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The Power of God Not the Safety of Man
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Romans 1:16 NKJV) The Safety Gospel Increasingly, the contemporary Evangelical gospel goes something like this: Because of sin, God sent His Son…
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Laying Down the Law
Regarding the utility of the Law of Moses in the life of a believer in Christ: Before Jesus’ resurrection He said… Matthew 5:17 – “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” After His resurrection He said… Luke 24: 44 …
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The Evidence of Things Unseen
In the beginning a formless & void earth awaited light. And God said “let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). Then came visible substance. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was begotten (not created) in eternity past as “very God of very God” — one substance with the Father (Proverbs 8:22+; Psalm 2; Heb 1:5). Although…
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Two Kingdoms, One Way
The United States Supreme Court is going to be deciding soon on the fate of abortion at the federal level. Nine justices appointed for life (ultimately by God — see Romans 13:1-8) are going to issue a ruling. Despite the fact that no one gets a say in this decision, it sure has brought the hornets…
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God’s Forgiveness Requires No Bloodshed
The shedding of blood is unnecessary for God to forgive sins. From Adam until Moses, no one had to kill animals to receive pardon. “For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” (Rom 5:13 NKJV) So why did God establish the Law of Moses if…
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What is “Pascha”?
Today is Passover. Well before the term “Easter” was in use, most early Christians remembered the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ (Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ), the Lamb of God, on Pascha (Greek word for Passover) which fell on the Sunday after Passover in the pre-Nicene era. However, according to his protege Ireneaus, the famous martyr Polycarp,…
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Jesus, the Heavy Equipment Operator (Part II)
I believe a strong argument can be made that the very heart of Christ is His edict to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44) and turn the other cheek (Matt 5:39). The early church made this a qualification for membership. If you decided you still wanted to bear the sword, either in self-defense or as part…
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Jesus, the Heavy Equipment Operator (Part I)
I am about to say some things that no one, including me, will like. Maybe I will leave a nasty comment afterward. No, that would be wrong. My wife and I have spent the last 6 months reading the gospels aloud every night. Both of us have read Matthew/Mark/Luke/John many times before, but this time…
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Righteous in OT ~ Righteous in NT
God’s definition of righteousness does not fundamentally change between the old and new testaments of the Bible. Both involve active faith and love for God. Old Testament: [Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NKJV]: 4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your…
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We Become What Jesus Was to Become What He Is
Jesus Christ, the Firstborn among many children of God (Romans 8:29), came to show us The Way (John 14:6, John 15:20, Hebrews 12:2-3). Jesus Christ was begotten twice — once through man (Luke 2:7) and once through God (Psalm 2:7, Hebrews 1:5). So must we be (John 3:3-6, 1 Corinthians 15:53, 1 Peter 1:23). Jesus…
The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the LORD” (John 1:23)