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The Son of God
Published on 2012-05-22 10:04:02
Two thousand years ago in the small village of Bethlehem, a baby boy was born contrary to nature. Nine months prior to her son’s birth, Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel who revealed something very special. Out of all the Israelite women from the tribe of Judah, Mary was chosen by God to bear [...] > read more
It’s All in the Numbers
Published on 2012-05-15 03:29:28
I’m not a mathematician. In fact, I generally have an aversion to numbers. They’re restrictive, require systematic, step-by-step (*cough* laborious *cough*) methods to manipulate, are terribly predictable, and generally unresponsive to creativity—at least, the right-brained sort (my sort) of creativity. That said, though, numbers can still grab my attention sometimes, particularly when they have an [...] > read more
The Bride of Christ
Published on 2012-05-08 00:42:21
Ephesians 5:22-33 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in [...] > read more
Objective Evaluation
Published on 2012-05-01 15:19:38
Acts 13:45 – But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. As the early Christians traveled through the Roman Empire preaching the message of Christ they spoke with people of diverse cultures, ethnicities, education and heritage. The book of Acts [...] > read more
Newborn Babes
Published on 2012-04-23 19:15:08
“Therefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envyings, and all evil speakings, desire the sincere milk of the Word, as newborn babes, so that you may grow by it; if truly you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” I Peter 2:1-3 I remember, since it was only 15 months ago, holding [...] > read more
Modern Confusion on Baptism
Published on 2012-04-19 12:49:26
Modern Confusion on Baptism The Apostle Paul made an inspired prediction in 2 Thessalonians 2:3: “…that Day [the Judgment Day] will not come unless the falling away comes first…” He promised the Church would see an apostasy, a day when many among the Church would reject the teaching of Christ in favor of their own [...] > read more
Comment on Doubting Thomas by C Fry
Published on 2012-04-02 20:05:33
Thomas wanted to be sure, maybe a little too much in the circumstances, but the aftermath of his certainty was a life of service and dedication to the Lord he followed, unto death. National Geographic had an article on The Apostles in their March, 2012 issue, which I read online after someone mentioned it to me. Thomas is a major character in the article, and it highlights the historical likelihood that he carried the gospel to India where his success in establishing the Christian faith among th [..] > read more
Doubting Thomas
Published on 2012-04-02 19:19:16
Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ So he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and [...] > read more
The Wrath of God
Published on 2012-03-26 18:56:06
The Wrath of God is real and powerful. The Hebrew writer tells us that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31) Many in the denominational world seek to minimize or even eliminate the Wrath of God from the nature of God. I have often seen and [...] > read more
Freud and the Bible
Published on 2012-03-13 11:04:25
Sigmund Freud theorized that human beings are internally comprised of three parts: the Id, Ego, and Superego. He depicted the Id as humanity’s primitive impulses or drives that seek expression. The Superego is humanity’s conscience and is socialized by external influences such as parents, religions, teachers, etc. In between the two stands the conscious self, [...] > read more
Comment on Upon this Rock by C Fry
Published on 2012-02-22 12:33:12
Interesting perspective on Matt 16:18, the rock. I agree with the significance of the apostles, their role and authority, and that they are described in the verses cited as foundational to the church. Good points overall. I have though considered the reference to the rock in Matt 16:18 to point to Jesus himself, the foundational truth that he is Christ and Son of God. The same word for "rock" (petra, a large stone) is used in regard to building on a rock in Matt 7:24-25 and of great rocks that s [..] > read more
Upon this Rock
Published on 2012-02-22 10:32:20
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 Jesus spoke these words to his disciples after Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. It is the [...] > read more
Comment on Disciples of Christ 2: Called by Kyle
Published on 2012-02-15 23:24:51
@Tom Woody Perfect quote, Tom. I thought of that before I started writing. John 5:43 is one of the saddest ironies, I think, that Jesus ever pointed out to the Jews. > read more
Disciples of Christ 2: Called
Published on 2012-02-13 21:20:40
As mentioned in my previous post, Christ called his disciples to Him. Other rabbis of that era spent years gaining a reputation and the prestige necessary for students to call on them. The Lord’s model is the exact opposite. I think there are some interesting things that might shed some light as to the differences. [...] > read more
The Revolution – How the Church Changed the World for Women
Published on 2012-02-07 19:36:44
In its 6,000 years the world has seen many revolutions, but no revolution can compare to what has been accomplished in the world by Christ and his Church. Christianity is the greatest revolution the world has ever seen. In Acts 17, Paul and Silas passed through Thessalonica in Macedonia preaching the gospel of Jesus. As [...] > read more
Comment on A Shared Ministry: The New Testament Pattern by Wade
Published on 2012-02-02 09:13:02
@Mary Hi Mary, we're glad you visited the site. To be sure, a congregation which meets in a home does have certain advantages. With the right attitude, a more intimate setting can promote more individual contributions. However, larger groups can practice mutual ministry if they so desire. Please come back. We like to talk about the Bible. > read more
Psalm 51:10-15
Published on 2012-01-31 23:38:32
