As a result of justification by faith, believers have been reconciled to God by the death of Christ (5:9-10). Because of Adam’s disobedience, all are sinners and are under condemnation (5:18-19). But by the grace of God, Christ’s death for sin, resulted in our justification (5:18). An awareness of our… Read More
A MINISTRY OF DISCIPLESHIP
The word disciple in the Gospels is a common term describing followers of a person or group. Even the Pharisees had disciples. However, among Jesus’ disciples there was a hierarchy from the multitudes who followed Jesus to the twelve who were personally selected by Him to be Apostles. There was… Read More
A Life of Integrity
A righteous God demands integrity in the lives of those who would seek fellowship with Him. The Bible stresses that we are responsible for our moral choices. God holds us accountable for our decisions. He is fundamentally an ethical God. His moral character is the standard by which all mankind is judged…. Read More
Suffering
Question: Why does God permit suffering? Key Verses: James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Answer: There are numerous reasons why God permits human tragedy and suffering. People are not robots. God has given each person the ability to think and act. He permits individual choices, some of which… Read More
Tithing
Question: What does the Bible teach about tithing? Are believers supposed to tithe to their church? Scripture: Malachi 3:7-12 Answer: Believers in Jesus Christ are not under the Mosaic Law (Rom. 7:1-6; Gal. 3:16-19). Therefore, the tithing system, which was a legitimate and compulsory means of taxation for the nation… Read More
The Sabbath
Why do most Christians today worship God on Sunday instead of Saturday, especially when the Sabbath is so important in the Old Testament and was instituted by God before the Mosaic Law? The key verses about the Sabbath are Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8; and Hebrews 4:8-10. The seventh day of the week… Read More
Eternal Security
Eternal security is the sovereign work of God which guarantees that when the gift of salvation is received, it becomes the eternal possession of the believer, and cannot be forfeited.[1] Salvation then is an “irreversible work of God.”[2] It is described by Hodges as a “one-time event with everlasting consequences.”[3]… Read More
Baptism in Jesus’ Name Only
Question: Regarding baptism in Jesus’ name only, how do you reconcile Matthew 28 and Acts 2?. What practical consequences are there for holding to or not holding to the teaching of baptizing in Jesus name only. Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 2:38 Answer: First, it is important to study the context…. Read More
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Question: What is the difference between the baptism and the filling of the Holy Spirit. Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 12:1-13; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 5:18. Answer: The baptism of the Holy Spirit refers to the placing of the believer into the body of Christ at the moment of salvation (1 Cor. 12:13). Believers… Read More
Will of God
1. Some general principles in determining God’s Will. a. God’s first priority for everyone is to accept Christ as Savior (2 Pet. 3:9). b. For believers, God’s first objective that they be controlled, or filled, by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:17-18; 1 John 1:9). There is no power for knowing… Read More
The Sanctification of a Believer
The sanctification of the believer is in three realms—positional, progressive, and ultimate, reflecting the past, present, and future aspects of salvation. In Romans 8:1-11, Paul notes the reality of positional sanctification as the believer is in union with Christ, having been justified and declared righteous. Then He describes how this sanctification is… Read More
Ministries of the Holy Spirit
1. Restraint. The inhibiting of the lawlessness in the world (Gen. 6:3; 2 Thes. 2:7). 2. Reproof. Convicting the world of sin (unbelief), righteousness (concerning Jesus Christ), and judgment (in the future of mankind) (John 16:7-11). 3. Revelation. The unveiling of previously concealed truth. Making known of God’s divine purpose and plan… Read More
Unpardonable Sin
In the context of Matthew 12, it was Israel’s rejection of Christ that Jesus related to the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Strictly speaking, only when the nation Israel rejected their Messiah, Jesus Christ, did they commit the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. By application today, one might say that… Read More
Spiritual Gifts
An important aspect of the Christian’s spiritual life is the understanding and use of one’s spiritual gift. In addition to enabling a believer to live the Christian life to the fullest expression, the use of spiritual gifts has a direct impact on the body of Christ. The work of the… Read More