Many have questions about the use of alcohol – whether or not a Christian can or should drink and whether we should condone (or even advocate for) the practice. While many might have different opinions about this, we need to know what the Bible says about it. So in this article, we are going to consider what the Bible says about the evils of alcohol.
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“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1).
As Paul wrote to the brethren in Corinth, he described the fact that our lives on earth are temporary, yet we have an eternal home in heaven. It is important that we understand this – this world is not our home. Our real home is in heaven. In this article, we are going to contrast these two homes and consider how an understanding of the difference between them should cause us to live here.
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The term “church membership” is not used in the New Testament. However, it is certainly a Scriptural concept. Paul clearly taught the concept of church membership in his letter to Corinth (1 Corinthians 12:14-30). Notice the following verses in particular:
“For the body is not one member, but many” (1 Corinthians 12:14).
“But now there are many members, but one body” (1 Corinthians 12:20).
“Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27).
In this article, let us consider the topic of church membership. As we do, we will ask three questions: (1) What is church membership? (2) How do we become members? (3) What are members to do?
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The church in Corinth had many problems that Paul needed to address in his first letter to them. One of these problems had to do with a case of sexual immorality that was being tolerated by the church.
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:1-2, NKJV).
One of the members of the church at Corinth was engaged in a sexual relationship with “his father’s wife.” Likely, this means she was his stepmother rather than his biological mother. The Law of Moses condemned this type of relationship (Leviticus 18:8). But Paul pointed out that this was such a perversion that even the Gentile world generally understood it to be wrong.
Times have changed.
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In Luke’s gospel we read of an occasion when two sisters received a visit from the Lord. Those two sisters made two choices – one of these choices reflected the right priorities. Both of these women provide important lessons for us today.
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“To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7).
One of the terms used in the New Testament to refer to the people of God is saints. This was the term Paul used to address the Christians in Rome (Romans 1:7). It is important that we understand this term and why it was used.
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On one occasion, Jesus told a parable about a man who was considered a fool because of how he focused on his riches to the neglect of his soul. This parable was presented as a warning against greed and a reminder that there is more to our existence than material things (Luke 12:15).
“And He told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, “What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?” Then he said, “This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.’” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?” So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God’” (Luke 12:16-21).
Let us consider three brief lessons from this parable.
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What does “propitiation” mean? How is “justification” connected to salvation? What does “sanctification” look like in our day-to-day lives? The Bible uses some powerful words to describe God’s plan to save mankind. However, these words are not always easy to understand, especially when they are not part of our everyday vocabulary. This book explores key Bible terms that unlock the message of the gospel.
Big Words in the Bible examines five important words – Propitiation, Reconciliation, Sanctification, Justification, and Resurrection – using plain language to see how the Scriptures describe these concepts and how the apostle Paul employs them in his letter to the Romans. This book also contains an appendix with eleven additional articles to explore these topics further.
Whether you are new to the Bible and want to grow in your understanding or want a simple way to explain these core gospel doctrines to others, this book will be helpful. With a focus on the Scriptures, Big Words in the Bible helps break down these fundamental topics to shed light on the life-changing message of the gospel and the salvation found in it.
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