March 4, 2026

Three Indictments

Gavel

“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:26-29).

In this passage, the Hebrew writer addressed the problem of those who would “go on sinning willfully” (Hebrews 10:26). These individuals previously had their “hearts sprinkled clean” and their “bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22). In other words, they were Christians – forgiven of their sins after obeying the gospel. However, in the verses above, the Hebrew writer made three indictments against the ones who were “sinning willfully.”

What do we mean by using the term indictment? An indictment is a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime. In the passage above, the Hebrew writer was not just indicting these brethren of sin. It was more than that. There were three things they were doing because they continued in sin.

The warning in this passage is helpful for us to consider. Understanding this passage will help us recognize the severity of sin and how we should behave instead.Continue Reading

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March 24, 2025

Big Words in the Bible (Part 1): Propitiation

Big Words in the Bible

Of all the words we will discuss in our series, this one may be the most difficult to understand simply because it is not typically used in everyday conversation. Yet it is a vitally important concept because of its connection to Jesus’ death on the cross. See what the apostle Paul wrote about this:

“But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:21-26).

The Greek word hilasterion is translated as propitiation. The New International Version uses the phrase sacrifice of atonement. It refers to a sacrifice to appease or satisfy God in order to turn His wrath away from those who sinned. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was a propitiatory sacrifice in that it turned away God’s wrath and provided us with an opportunity to be saved.Continue Reading

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February 5, 2025

Why Did Jesus Die on the Cross?

Crucifixion

Many people talk about our purpose as Christians in terms that seem to have reduced it to things that pertain to this world – loving others, being a good neighbor, being part of a close-knit community of Christians, and so on. All those are good and important, but is that all there is to being a Christian?

If the Lord’s purpose for us is that we would essentially be part of one big social club that makes a positive impact on those around us, we might ask the question: Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?

After all, even atheists and religious people who do not believe in Christ (Muslims, Hindus, Jews, etc.) can form close relationships with others and help the people around them. Yet none of them acknowledge the Lordship of Christ, and they believe the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth was nothing more than a historical fact (if that).

If we reduce Christianity to being nothing more than eating together, helping one another, and showing concern for those around us, how are we different from atheists and unbelievers who simply try to get along with others and help those in need?Continue Reading

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May 9, 2018

“In an Unworthy Manner”

Communion Cup

Shortly before His death, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper as a memorial of His sacrifice – the bread represented His body that was to be hung on the cross and the fruit of the vine represented His blood that would be shed (Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:17-20). After reminding the Corinthians about the basic instructions regarding the practice of the Lord’s Supper which he “received from the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), Paul warned them not to observe this memorial “in an unworthy manner.”

“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly” (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

Paul indicated that Christians would be observing this memorial of “the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26); therefore, we still partake of the Lord’s Supper today. Because of this, we need to seriously consider the warning that Paul gave to the Corinthians lest we become guilty of eating and drinking “in an unworthy manner.”Continue Reading

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March 26, 2018

Great Days in History (Part 3): The Day of Jesus’ Crucifixion

Great Days in History

“Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. The soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they called together the whole Roman cohort. They dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; and they began to acclaim Him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing before Him. After they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him. […] Then they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He did not take it. And they crucified Him…” (Mark 15:15-24).

After being born into this world and living a relatively short life here, Jesus died. However, more than anyone else, His death was significant. The day of Jesus’ crucifixion was the day in which He died on the cross for our sins. As we have already seen, this was part of God’s plan from the beginning (Revelation 13:8).Continue Reading

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August 2, 2017

By What Are We Justified?

Man at sunset

The concept of justification is of major importance in the gospel. But what does it mean to be justified? Thayer defines the word as declaring or pronouncing one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be.

In the New Testament, justification is about God recognizing us as being righteous or right before Him. This divine recognition is key. We are not righteous simply by declaring ourselves to be righteous. We may claim it, but that does not make it so. How then can we be justified? The New Testament mentions several things by which we are justified. We will notice them in this article.
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December 21, 2016

The Grace of God Has Appeared

Titus 2:11

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:11-14).

In the passage above, Paul reminded Titus of the grace of God – what it does for us and also what it requires of us. Many like to think of grace in terms of what we receive, but not what we must do. Yet we must accept all that the Bible teaches about it. Let us examine this passage and see what it teaches about the grace of God.
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