1. 1 Bible Question Box If Adam and Eve were the first two people on earth, how did we end up with so many different races?

2. 2 Origin of Races? Adam & Eve were the first humans, 1 Tim. 2:13; Gen. 2:7, 21-22 Adam & Eve were the first humans, 1 Tim. 2:13; Gen. 2:7, 21-22 –First man, 1 Cor. 15:45 –First woman, Gen. 3:20

3. 3 Origin of Races? Evolution: Mankind result of millions of years of gradual change (modern man appearing about 200,000 years ago) Evolution: Mankind result of millions of years of gradual change (modern man appearing about 200,000 years ago) Bible: All descended from Adam & Eve (one blood), Acts 17:26 Bible: All descended from Adam & Eve (one blood), Acts 17:26

4. 4 Origin of Races? Bible does not classify humans along “racial” lines Bible does not classify humans along “racial” lines –Australoid, Caucasoid, Mongoloid, Negroid (many differences exist) “Kind” (genos): kindred, offspring, family, stock, tribe, nation, country, Mk. 7:26; Acts 4:6, 36 “Kind” (genos): kindred, offspring, family, stock, tribe, nation, country, Mk. 7:26; Acts 4:6, 36 –Geographic regions; cultural assoc. –Never of differences in skin color

5. 5 Relevant Bible Facts All came from a solitary human couple, Gen. 3:20; Acts 17:26 All came from a solitary human couple, Gen. 3:20; Acts 17:26 –“Out of one” (cf. Mal. 2:10) God is no respecter of persons, Acts 10:34 (lit., “lay hold of a face”) God is no respecter of persons, Acts 10:34 (lit., “lay hold of a face”) –God does not look at the color of a person’s face, but at the quality of his soul, 1 Sam. 16:7; Gal. 2:6

6. 6 Relevant Bible Facts God designed man with the potential for ethnic expansion God designed man with the potential for ethnic expansion –Variation was/is part of the human genetic reservoir –Cf. cattle, Gen. 1:24-25 –Humans (different gene combinations)

7. 7 Two heterozygous people (AaBb) could theoretically expect these skin color variations: (www.apolgeticspress.org)

8. 8 Relevant Bible Facts Dispersion of human family after the flood created circumstances that accommodated physical variations, Gen. 1:28; 11:4, 5-8 Dispersion of human family after the flood created circumstances that accommodated physical variations, Gen. 1:28; 11:4, 5-8 –Geographical –Environmental –Cultural

9. 9 Different Races Our likenesses distinguish us from animals Our likenesses distinguish us from animals Our differences show God’s wisdom & creative design Psa. 139:14 Our differences show God’s wisdom & creative design Psa. 139:14

10. 10 Bible Question Box Would you explain gossip? Would you explain gossip? –What is it? –What causes it? –What can be done to prevent it?

11. 11 What is gossip? “To bubble”, 1 Tim. 5:13 “To bubble”, 1 Tim. 5:13 –Of persons uttering or doing silly things –Gossip is idle talk, rumors &/or false accusations about others –Several forms: Slander, tale bearing, busybody, backbiting & whispering Gossip is sin! (2 Ths. 3:11) Gossip is sin! (2 Ths. 3:11)

12. 12 What is gossip? Slander (whispering, secret slander) Slander (whispering, secret slander) –Defame by an evil report, false accusations –Empty, idle words about others that tear down, Psa. 101:5; Prov. 10:18

13. 13 What is gossip? Tale-bearing: To carry around morsels of information, an informer, Prov. 18:8 Tale-bearing: To carry around morsels of information, an informer, Prov. 18:8 –Reveals “secrets” (confidences, private counsel), Prov. 20:19; 11:13 –Stirs up strife, Prov. 26:20 (16:28)

14. 14 What is gossip? Busybody: Meddler in the lives of others, 1 Pet. 4:15 Busybody: Meddler in the lives of others, 1 Pet. 4:15 Backbiting: “to defame”, speak evil of another, Psa. 15:3 Backbiting: “to defame”, speak evil of another, Psa. 15:3

15. 15 What causes gossip? Hateful, angry heart, Lev. 19: 16-18 Hateful, angry heart, Lev. 19: 16-18 Pride & envy, Rom. 1:29-30; 2 Cor. 12:20 (Psa. 101:5) Pride & envy, Rom. 1:29-30; 2 Cor. 12:20 (Psa. 101:5) Idleness, 1 Tim. 5:13; 2 Ths. 3:11 Idleness, 1 Tim. 5:13; 2 Ths. 3:11

16. 16 What prevents gossip? Love our neighbor as ourselves, Lev. 19:18 (Matt. 22:39) Love our neighbor as ourselves, Lev. 19:18 (Matt. 22:39) Cleanse our hearts & put away sin, 1 Pet. 2:1; 3:9-10 (Jas. 4:8-10) Cleanse our hearts & put away sin, 1 Pet. 2:1; 3:9-10 (Jas. 4:8-10) Stay busy, 2 Ths. 3:11 Stay busy, 2 Ths. 3:11 Control the tongue, Prov. 12:17-23 Control the tongue, Prov. 12:17-23

17. 17 What prevents gossip? Before spreading information, stop & ask… (Jas. 1:19) Before spreading information, stop & ask… (Jas. 1:19) –Is it true or false? –Will it help or hurt? –Will it encourage or discourage?