The Eternal Gospel

Crosses

We generally divide Biblical history into three dispensations: the Patriarchal age, Mosaic age, and the Gospel age. When people speak of “dispensations,” they are simply referring to the method by which God revealed His will to man. First He revealed His will to the heads of families (Patriarchal age). Then He gave the nation of Israel the Law of Moses (Mosaic age). Finally, the gospel of Christ was revealed (Gospel age). We live in this third and final dispensation.

While these are perfectly acceptable distinctions, we need to recognize that the gospel is different from the other messages that have been delivered. In the book of Revelation, this final message is described as “an eternal gospel” (Revelation 14:6). When we talk about the three dispensations, we ought to recognize that the gospel had its beginning before either of the first two.

The term gospel simply means “good news.” The “good news” is the message of Christ and His salvation. As we can see from the Scriptures, this good news began long before we read of it in the New Testament.
Continue Reading

In the Days of Those Kings

While in Babylonian captivity, Daniel had the opportunity to meet with King Nebuchadnezzar and interpret the king’s dream. The magicians and sorcerers of the land were unable to interpret the dream for the king because he required them to first tell him his dream. Daniel, however, was able to both tell and interpret the dream by the power of God. All of this is recorded in Daniel 2.
Continue Reading

The Disciples Were Called Christians

Antioch of Syria

The book of Acts records the establishment of the church and the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. The church in Jerusalem thrived until persecution arose and caused the disciples to be scattered (Acts 8:1-4). Some of those who were scattered found their way to Antioch (Acts 11:19). Up to that point, the disciples who were scattered had only taught fellow Jews about the gospel; but in Antioch, some of them “began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus” (Acts 11:20). This preaching resulted in many being taught and turning to the Lord (Acts 11:21-26). It is here in Antioch – where we find the first congregation made up of both Jews and Gentiles – that “the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26).

What does it mean that they were “called Christians”? Where did this name originate? There are two possibilities. One idea is that the term Christian was a derogatory label used by the disciples’ enemies and was later adopted by the disciples. The other idea is that this is a divine calling and that Christian was a God-given name. I believe we can use the Bible to show that the latter is true – the name Christian was a name given to the disciples by God, not by their enemies (in fact, there is not even any mention in Acts of persecution in Antioch).
Continue Reading

Genesis: A Book of Beginnings

Genesis

The Bible is a book of books – a collection of inspired writings that reveal God’s will for mankind. In it we find God’s great plan to save man from his sins. The first book is Genesis, a book of beginnings, which helps lay the foundation for the rest of the Bible. Let us notice a few significant things that had their beginning in Genesis.
Continue Reading

What is the Bible?

[This article was written by Tim Haile.]

Though this fact is ignored by some and denied by others, the Bible is the word of God. Being such, it is Truth (John 17:17). Those who are honest cannot deny the indisputable evidence in favor of the Bible’s claim of divine authorship. The Bible is the only book known to mankind that was written by forty different men while having only one author: The Bible claims to be authored by God. Proof of this single authorship is seen in the fact that the Bible really contains only one purpose and plan, and is the development of one scheme of redemption. We are redeemed by the blood of Christ (Revelation 5:9), but the Lamb of God is also identified as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” and the “Root of David” (Revelation 5:5). Thus, traces of the scheme of redemption can be found throughout the Bible. In fact, Revelation 13:8 identifies Jesus as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Continue Reading

“My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?”

Crucifixion

My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Jesus uttered these words as He hung on the cross. But what do these words mean? Some believe Jesus asked this question because the Father had actually forsaken Him. They say the Father “turned His back” on Christ. This idea is so common, you might expect to see those actual words used in the text. They are not. The Bible does not say the Father turned His back on His Son. But was Jesus in fact “forsaken” by the Father? Or do these words have another meaning?
Continue Reading