Biblical Teachings

Reflections Of all of the numerous passages that could be presented as a short definition of Christianity, perhaps the best one is found in Colossians: Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col 1:27) Christianity is CHRIST IN US, or if you prefer, Paul often speaks of US being IN CHRIST. These are the same Truth. There is certainly much that could be added as to how Christ comes to dwell in the believer, and of the Christian walk that emerges from His presence in us. But in the end, our personal Christianity is founded upon whether Christ dwells in …

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And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper. (Ps. 1:3) Jesus Christ in us through the Spirit of God is, “the river of living water.” It is only by being planted into Jesus Christ as our living river – as our life — that His life can become our life in a practical way. It is incorrect to say that Jesus Christ gives us a THING called, “eternal life.” No. Jesus Christ gives us HIMSELF …

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The Eagle Bears us Up The image of God as an eagle is found throughout the Bible but primarily in the Old Testament. It is a sign of strength and able to bear much weight, as Moses wrote, “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself” (Ex 19:4). This is further symbolized when Moses said of God “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions” (Duet 32:11). The eagle …

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The story of the Virgin Birth, sinless life and blameless death of Jesus Christ, an itinerant Jewish preacher from the Judean village of Nazareth is often and rightly called “the Greatest Story Ever Told.” What makes it great is its theme. A Child born to a young Jewish virgin and (as was supposed) a Jewish laborer of low estate Whose birth is announced by angels. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) The Child is the Son of God, come to bear the sins of the …

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Communicating Old Testament Prophecy December 31, 2016 dr_woodhead The New Testament frequently realizes fulfillments of Old Testament prophetic passages in various manners. Some have stated that there are in excess of six hundred allusions and quotations in the New Testament from the Old Testament. Others have alluded to the book of Revelation as having that many all by itself. Prophecy is obviously a significant component of the New Testament. Therefore, it is important for a correct reading of the New Testament to understand this issue so you can accurately assimilate the message that God is communicating. Without an appropriate understanding of …

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  “The love of God which the gospel publishes, and the sufferings of Christ for sinners, ought to melt the hardest heart and cause every hearer fervently to cry, “Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.” This message of glad tidings proclaims peace. It tells of deliverance from condemnation, and promises eternal life to all who receive it. Yet the fact remains that the great majority of those who hear it are scarcely affected and obtain no lasting advantage to their souls; and that perplexes many Christians. But the total depravity of man fully explains that lamentable state. In …

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  “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:9,10a KJV).   Let us praise the 2015 Person of the Year—our Lord Jesus Christ! Society’s most stressful time of year, the Christmas Season, is winding down. The year 2016 is nearly over, and a new year, 2017, will dawn soon. At this time every year, various groups and publications feature their particular choice for “Person of the Year.” Whether a chief of state, a philanthropist, a religious leader, a distinguished …

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Reflections There was a man who had fought in WWII and had, by his own admission, committed a number of terrible atrocities. He had killed women and children, etc. He was haunted by what he had done. But at a Bible study, when the subject of salvation came up, he said, “I could never be saved. My sins are too great.” There was a mixed reaction from the people who were there. Some told him that his sins were not as great as he thought. Others rightly told him that it didn’t matter how great his sins were, that Jesus …

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Gracethrufaith Question of the Day: Q. Thanks for such a wonderful opportunity to ask Bible-based questions. I so appreciate it! I have a friend who says salvation is based on “steps.” When I questioned her further, she said that means accepting Christ as her Savior, getting baptized, and being obedient. This is obviously against the Scriptures which clearly teaches trusting Christ as your Savior is the only way to Salvation. How can I best present this to her besides the usual John 3:16 or Ephesians 2:8,9 because she seems to know all the basic Scriptures, studies God’s Word daily, yet …

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Paul knew his time was short and made the most of his remaining days on earth. Luke 12:15-21 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and …

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Psalm 124 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say; 2 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: 3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: 4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: 5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. 6 Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. 7 Our soul is escaped as a bird …

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The Drudge Report headline read, “OBAMA BACKSTABS ISRAEL.” The New York Post titled their editorial on the subject, “Obama’s appalling UN betrayal.” It happened on the Friday afternoon before a Sunday Christmas. The United States allowed passage of a UN Security Council resolution that condemned Israel’s settlements and, in effect, proclaimed that every bit of land beyond the 1967 borders already belongs to the Palestinians. That includes East Jerusalem with the Temple Mount and the Wailing Wall. The original resolution had been sponsored by Egypt and scheduled for a vote on Thursday the 22nd. But a phone call from President-elect …

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The New Testament frequently realizes fulfillments of Old Testament prophetic passages in various manners. Some have stated that there are in excess of six hundred allusions and quotations in the New Testament from the Old Testament. Others have alluded to the book of Revelation as having that many all by itself. Prophecy is obviously a significant component of the New Testament. Therefore, it is important for a correct reading of the New Testament to understand this issue so you can accurately assimilate the message that God is communicating. Without an appropriate understanding of the proper reading of God’s Word, it …

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