Who is ultimately responsible for Jesus’ death? Often, this question contains political and personal agendas. Some blame the Jews, citing the mob’s call for His death and their claim to bear the responsibility. Others blame Pilate because He was the one to declare the sentence. Many of us say we ourselves are to blame because Continue reading

Paul worked with congregations like Philippi and congregations like Corinth, some he could work with easily and draw as much encouragement from as he could offer. Others had serious difficulties, both between members of the congregation and scripturally. More often than not, we may find ourselves relating more to Corinth than to Philippi, and, in Continue reading

Congregation usually go in one of two directions – either forwards or backwards. Rarely do they successfully stay the same. From a personal perspective, Paul describes his efforts to grow as a Christian in Philippians 4:13-15, and congregations are similar. We either have to continue growing and improving, or we will slide backwards in dwelling Continue reading

Our Passover Sacrifice The setting for the last supper eaten by Jesus with His apostles was in contest of the Passover feast. In Exodus 12, the Passover is instituted as salvation from the Angel of Death that would pass through the land of Egypt. Each household was to select a lamb, sacrifice it, and spread Continue reading

When on Earth, was Jesus strictly a mortal man with a soul no different than you or me – completely separated from God? On the other hand, was Jesus God in the flesh? The Word Becomes Flesh In John 1:14, the gospel author records that the Word became flesh, and Galatians 4:4 records that Jesus Continue reading

Last week, we looked at a few events out of the first five books of the Bible as case studies we can learn by. As Paul writes in I Corinthians 10:1-12, this history of God’s people is recorded to provide a lesson to Christians, and, in this lesson, we are going to take a few Continue reading

We throw the term legalism around somewhat casually – especially when looking at the Scribes and the Pharisees. In fact, many of us would be considered legalists by members of other congregations. However, legalism is not necessarily solely defined by one’s concern with adhering to God’s word. Rather, it is in the attitude toward that Continue reading

Jesus refers to Himself through several “I am” statements and through the designation “Son of man.” In Matthew 16:13, Jesus asks His disciples who they believe He – the Son of man – is, and He seems to use this designation as a means of connecting Himself with the Old Testament and the prophets. It Continue reading

Jesus encouraged the populace to listen to the teachings of the Pharisees while disregarding their examples, and this leads to a question: Is it possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason? Does the wrong motivation invalidate the right action? Jonah, for example, is a character who demonstrates reluctance to preach to the Continue reading