Some churches are so focused on numbers that they will do almost anything to boost their numbers – attendance, membership, conversions, etc. Any Christian with a love for the Lord and for others would certainly prefer to see an increase in these numbers, but not at all costs. We need to recognize that there are certain things that are more important than numbers. In this article, we will notice seven of these that are presented to us in the New Testament.Continue Reading
This series has been about “the Way.” The point of this study was not just to learn what the Bible says about it. The purpose has been for YOU to make a decision.
The vital question that must be answered is this: Do you belong to the Way?Continue Reading
“And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus” (Acts 19:8-9).
With all of the good that is spoken about “the Way” in the Scriptures, it is not without its difficulties. There are troubles that come by following this path and these are clearly shown to us in the word of God. So in this final lesson, we will discuss the troubles that come from following “the Way.”Continue Reading
“Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1-2).
Persecution against the church began with the death of Stephen (Acts 8:1). Saul continued this persecution with a plan to go to Damascus to arrest disciples and bring them back to Jerusalem. The ones who were targeted for persecution were those who were “belonging to the Way.” We will discuss the idea of persecution in the next lesson.
However, before these individuals were targeted, they first had to belong to “the Way.” In this lesson, we are going to see what the Scriptures teach about “belonging to the Way” – how to become a part of this group and remain in it.Continue Reading
“But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, ‘When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case’” (Acts 24:22).
When Paul stood before rulers on trial, some knew nothing of the background of his teaching or the church. However, Felix had “a more exact knowledge of the Way.” Because of this knowledge, he was in a better position than others to believe Paul’s message and accept the gospel as the truth. As far as we know, Felix never did obey the gospel (cf. Acts 24:24-27); but he did start in a better position than many others did when they first heard the gospel.
In order for “the Way” to be of any benefit to us, we must know of it. What people had to know in the first century about “the Way” is the same as what we need to know about it. As we noticed in the previous lesson, Jesus is “the way” (John 14:6). Furthermore, He does not change: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, “the Way” has not changed.
“The Way” described to us in the New Testament is still “the Way” we are to go. We need to develop “a more exact knowledge about the Way” (Acts 24:22). So let us notice what the Scriptures teach us about “the Way.”Continue Reading
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me’” (John 14:6).
As we begin this series of lessons, we must start with the originator, author, and leader of “the Way” – Jesus Christ.Continue Reading
In deciding what direction to go in life, many people choose to “follow their heart.” Whatever seems good or appears to provide fulfillment is the course that they pursue. This can be done with sincere motives and the appearance of wisdom, but in the end this path will not provide the fulfillment that we expect or desire.
Determining the course we will take in life by following our heart is dangerous. The Lord said, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). How many times have people followed their heart and ruined their lives, making decisions that brought harm to themselves and to others?
The prophet Jeremiah acknowledged, “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Pursuing the course that we decide upon is “futility and striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:17). When people realize this, it becomes a source of consistent frustration. This is why Solomon wrote, “So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind. Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun…” (Ecclesiastes 2:17-18).
If our heart is deceitful and our way is not in ourselves, how do we determine the way we need to go in life?Continue Reading
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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