In studying the Bible, we often stress the importance of understanding the context of a passage, and rightly so. If we take a passage out of context, we could walk away with an understanding that God never intended us to have.
I came across a good, brief article by Jered Smith in Ranger, TX that discusses what factors we must consider when studying the Bible so we understand what we read within its context. I would recommend checking it out.
Click on the link to read the article: Context
This Sunday is when many religious people celebrate Easter. Easter is used to commemorate the resurrection of Christ. Just when this day began to be observed is unknown. The practice is absent from the pages of the Bible.
However, we do have one mention of Easter in the Bible: “And when [Herod] had apprehended [Peter], he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quarternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people” (Acts 12:4, KJV).
Newer translations, however, do not use the word Easter. Instead, they use Passover. Why is that? Is it because the newer translations are inferior to the “authorized” King James Bible and are, therefore, wrong? No.
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There are several different names and titles used for God in the Bible. One interesting one is “Lord of Sabaoth” and is used twice in the New Testament (Romans 9:29; James 5:4). What exactly does this name mean?
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Have you made a resolution to spend more time reading your Bible? Or would you just like to have a more structured plan in reading through the word of God?
Bible study is important. But sadly it’s something that we often neglect as time goes on. Even with the work I do in preparing sermons and articles every week, I still always feel like I’m missing something. In all the study and preparation I do, the thing that becomes hard to keep up with is simply reading the Bible.
If you have a busy schedule too, you may well run into this problem as well – habitual reading and casual study of God’s word.
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In February we’re going to start studying 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus in the Sunday morning Bible class I teach. Tonight I’ve been working on the study guides. When I write a study guide, I divide them up a lesson per chapter. At the top of the page in each lesson I list a key verse in the chapter that states one of the main points.
After I finished 2 Timothy, I noticed a pattern in the verses I had chosen. 2 Timothy 1:13, 2:15, 3:16, and 4:2.
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One who decides to devote his life to the preaching of the gospel is to be commended. It is an important work and one which will always be needed. But how would a man who has decided to devote his life to the gospel prepare to do the work?
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“The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps” (Proverbs 14:15).
When it comes to things that pertain to the Bible, many have a belief that is based upon what someone has told them, whether that is a parent, preacher, pastor, etc. But we are being naive if we believe everything someone might tell us, regardless of how much respect we have for that person.
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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.
Available in print and digital format.
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