Occasionally I will hear people make comments referencing “the God of the old testament,” or “the God of the new testament.” Statements like these stem from the perception that God behaved differently, with different expectations in the old testament than he did in the new. Often the connotation is that the “old testament God” was [...] > read more
Comment on A Shared Ministry: The New Testament Pattern by Mary
Published on 2012-01-31 14:14:11
Thank-you, this was well presented and very thought provoking. It seems to me that a home church or perhaps a non-501C3 church would be more likely to worship in the more scripturally consistent model as you have described from the New Testament. I look forward to sharing your video with my family. > read more
The Pursuit of Happiness
Published on 2012-01-23 05:45:47
Often, as men, we spend our lives seeking after happiness. Scientific studies have been done to answer the question, “Are We Happy Yet?” There is a Springer’s Journal of Happiness Studies, a website titling itself the World Database of Happiness, and countless articles and self-help books on how to make oneself feel happier. Some seek [...] > read more
Comment on Before the Foundation of the World by Joshua
Published on 2012-01-18 14:10:04
Consider also, if you will, Acts 10:44-45, where we see that while Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius's household, and they began speaking in tongues. What is important to notice is who was astonished at this, and why they were astonished. “Those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.” They recognized the significance of this event. This indicated to them that God accepted Genti [..] > read more
Comment on Before the Foundation of the World by Joshua
Published on 2012-01-18 14:01:37
Thank you, D. Hall, for your comment. I appreciate your thoughts on John 3:5, as it is an important Biblical concept that must be understood in the context of the passage. Nicodemus came to Jesus expressing a belief that Jesus came from God (v2), and Jesus expresses to him that this belief was not in itself sufficient to see the kingdom of God. “unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (v3) This certainly confused Nicodemus, as it probably would any of us at first read, b [..] > read more
Comment on Before the Foundation of the World by D. Hall
Published on 2012-01-18 11:05:49
There is much truth in your article "Before the foundation of the world." I must agree with the scriptures which says, "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love" (Ephesians 1:4). God chose people in him before the world was ever created. God's original plan for man was that he would never die, but because of sin, man is appointed to die. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die,but after this the j [..] > read more
Do you despise your birthright?
Published on 2012-01-16 19:29:10
The concept of a birthright is important throughout the scriptures. In the old testament birthright determined everything from the portion of your inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:15-17) to judicial and familial position. (II Chronicles 21:3) In Genesis 25:19-34 we are given the account of Jacob and Esau. The passage that is of particular interest to us is [...] > read more
Comment on “Not of Works” vs “Justified by Works” by Wade
Published on 2012-01-11 10:10:26
@Maureen Adams Thanks for your comment Maureen. I'm not sure where we disagree. After discussing various types of works that do not justify, I acknowledge God's pleasure in works of faith. I agree wholeheartedly with your post and will only add one comment: works performed by faith please God only because of Christ's sacrifice. The cross enables us to please God with our faithful deeds by removing the debt of our sins. Without this grace, we could never please Him no matter how many good t [..] > read more
Comment on “Not of Works” vs “Justified by Works” by Maureen Adams
Published on 2012-01-11 09:34:30
We are justified by faith and deeds. Not idle works like circumcision, hand washing etc. nor the sinful works. I think you err when you say our good works would somehow indebt God to us. Our debt to him is so great no amout of works can make up for but I think it pleases him if we try. Consider if you deeply offend your wife. You can say you're sorry or say you're sorry and send flowers, make breakfast etc. Do the acts wipe out the offense? Of course not. Does she appreciate if you at least [..] > read more
A Body You Have Prepared
Published on 2012-01-09 08:35:15
The offerings of animal sacrifice were preparatory for the coming of Christ. They at once demonstrated the need of blood to atone for sin, and the insufficiency of animal sacrifice to bring about the desired change in man’s condition. For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very [...] > read more
Is There Sin?
Published on 2012-01-03 12:36:59
In Jesus’ trial before Pilate, the apostle John quotes the Roman governor, “What is truth?” Though uttered nearly two thousand years ago Pilate’s question resonates in contemporary Western culture. Previous generations considered truth absolute: ”true for all people in all places for all times.”[1] Absolute truth is objective which means it stands apart from individual [...] > read more
The Killer
Published on 2011-12-27 11:47:25
INTRODUCTION Jeffrey Dahmer drugged and killed 17 men and boys. Before his imprisonment, he came to a point where he was murdering once a week. Driven by a desire to control individuals for his own gratification, Dahmer committed horrifying crimes. Their details need not be related here, as Paul’s words may have bearing on [...] > read more
Jesus is Lord
Published on 2011-12-19 17:52:34
It’s no secret we live in a time where the name, person and authority of Jesus Christ is often defamed, dishonored and disrespected. In the world, He is the punch line of jokes. His name is frequently muttered in vain. The thought of his very existence is scoffed at and mocked. He’s commonly portrayed in [...] > read more