First Epistle of Peter

You see, what I am writing is not just theoretical or dry theology. Not only do I believe that what I am writing is true, I believe it is at our doorstep. As far as I am concerned, it is a surety. If you truly believe in something, you stand up for it, no matter what the cost, even if that cost is one’s life. Solomon said that there is a time for everything under the sun; a time to laugh, a time to cry, a time to live and a time to die. (Ecclesiastes 3;2) I will never forget an interview I saw with Christopher Hitchens who — although I fundamentally disagreed with — I respected. He was sick with cancer that would soon take his life. The first question out of the interviewer’s mouth was, “How are you doing? Hitchens, without missing a beat, said in his dry, articulate style, “I’m dying.” He paused one second and continued, “And so are…

points: 1. Accept one another because God accepts us in Christ (Rom. 14:1,3; 15:7). 2. Do not judge each other because Jesus is our only LORD and Judge (Rom. 14:3-12). 3. Love is more important than personal freedom (Rom. 14:13-21). 4. Follow Jesus’ example and lay down your rights for others’ edification and good (Rom. 15:1-13). I think that in order to understand these Scriptures, you need to understand what was going on at that time and right before Paul wrote them. The main thing was that…

Paul’s final call of the church in Colossians 3:1-15 is witnessed in Colossians 3:14-15 which reads, “And above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Both love and thankfulness, but especially love, are some of Christ’s most prominent characteristics. 1 John 4:19 states, “We love because he first loved us.” (ESV 1 John 4:19) Again, we are taught to…

Why me? Thoughts race through my head as I wonder why I am someone standing in front of all these people leading them to the King’s throne through song. I know this is where God has nudged me, but why do I feel so ill-equipped. Beginning to ponder the words in my head, I start to believe that I’m not worthy to do this. I don’t know enough. I am not talented enough. I have screwed up way too much. The truth is all of that is true. “I” am not worthy, “I” do not have the same amount of talent or…

In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, God created both male and female in His own image (Genesis 1:27). With both man and woman being made in the image of God, both are in equal standing before God; yet, within their equal standing, men and women have different roles. The different roles were created to be complementary, meaning, the roles that God created for men and women are in perfect balance of each other (Genesis 2:23). The complementary role that God created for women includes, but is…

reflection of an internal relationship of faith with God could also attain eternal life though Christ (even if they have no conscious knowledge of him) just as “saved” Old Testament Jews like Abraham or Moses received salvation. 2. What does “propitiation” mean and from what arena did Paul derive this metaphor for salvation? Paul takes the term “propitiation” from the world of religious worship since the term is used to describe an animal sacrifice to atone for (or take away) human sin.…

Paul wrote what is now the book of First Corinthians as a letter to the church of Corinth. After hearing of disputes and worries from members of the church, Paul wrote the congregation letters (including first and second Corinthians) as counsel to guide the church back to the right path (Elwell & Yarbrough, 273). One of the problems listed is the concern of marriage. Paul responds to questions such as: should Christians get married? And what basis is there for divorce? In relation to today’s…

In addition, sin responds pridefully in angry or defensive tones when others speak out or attempt to lovingly confront the sinful behavior they see in us. Words like, “Who are you to judge?” or “Why are you so intolerant?” or my motto is, “Live and let live.” As broken people living in a broken world, Christians are not immune to sin. The rationalization of sin is often found in the misapplication or misunderstandings of the freedoms we have in grace, this same grace freely provided to us as…

The lesson this week’s discussion starts off with the question “can we resist temptations”. The author of our lesson points out that our temptations are a part of life from the time we first trade our favorite pacifier in for those temper tantrums that insure everything is going to be done on our terms. I am also sure that none of us every faced a temptation that could have directed us down the wrong path in life during our teenage years. Then when we finally think we are mature adults, and we…

Paul commences his letter to “the Church of God that is in Corinth” as he thanks the Corinthians for their efforts and faithfulness (Corinthians 1:2). However despite making such assertions, the author of this letter directly proceeds to list the problems that had arisen among such converts. The first issue addressed is the division existent within the church. It has been brought to the author’s attention that the Church of Corinth has become divided between the preachers of Cephas (Paul) and…