Untimely Deaths in the Book of Acts

Judas (Acts 1:15-20) Judas’ death recorded earlier (Matthew 27:3-5), but discussed here His death fulfilled Old Testament prophecy (Acts 1:20; Psalm 69:25; 109:8) He was a disciple (Acts 1:17) — Christians can betray Christ just as Judas did (Hebrews 6:6) Ananias & Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) Follows accounts of great benevolence by Christians in Jerusalem (Acts […]

Taking Stock

Where Have We Been? Born innocent, without sin (Ecclesiastes 7:29) All who have reached an accountable age have sinned (Romans 3:23) Sin separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2; Ephesians 2:1-3) Without direction (Jeremiah 10:23) Where Are We Now? Those who have not had their sins forgiven are still in the condition described above Christians have […]

All Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Text: Ephesians 1:3-14 Spiritual Blessings Predestination (v. 4-5) — God was able to foreknow who would be saved: those who were holy and blameless Grace (v. 6) — God’s gift of salvation, given to us freely, not according to what we deserve Redemption (v. 7) — God purchased us, bought us back from our bondage […]

Lessons from a Fallen Preacher

Don’t Put Your Trust in Men – 1 Corinthians 4:6 Pride Goes Before Destruction – 1 Corinthians 10:12 Don’t Flirt with Sin – 2 Timothy 3:13 Pleasure vs. Consequences of Sin – Hebrews 11:25; Proverbs 13:15 Encourage One Another – Hebrews 3:13 Be Ready to Forgive – Luke 17:3-4 Read the article: Lessons from a […]

You Must Be Born Again

Text: John 3:1-8 The Kingdom is Open to All Jew or Gentile, young or old, etc. But one must be born again – even the Jews, God’s chosen people What is the New Birth? Of water and the Spirit Baptism – by water (Acts 8:36-38) and by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13) Comparison between Physical […]

“Behold, the Lamb of God”

Text: John 1:29 Clues John gave about Christ: Jesus Was Perfect – The lamb for the sacrifice had to be perfect (Exodus 12:5) Jesus Would Have to Die – He was a sacrifice (Matthew 16:21; Isaiah 53:7) They Were in Bondage to Sin – The sacrifice began the deliverance from bondage (Exodus 12; John 8:32-34) Sacrifices Were Ending – […]

Quibbles about Baptism

Misused Passages: Mark 16:16 – baptism not in second clause (but if one does not believe, they naturally will not obey) Luke 23:39-43 – the thief on the cross was saved without baptism (also before Jesus’ death, we live under a different law – Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 9:17) Acts 2:38 – we are baptized for […]