The second hindrance to a walk in light is deception. You can tell in verse 18 as we have said that John felt that the… Read More »1 John 2:18-24 – Warning concerning the last hour and antichrists
Today, we start our journey in the book of 1 John. Having finished our study on Hebrews and looking at other topics like my depression… Read More »Introduction to 1 John
Hebrews 2 tells us to listen to Jesus. Listen to Jesus because the penalties for ignoring Him are too severe. If we ignore Jesus, we… Read More »Hebrews 2:1-4 – So Great a Salvation
Before we start our study on our next book, today I want to take a moment to share an article with you I wrote. This… Read More »Leadership Observations from the Life of Moses
Introduction Since the Bible was written in the Hebrew (and Aramaic) and Greek languages, the modern reader finds herself or himself at some distance from… Read More »Why and how to do a word study
From the rich, James turned to the restless. For these, he again used the friendly address, “brethren.” The tone turns from stark condemnation to sensitive… Read More »James 5:7-12 – Patience in Suffering
The basic problem of self-deception and double-mindedness raised in chapter 1 is at the root of the problem with inactive faith confronted in chapter 2.… Read More »James 3:1-5 – The Tongue
I was asked to write an article on the word “apostle” found in Scripture, how it is used, and if it is still applicable to today (or did it cease after the last apostle died). This stems from an older movie called “The Apostle” as well as other modern-day pastors/preachers calling themselves apostles. This is a three part-series where today we will focus on introducing the subject, reviewing the movie, and beginning to look at the usage of the word “apostle.”
The word “apostle” and its meaning is easily misunderstood. Many seem to think that apostle only refers to members of the original twelve men called by Christ. But what about Matthias? He became an apostle in Acts when he was chosen to replace Judas. Also, Paul considered himself an apostle as did many others of that time. Since Paul’s letters are some of the earliest writings of the New Testament, and since he uses the Greek word for apostles, apostolos, more than any other author in the New Testament, all historical investigations of the origin, meaning and significance of the word properly begin with his letters.[1] However, many dispute Paul’s claims at being an apostle for various reasons which leads back to the matter at hand of apostleship. What is an apostle and how does one become an apostle? This paper will show that there are two definitions for an apostle, one in a narrow or provides a definition in the technical sense and the other in a broad or non-technical sense. Apostle refers to the twelve members originally called by Jesus and includes Matthias and Paul who both met the qualification of Acts 1:21; and the word apostle refers to those sent as messengers of the church. It will be shown that unlike Sonny from the film The Apostle, who declared himself an apostle, that people were declared apostles by others for a purpose. This paper will examine the film The Apostle and how the word apostle is used. In addition, the narrow and broad use of the word apostle will be examined including qualifications to be an apostle and whether or not Paul was an actual apostle.
Read More »The Concept of the Apostles in Film and Scripture
Having finished our devotional study on Colossians, we now move to a new book. Today, we start our study on the Book of James. Also, this post will mainly be an introduction to the book of James by looking at its authorship, date, recipients, and a general summary of the book. I have provided a significance study on the book of James previously and would suggest that as a primer as well.
Few books of the Bible have been more maligned than the little Book of James. Controversy has waged over its authorship, its date, its recipients, its canonicity, and its unity.
Martin Luther famously took issue with the book of James. He didn’t think it expressed the “nature of the Gospel,” it appeared to contradict Paul’s statements about justification by faith, and it didn’t directly mention Christ. He said James “is really an epistle of straw, compared to these others, for it has nothing of the nature of the Gospel about it.” However, that “straw” is really one that sticks and pricks. James has enough strawy needles to prick the conscience of every dull, defeated, and collapsed Christian in the world. James is able to exhort and encourage, to challenge and convict, to rebuke and revive, to describe practical holiness and drive believers toward the goal of a faith that works. James is one of the most practical books in the NT because it offers instruction and exhortation to Christians who are experiencing problems, as all of us do.
Considered one of the General Epistles, James, like the epistles of Peter, John, and Jude, is an letter addressed not to individual churches or persons but to a larger sphere of believers. The teaching in these general letters complements the doctrine of Paul. Paul emphasized faith; James stressed conduct; Peter, hope; John, love; and Jude, purity.[1]
How was Paul able to maintain his perspective while in prison? With so many churches so close to his heart, how was he able to keep up with helping each one face their own unique challenge? Was he a superman? No. He had help.
In the concluding verses of the letter to the Colossians, Paul does more than send along personal greetings. He gives us a glimpse into his fellowship of encouragement. Paul set an example for mature interpersonal relations. Besides remembering his friends and companions, he expressed genuine concern for them. We, too, will need others if we are to maintain the vitality in ministry which Paul exemplifies.
Read More »Colossians 4:7-18 – A Community of Believers