April 15, 2026

Repeated for Emphasis

Emphasis

Several passages in the Bible repeat a phrase to emphasize a thought and help us remember it. We will notice a few in this article.

But why is this necessary?

Oftentimes, we may hear something, understand it, but immediately think of an excuse to justify not doing it. We think, perhaps even subconsciously, “Yeah, but…” and then come up with a reason for not doing what we are told to do. Then we dismiss it. Yet when the instruction is repeated, our minds receive a signal that we really do need to take this seriously. So let us consider a few examples in the New Testament.Continue Reading

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April 14, 2025

Big Words in the Bible (Part 4): Justification

Big Words in the Bible

We have already discussed how we are reconciled to God and set apart as His special people (sanctified). This means we can be in a right standing before God. Yet it is important to understand how this comes about. Paul used the example of Abraham to explain this.

“What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness…” (Romans 4:1-5).

The Greek word for justification (dikaiosis), which is used in verses that follow our text (Romans 4:25; 5:18), refers to God declaring man to be free from guilt and right before Him. The word in our text (dikaioo) means that one is declared to be acceptable to God. The words translated righteous (dikaios) and righteousness (dikaiosyne) are related to this. God can declare us to be right before Him because of Jesus’ death on the cross. Without His sacrifice, we could not be right (justified) before God.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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May 16, 2024

Not Enough Preaching on Grace? (05/16/24)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re talking about preaching on the topic of grace. Do we preach on that enough? Or is it, as some claim, a neglected topic among brethren? There are some terrible consequences that come if we do neglect this subject. We’re going to notice what these are, and what we need to be teaching about grace.Continue Reading

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June 30, 2021

Lessons from the Farmer

Farmer

We are living in anticipation of the Lord’s return. Jesus promised His apostles, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3). We are looking forward to that same hope. All the faithful – living and dead – will “meet the Lord in the air” when He returns and then “we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). This is a comforting thought for the Christian (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Peter spoke of the certainty of this event, but explained that the timing of it was unknown: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). We can be assured that this day is coming, but we do not know when it will be.

Since this is the reality of our existence here on the earth, James encouraged us to be patient. In doing so, he cited the example of a farmer to make his point:

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near” (James 4:7-8).

Continue Reading

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November 16, 2020

Thankful (Part 4): Thankful for Our Hope

Thankful

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:52-57).

In Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he spent the entire fifteenth chapter discussing the resurrection. The resurrection is the reason why our hope as Christians is better than anything for which others may hope. No matter what happens in this life – even when we face difficult situations, including the eventual end in death – our hope remains as long as we continue to faithfully serve the Lord.Continue Reading

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August 5, 2020

The Cross as a Symbol

Cross and sunset

It is common to see the image of a cross being used as a symbol – a symbol of “Christianity,” an image in art and jewelry, and so on. However, that is not what we will be discussing here. A Christian does not need a cross around his neck, nor does a church need a cross on its building. Instead, we will be talking about “the word of the cross” (1 Corinthians 1:18) – the message of the gospel.

In the gospel, the cross is shown as a symbol representing some fundamental concepts. In following Christ, we are to take up our cross (Luke 9:23), making the same traits which are symbolized by the cross manifested in our lives.

So what does the cross symbolize?Continue Reading

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