by admin | May 16, 2012 | A Monotonous Cycle, What Kind of Carpenter is Jesus?
I don’t know how public Solomon was with his discontent, but I doubt he kept his secrets any better than other politicians. Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion, he wrote in the end of Ecclesiastes. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is...
by admin | May 15, 2012 | Forgiveness, Introduction
Jesus gave his disciples the following rule (Matthew 10:32, 33 NET): Whoever, then, acknowledges (ὁμολογήσει, a form of ὁμολογέω) me before people, I will acknowledge (ὁμολογήσω, another form of ὁμολογέω) before my Father in heaven.1 But whoever denies (ἀρνήσηται, a...
by admin | May 15, 2012 | A Monotonous Cycle, What Kind of Carpenter is Jesus?
I didn’t read the Old Testament much until I was a philosophical and legalistic young man fighting my way back from atheism. I had already decided to side with God, more or less. The more I read the Old Testament the more I hated the Israelites, stupid, rebellious...
by admin | May 14, 2012 | A Monotonous Cycle, What Kind of Carpenter is Jesus?
I have considered a passage in the Bible that seemed at first glance like a laundry list of Solomon’s wealth and power. I added more biblical background and found the same passage a fulfillment of God’s promise to Solomon. Then I read more and the laundry list...
by admin | May 13, 2012 | Forgiveness, Gospel Proclamations, Holy Spirit, Introduction
Jesus’ disciples waited in Jerusalem as He instructed them. When the Holy Spirit came upon them, a crowd gathered (Acts 2:14-41 NET). Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them: “You men of Judea and all1 you who live in Jerusalem, know this...
by admin | May 13, 2012 | A Monotonous Cycle, What Kind of Carpenter is Jesus?
When the people settled in the promised land of Israel, they were remarkably free of governmental control. They were responsible to God and his laws, corporately and individually. There was a priestly governance of sorts in place, responsible for the sacrificial...
by admin | May 13, 2012 | Forgiveness, Introduction
If Jesus prayed Father, leave them (ἄφετε αὐτούς), for they don’t know what they are doing, as He was crucified rather than Father, forgive them (αφες αυτοις), for they don’t know (οἴδασιν, a form of εἴδω) what they are doing (ποιοῦσιν, a form of ποιέω), that’s a big...
by admin | May 7, 2012 | Forgiveness, Introduction
After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to his disciples (John 20:21-23 NET): So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.” And after he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you...
by admin | Apr 30, 2012 | Holy Spirit, Introduction
Luke recorded the following concerning the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13 NET): Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all1 together2 in one place. Suddenly a sound like a violent wind blowing came from heaven and filled (ἐπλήρωσεν, a form of πληρόω)...
by admin | Apr 30, 2012 | What Kind of Carpenter is Jesus?
God said it. I believe it. That settles it. This is the epitome of the relationship between truth and faith I inherited from my elders. I could tell by the way they said it, it was meant to be a direct arc, a syllogism where the minor premise—“I believe it”—and the...