February 19, 2008

Explaining and Giving Evidence

Paul preaching in Thessalonica

“And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ’” (Acts 17:2-3).

These verses describe Paul’s teaching in the synagogue in Thessalonica. He came with the message that Jesus was the Messiah who had been prophesied of in the Old Testament.

Notice how Paul taught this message. He did not simply state his premise that Jesus was the Christ and, therefore, had to suffer and rise again. He explained and gave evidence. His explanations and evidence were from the Scriptures.
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February 11, 2008

A Better Sacrifice

First Offering of Aaron

“Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:11-12).

Throughout this book, the Hebrew writer demonstrated why Jesus Christ and His new covenant are better than the system put in place by God through Moses. The above passage continued in this theme. It contrasted the work of the Levitical priests and the work of Christ.

The contrast is a simple one. The priests of old stand daily. Jesus sat down.
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February 1, 2008

Prayer and the Christian Soldier

Last month I wrote an article about putting on the armor of God. I briefly covered the items mentioned by Paul – truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God (Ephesians 6:14-17). Some include prayer in this list as well, as it is mentioned in the next verse (Ephesians 6:18) and may wonder why I did not mention it when discussing the other items.
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February 1, 2008

Who Is Qualified to Preach the Gospel?

Preaching

It is a commendable thing for one to desire to preach the gospel. Yet not everyone should do it. James wrote, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). Preaching the gospel is a serious matter.

How would one become qualified to preach the gospel? Many denominations require that their preachers (or pastors/ministers) complete some sort of training at a college or seminary. Some of our brethren believe a preacher should attend a certain college or complete some type of preacher training program or that these somehow make him more able to teach. But if we really want to know what to expect of one who desires to preach, we need not look any farther than the word of God. The New Testament provides a description of one who is qualified (fit) to preach the gospel.
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February 1, 2008

Safeguards Against False Teaching

[This article was written by Robert A. Sochor.]

The New Testament warns pretty clearly that there shall be false teachers at work among Christians and churches (2 Peter 2:1). This was true in the first century and is just as true in the 21st century. Even their success is foretold in scripture (1 Timothy 4:1).

Why are they successful? I can think of four reasons (not in any particular order):
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February 1, 2008

Living in View of Christ’s Return

Sun and Clouds over the Ocean

The Second Coming of Christ is a recurrent theme in both of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians. It is discussed in some detail in both letters (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10) and is at least mentioned in every chapter but one (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:1-11, 23; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 2:1, 8). The Holy Spirit wanted these brethren to keep this event in their minds as they walked here on earth. These writings have been preserved for us today for the same reason. Remembering the reality of Christ’s return, what were the brethren in Thessalonica told to do? What they were told to do will apply to us as well. We are waiting for the Lord to return just as they were. Let us consider what we are to do as we wait.
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January 24, 2008

Some Thoughts from 2 Timothy

In February we’re going to start studying 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus in the Sunday morning Bible class I teach. Tonight I’ve been working on the study guides. When I write a study guide, I divide them up a lesson per chapter. At the top of the page in each lesson I list a key verse in the chapter that states one of the main points.

After I finished 2 Timothy, I noticed a pattern in the verses I had chosen. 2 Timothy 1:13, 2:15, 3:16, and 4:2.
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