There must be a will to do the Lord’s will (Jn. 7:17). This takes place primarily after a person learns of God, Christ, and the instructions contained in the Bible. Hear and take God’s message to heart (Rom. 10:17). Faith is an essential part of obedience to God. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of ...
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Without doubt one of the most significant characters in the history of the people of Israel is Moses. He brought them out of the land of Egypt and slavery, he brought them the words of their God, and he led them through the wilderness to the very border of the Promised Land. For forty years Moses was the visible leader of the people of God. What made Moses into a leader? Was he effective? Can ...
Read MoreThe apostle Paul said “that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.” (Gal. 3:7), but what was so special about Abraham and his faith? What kind of faith did Abraham have? How did that faith react in suffering? How did that faith react in failure? How did that faith react in prosperity? How did that faith react in doubting? The only way to know the answer is to look at ...
Read MoreFirst Century Christians lived in a time where their government declared war on Christianity. The assaults on people of faith were not done in secret (Heb. 10:32-34). Lands, homes and property were taken by the governing powers. Preachers were regularly interrogated by civil authorities for speaking the truth about Christ (Acts 5:17-18). Members of the church did not want to assemble because of the government intrusions (Heb. 10:35-39). It just wasn’t safe going to church. ...
Read MoreIn Titus 2:11-13 we read: "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ." This passage affirms that the grace of God that brings salvation teaches us. The salvation here mentioned is obviously salvation ...
Read More“The goal of our study has been to help New Testament Christians move toward a new paradigm that is characterized by a confidence in God and an increased assurance of His promise of salvation” (p. 59. Emphasis mine). A paradigm is a pattern. Webster particularly defines a paradigm as “a pattern, example, or model.” So I wonder, what’s wrong with the pattern laid out for us by Christ? Why do we need a new pattern ...
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