When a storm is ahead, a good pilot will do what it takes to save his passengers. After repeated warnings through flight attendants, the pilot’s commanding voice comes through loud and clear: “My job is to get you safely home.Your job is to do what I say. Now buckle up!” Was the pilot insensitive? Angry?
One of the most courageous men of all time was Stephen, the first Christian martyr. He was “full of grace and power.” Enemies of Christ opposed him but they “could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by which he spoke.” They seized him and brought him before the high court. When he
When storms and hurricanes are approaching, many warnings of danger have gone out, but some pay no attention or take a chance and are killed. Jesus established His church. He issued many warnings about dangers of false teachers who would lead, people astray: “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but
“There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Give me my share.’ So he divided his property between them.” “Soon the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and squandered his wealth in wild living. After he spent everything, there was a
Jesus ordained the memorial supper the night in which He was betrayed. He told them He would not eat the supper again with His disciples until they would be “in the kingdom.” He said it was to be “in remembrance of me” (Lk 22:19-23). Paul spoke more at length of the supper in the church,
The prophet Hosea (750 BC) summed up the indictment against Israel in one word; “Whoredom.” Israel had done worse than adultery. As a harlot she had prostituted herself with Baal worship for hire (2:12-13). The people were without knowledge of God (4:6) and ignorant of His law (8:12). Hosea rebuked the people of Israel severely
“Do you love me more than these?” Jesus asked Peter this question. And He asks YOU the same question today. 1. Do you love the Lord more than your kinsmen? Are you willing to leave your family’s church or religion if it is not authorized in the Bible? Jesus said: “He who loves father or
established by Him in 33 AD in Jerusalem. Under the direction of the apostles, the disciples “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). They heard the gospel, repented and were baptized (immersed) “for the forgiveness of their sins” then received the gift
Mona Lisa When famous works of art like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa are studied with a view of restoring their original beauty,-the more closely they are examined the more evident is the genius of the artist. Today our aim is to unveil the divine genius in the design of first century Christianity and to
The scriptures reveal that Christianity has been ordered after a pattern and therefore possess a distinct identity. Back of the pattern and the identity of the church lay the eternal purpose of God. His plan of redemption was foreordained before the foundation of the world. Christ fulfilled it (Eph 1:9-11; 3:10-11); the Holy Spirit revealed