The apostle Paul writes, “wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9). To “bind” something is to “confine, impede, hinder, or to declare to be binding or obligatory, prohibited, or unlawful” (Moulton 89). Paul, as a prisoner, was confined and prohibited from free… Read More »
Writing Bulletin Articles and Bible Commentaries
To read a bulletin or Bible commentary is to hear and examine the preaching of another. Each preacher and writer stand at differing places of understanding. The reader approaches a bulletin or Bible commentary knowing that what they are examining is the knowledge of the author at a given point of time. The reader, consequentially,… Read More »
A Righteousness of God from Faith unto Faith
The apostle Paul writes, “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, but the righteous… Read More »
The Everlasting Covenant
“3 Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David” (Isaiah 55:3). The apostle Paul quotes from Isaiah 55:3 at Acts 13:34. Contextually, Paul is identifying the “promise” that God “made to the fathers” (Acts 13:33). … Read More »
Do you believe in the Promises of God?
What Does the Bible say about “belief”? Studying the Bible involves learning its language. We cannot ascribe meaning to words that the Bible denies. When examining the word “belief” in the Bible, we find it has specific meaning. Belief is associated with obedience to the gospel or truth (John 3:36 and Acts 14:1-2). One proves… Read More »
Eternity
The prophet Isaiah writes of eternity saying, “15 For thus said the high and lofty one that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the… Read More »
Babylon
A study of Babylon in the Bible is advanced from the perspective of comparative analysis. In fact, Babylon represents a mystery that must be solved (Revelation 17:5). Disciples of Christ must develop the interpretive skill of looking at an Old Testament text and seeing the parallel in the New Testament. Some of these parallels are… Read More »
Consequences of Telling the Truth
The truth is a matter of facts and reality. Jesus is said to be truth as is the gospel (John 14:6 and Ephesians 1:13). It is the truth that will save, make people righteous, whereas lies do nothing but confuse and bring about death (Romans 1:16). Christians are commanded to go into the world and… Read More »
Jesus “bore” our Sins
Did Jesus become the greatest sinner ever in that he bore all our sins upon the cross? Or, is there something else that is meant? Consider a word study of “bore” or “bear” as it relates to what Jesus did with our sins. The apostle Peter writes, “24 who his own self bare (ἀναφέρω –… Read More »
Jeremiah; the Bearer of Reality
Judah, during the days of Jeremiah the prophet, refused to acknowledge their sin. Judah was guilty of idolatry, covetousness, slander, rebellion, and they put their trust in other nations and false prophets. Their sins had separated them from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). God raises Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to punish and take his people captive. They would… Read More »