At the time of the New Testament, most people in the Roman Empire worshiped a variety of Roman gods, including the emperor. Learn about the religious context that was in place during the early church era. At the time Christianity was beginning to spread throughout the Roman Empire, most… Read More

Within 100 years of Jesus’ death, Christianity had spread throughout the Middle East into Africa and northern Europe. Check out this map of the world influenced by early Christianity. Read More

Stories have been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years, but sometimes they have been passed down in different formats. Read about how history has been handed down through the centuries. If you have ever listened with fascination as older relatives spoke about their lives, you… Read More

Rome is known for its extensive empire. See how much the Roman Empire grew in just over 150 years. Read More

Peter was a fisherman and Jesus referenced fishing several times in his earthly ministry. Find out what fishing was like in New Testament times. In Jesus’ time, fishing took place mostly on Lake Galilee, because the Jewish people could not use many of the harbors along the coast of… Read More

Crucifixion is one of the most painful forms of execution invented. Learn about Jesus’ crucifixion and why this form of death was significant Have you ever thought about what Jesus went through when he died on the cross? This piece can help you gain a better understanding of the… Read More

Proper burial was important to the ancient Israelites. Read about the traditions and factors surrounding this practice. The people of Israel and the other countries of the ancient Near East considered it very important to honor those who had died by giving them a proper burial. Because of the warm… Read More

Scrolls transferred God’s Word to subsequent generations. Find out how these items were made and used in the ancient world. In ancient times, writing was done on scrolls made of leather or papyrus. The papyrus plant, which grows abundantly in Egypt, provided the material for scrolls. Carbon-dating has shown… Read More

It symbolizes the Holy Spirit, flows out of rocks, decimates armies and acts as a cleansing agent. Water is a key image in the Bible. Find out why. In the ancient Near East, great civilizations grew up in the areas close to rivers, such as the Nile in Egypt… Read More

Wine was an important beverage in the ancient world. As a result, wine is a significant symbol throughout the Old and New Testaments. In the Middle East, wine is made from grapes that are picked late in the summer and then spread out on the ground for a while… Read More