I know Jesus died for my sins, but why did He have to die? Couldn’t God have just forgiven sinful humanity? The song “In Christ Alone,” by Keith and Kristyn Getty, contains one stanza that speaks to your question. It says that Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins satisfied the wrath of God. […]

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In the Great Commission we are told to obey Jesus’ commandments. Are they different from God’s? In a word, no. Jesus’ commandments are the heart of God for humanity. Jesus of Nazareth is both truly God and truly man, being with the Father eternally and working collaboratively in creation (Genesis 1:26; John 1:1-3, 10; Colossians […]

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Is the kingdom present or future? Why does Jesus talk about it both ways? An important fact must be acknowledged. Not only present and future, as the question states, but always: There was, is, and always will be a kingdom because God is eternal. God eternally reigns sovereign over the realm that is His kingdom. […]

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The Virgin Birth is central to Christian theology. It ensures that Jesus lived on this earth being truly God and truly human, did not inherit a sinful nature from an earthly father, and was the perfect sacrifice for human salvation.  The Virgin Birth demonstrates God’s unique initiative in redemption, fulfills prophecy, and establishes Jesus’ identity […]

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The word incarnation comes from a Latin word that means “to be made flesh” (John 1:14). The Incarnation is the Christian belief that Jesus was the Son of God and son of man — truly human and truly divine. From eternity, the Son entered history and took on the nature of flesh from a virgin […]

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Watching is about living each day with a sense of urgency, eagerly anticipating the Lord’s return while actively participating in His work in the present. The instruction to watch signifies a spiritual state of vigilance, and it is used in several ways. In some occurrences, the instruction includes more than one of these areas. Hence […]

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The “patience of the saints” in the Revelation of Jesus Christ (13:10; 14:12) refers to the steadfast perseverance of believers in the face of trials and tribulation. Specifically, it identifies their unwavering commitment to God’s law and their active faith in Jesus. Grasping the context for John’s use of the phrase reminds us he is […]

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Context is key. Drawing from the three Gospels that record this saying (Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27), Jesusinstructs His disciples that 1) the kingdom of God is near; 2) He is the promised Messiah; 3) He must die and beraised again; 4) His disciples must take up their cross and follow Him; and then […]

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Simply put, it means to allow the Holy Spirit freedom to work in the individual and community of believers. So the phrase “quench the Spirit” can be understood as actively hindering the Spirit’s work by extinguishing, suffocating, or ignoring His leading. More specifically, and in context with the next verse, “Do not despise prophecies” (v. […]

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No. Transubstantiation is unbiblical and unreasonable. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the doctrine states that the bread and wine’s substance changes, but their appearance remains the same. Very few doctrines so strongly separate Catholics and other Christians as this one. It was not part of Christian dogma until adopted in 1215 at the Fourth Lateran […]

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The pastor is accountable first to God and then to the congregation. It is tempting to choose a candidate who can serve the people. A more mature approach is to choose someone who serves God by caring for the flock and teaching them how to make disciples. The following method is a proven process. 1. […]

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Is it permissible for Christians to charge one another interest on loans?   The law condemns usury, particularly to poor brethren: “If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, . . . you shall not charge him interest” (Exodus 22:25). On the contrary, generosity is instructed: “But you shall […]

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