1st century Christianity in the 21st century
How did Peter find out that Jesus was the Messiah? Matthew 16:16-17 says that God revealed it to Him, but John 1:40-41 says that Andrew told him. Is there a contradiction?
Continue reading “How did Peter know Jesus was Messiah? Answering the Atheist.”
In Acts 8:5 we read, “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.” Later, the text records, “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized” (Acts 8:12).
Sometimes, when we preach on a controversial topic, people object by asking, “Why don’t you just preach Christ?” It is most assuredly essential to preach Christ. Even though some dishonest preachers were trying to increase Paul’s persecution while he was in prison, he rejoiced “that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached” (Philippians 1:15-18).
What, then, does it mean to preach Christ?
Continue reading “What It Means To Preach Christ”
There are some priceless things which come from the mouths of children. We’ve heard some great gems from a little boy we’ve babysat for the past few years. Some are humourous. He asked my why we always go to the grocery store. I told him, “to buy food,” to which he quickly retorted, “McDonald’s sells food too!” Some are touching. This past week, hearing that I injured a rib while playing hockey, he was in tears. When he saw me, he asked me not to play hockey again, saying, “because I don’t want you to get hurt again.” Another precious moment occurred when he commented on a Cheerios TV commercial using the song, “This Little Light of Mine.” In his mind, the song just didn’t match what was on the TV.. He stated with surprise, “Hey, that’s a Jesus song!”
Continue reading “That’s A Jesus Song! The Simple Faith of a Child”
The Lord’s baptism is of such importance that each gospel writer has left a record of it. Mark and Luke provide sparse details, while Matthew and John use Jesus’ bapttism to strongly affirm His deity and offer an authoritative example of baptism for all who wish to serve God.
Continue reading “Important Lessons from Jesus’ Baptism You Need to Know”In two places in the New Testament the genealogy of Jesus, son of Mary, is mentioned (Matthew 1:6-16 and Luke 3:23-31). These are obviously not the same genealogy. Also, how can Jesus have a genealogy when all Muslims and most Christians believe that Jesus had/has no father. Is there a contradiction?
Continue reading “Do Matthew and Luke disagree on Jesus’ genealogy? Answering the Atheist”Was Jesus the result of human or ghostly impregnation? In Acts 2:30, we read, “Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.” However, in Matthew 1:18, it is written, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” Is there a contradiction?
Continue reading “Jesus’ conception: of human or spiritual origin? Answering the Atheist”Is Jesus Equal to or lesser than the Father? In John 10:30, the apostle pens the words of Jesus, “I and My Father are one.” Again, His words are recorded in John 14:28, “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Faher is greater than I.”
Has Jesus contradicted Himself?
Continue reading “Does Jesus Share Full Equality With The Father, Or Is He Inferior? Answering The Atheist”
Throughout the Bible, we encounter those who suffer from leprosy. This horrid disease brought with it a host of hardships. Of the dreadful affliction, Barnes writes:
“…though the appearance of the disease is at first in the skin, yet it is deeply seated in the bones, and marrow, and joints of the body…A leprous person may live twenty, or thirty, or even fifty years, if he received the disease at his birth, but they will be years of indescribable misery. The bones and marrow are pervaded with the disease. The malady advances, from one stage to another, with slow and certain ruin. Life still lingers amidst the desolation; the joints, and hands, and feet, lose their power; and the body collapses, or falls together, in a form hideous and awful.”
Continue reading ““I Am Willing, Be Cleansed” – Embrace New Life In Jesus”
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me … Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father, there is one who accuses you – Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe Me words?” (John 5:39, 45-47)
Continue reading “Exploring Jesus’ Bold Declaration: “The Scriptures … Testify Of Me””