February 1, 2009

How to Become a Christian

Paul before Agrippa

As Paul was provided time to make a defense before Agrippa, he took advantage of the opportunity to teach the king and all those who were present about the gospel. When Paul asked him if he believed the Prophets, Agrippa replied, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28). The wording of Agrippa’s response may be different in your Bible, depending on which translation you have. Another version says, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (KJV). Regardless of which translation you use, it is plain to see that Agrippa understood Paul’s intention. He was trying to persuade the king to become a Christian.

Paul replied to the king, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains” (Acts 26:29). Paul was a Christian. He wanted all those around him to also be Christians. But how does one become a Christian? We can look and see how Paul became one and learn what we must do to become such as he is.
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February 1, 2009

Jesus – The Great Debater

Jesus Debating

One aspect about Jesus that is often ignored is His ability to debate. There is a reason for this. To say that religious debates are not popular in our time is an understatement. Yet the ability to debate is a valuable skill for those who would endeavor to teach the gospel to others. Jesus was so effective that Luke recorded four occasions in just one chapter (Luke 20) in which Jesus silenced His opponents. He did so by presenting arguments that could not be combated.

Paul described the work of spreading the gospel as “destroying speculation and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). We are not to try to force anyone or trick anyone into obeying the gospel. We persuade people by dismantling the arguments used against the truth.

When Jesus silenced His opponents four times in Luke 20, He was able to do so without turning the common people against Him (Luke 19:48; 21:38). We must develop our abilities to confound our opponents while also persuading the people. In order to help us do this, let us notice how Jesus silenced His opponents.
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January 25, 2009

Faith Healers or Fake Healers?

Faith Healing

There are many people today who believe that there are still men who can perform miraculous healing. These “faith healers” attract large crowds and supposedly heal many people of their diseases and injuries. However, these “faith healers” are deceivers. If we compare their “miracles” with those recorded in the Bible, there is really no comparison.

Let us notice the example of Peter healing the lame man at the gate of the temple (Acts 3:1-10). Notice the facts about this miracle and how they differ from the “miracles” men supposedly perform today:
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January 13, 2009

The Deity of Christ in Hebrews 1

Hebrews

Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 3:17). While He was on the earth “all the fullness of Deity [dwelt] in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). Yet there are some who reject the Deity of Christ, claiming that He surrendered His Deity when He came to earth.

The Hebrew writer appealed to his audience to not go back to the Old Law. He made several points about why the new way with Christ was better than the old way. He began the book by talking about Christ. In the first chapter alone, there are several statements that show us that Jesus is God:
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January 10, 2009

Three Tabernacles

The Transfiguration of Christ

Luke recorded the Transfiguration of Jesus (Luke 9:28-36). Jesus went up on a mountain with Peter, James, and John. The three disciples fell asleep and awoke to find Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah.

This would have been an incredible sight for the disciples – Jesus their Master with two of the great figures of Jewish history. Peter reacted quickly to this scene: “‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah’—not realizing what he was saying” (Luke 9:33).
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January 1, 2009

The Passing of Time

Hourglass

God is eternal, having existed before the creation of the universe (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 102:27). Therefore, He is not bound by time as we are. He created time as a framework for our lives.

Naturally, we tend to think of the passing of time as inevitable. But one day time will be destroyed (done away with) along with all of God’s creation (2 Peter 3:10).
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January 1, 2009

How Jesus Became Like Us

Jesus Knocking

Jesus came to earth in order to save man from sin (Matthew 1:21; Luke 19:10). This was God’s plan from the beginning (Ephesians 3:11) and was put in motion shortly after sin entered the world (Genesis 3:15). In order to save us, Jesus first had to be made like us.

“Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).

How was Jesus made like us? Completely? Or was there some sense in which He already like us?
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