204%20-%20Loving%20symbols%20rather%20than%20the%20Source.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:18 — 8.8MB)Subscribe: RSSThe study of 1 Samuel 4 exposes a sobering truth: you can carry the Ark of God into battle, shout until the ground shakes, and still be utterly defeated. Why? Because Israel trusted the symbol instead of the Source. As the Ark is captured, […]

Tags 1Samuel 4, 1st Samuel, ark, ark of the covenant, battle, curse, defeat, Eli, God's presence, Hophni, icabod, idol worship, Israelites, Jeremiah 07, judgment, Philistine, Philistines, Phineas, prophecy, Psalm 78, Shiloh

Discussions Torah

Genesis 4:8-15 — The Mark of Cain Explained: Justice, Mercy, and the God of Second Chances

Post author By Richard
Post date November 1, 2008

A dramatic 16:9 digital painting in a layered paper-origami style depicts Cain standing alone in a rugged wilderness after God's judgment. His face is filled with sorrow, fear, and uncertainty as a radiant divine hand emerges from layered clouds above and places a glowing protective mark on his forehead. Golden beams of light cascade around him, symbolizing God's mercy despite the consequences of his sin. The landscape is formed from intricate paper-cut textures, with torn cliffs, fractured earth, and deep ravines representing judgment and separation. In the distance, several dark, shadowy figures—potential avengers—hesitate and turn away, unable to approach Cain because of God's protection. A stone monument on the right references Genesis 4:15, reinforcing the biblical theme. The title, “The Mark of Cain Explained: Justice, Mercy, and the God of Second Chances,” appears prominently across the lower third of the image in large gold and white lettering. A white “hallel.info” watermark is displayed in the upper left corner. Dramatic lighting, layered textures, and symbolic storytelling emphasize the tension between divine justice and divine mercy.

https://hallel.info/wp-content/uploads/file/081101%20Genesis%204vv8-15%20-%20mark%20of%20Cain%20is%20mercy%20not%20racism.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:41 — 9.6MB)Subscribe: RSSDiscover why the “mark of Cain” in Genesis 4:8–15 is not a curse of racism but a profound act of divine mercy. In this in-depth Bible study, Richard Agee explores how Cain’s deliberate sin, Abel’s righteousness, and the cry of innocent blood reveal God’s justice, mercy, and faithfulness from […]

Tags Abel, Abel's blood, blood's cry, brotherly love, Cain, Cain's sin, firstborn responsibility, fugitive and vagabond., Genesis, Genesis 4, God's judgment, justice, keeper, mark of Cain, mercy, Parashat Bereshit, premeditated murder, righteousness, sin's door

Apostolic Writings Discussions

Acts 7 for Beginners: Understanding Stephen’s Message to the Religious Elite

Post author By Jeff
Post date October 25, 2008

Stephen, one of seven exceptional men the 12 selected as special ministers for the needs of the congregation in Yerushalayim, is accused of blaspheming God and Moshe and speaking against the temple and “the law,” specifically, saying that Yeshua would destroy the temple and “alter the customs Moses handed down to us.” Was Yeshua Messiah or manipulator? Stephen responds with a Peter-like cutting-to-the-heart retelling of Israel’s history.