One of the readers presented a very interesting question which I thought would be beneficial to consider along with my response. He had A question about sin committed in our thought life. In response I had remarked to this individual that Jesus had said that if you entertain the thoughts to look upon a woman sexually, you were […]
Jesus’ Allusion Concerning Sheep & Wolves (Updates ~ 4/2014) Jesus, in speaking about these false prophets used the allusion (an indirect reference to something or somebody by using symbolism) of them coming to the people as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (see #1) in order to take advantage of them. We understand that Jesus used the allusion of sheep […]
Introduction Perhaps one of the more baffling statements that Jesus made is found in John 5:39, which states: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” The term used in the New Testament “Scriptures“, referred directly to the Old Testament which included the […]
Introduction to this Series The following is part one of a series entitled, “Reasons for Faith.” The premise of this series is based upon Romans 10:17 which states, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God“ Part One – “So Then“ We should notice that this verse begins with the […]
Introduction (Major Update ~ 4/2014) The term “Kinsman Redeemer” (Hebrew: goel, [H1350] translated: “kinsman” ~ Num. 5:8; 27:11; Ruth 2:1; 3:9, 12, 13; 4:1, 3, 6, 8, 14; John 18:26; Romans 16:11) is the title for a position of responsibility within an Old Testament Hebrew family which was established by God. This individual was entrusted with the ability […]
Introduction (Updated ~ 02/03/2016) This is one of the most important subjects I have ever attempted to teach. While it is 86 pages long, please go through it slowly and thoroughly, take your time. It is a subject that changed my life. It is because faith is so much more important in the daily life […]
Introduction – Faith (update) There comes a place where as a Christian Believer, you have to take certain things at face value – on faith. Now, this is not the same as blind faith. Biblical faith is not blind faith, and those that confuse the two, show their either their ignorance or their prejudice. Biblical faith is […]
Introduction (Edited) Pride is a funny thing, it can hide itself in so many ways. Simply put, pride is simply “preoccupation with self,” which can be seen either found in grandiosity, or self-loathing, the key aspect is the point of focus which always must be on self. It is when self must be the center […]
Introduction A very wise old preacher once said that whatever a pastor repetitively keeps speaking about indicates what his own obsession is. And in the case of a particular sin that he keeps harping on; guess who has a big problem with that particular sin. Therefore, for the last 40 years I’ve watched self-righteous preachers pounding […]
Introduction The old expression, “familiarity breeds contempt;” is perhaps never better abuse that when it comes to the subject of love. Perhaps the reason why being familiar with love becomes makes it harder to understand regarding Biblical love, is because this is an everyday part of our lives, rather it is parental love, spousal love, […]
Question? Have you ran across those who try and suggest that if we openly confess we are still a work in progress ( still wrestle with sin ) that we must therefore be unsaved? Now as I read Romans 7 Paul seems to nail the equation down very well ( to the cross ), he […]
Introduction (Revised) This is written specifically to Christians, those that are truly born-again and not simply pew sitters. You that have been Christians for a few decades, have you noticed how different churches are these days. The Past In the past it was common for most Christians to attend services three times a week, Sunday […]
Introduction Part 1 of this series, “The Facts Concerning Christ ~ Apologetics ~ Part 1,” dealt with External acknowledgments concerning the existence of Jesus Christ in the form of reference to historians and notable individuals who presented Christ as a historical figure. Next we dealt with an external proof regarding the resurrection, that of the […]
Preface Updated (02/2014) Originally the name this Article was: “Apologetics ~ Part 1 ~ External Proofs regarding Christ Existence and Resurrection – The Real Passover.” Perhaps the most insightful comment made in the New Testament was made by Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit; when he stated: “But if there be no resurrection of the […]
Preface (Complete Revision ~ 01/25/2014) The following, Part 1 is a short introduction with a chart which explains the differences found in the 4 Gospels, which are four different perspectives in order to give insight into prophetic fulfillment, explain complexity, highlight detail, and to gain clarity concerning the role of Jesus’ first visit to earth; commonly […]
(This is part two of a two-part series, with The first article entitled: “Part 1 – Signs of a Christian Cult,” and “Part 2 – Indeed has God Said?) “Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, […]
Updated Introduction This article below was originally penned almost 2 years ago, yet it is worth reviewing. The original heading of this article has been updated to accommodate the series. The second article address identifiable signs that can indicate if the group or church that you are meeting with is teaching error, and ultimately becoming […]
The more I watch my dog “Buddy” the more I realize there is much I can learn in regards to my relationship with God from his example. I am his world and his reason for being, he looks up at me with those big brown eyes with such adoration that I can’t help running a […]
Introduction Many teachers and preachers over the years have attempted to sidestep the issue of controversies that occurred in the first century church, fearing that this would take from the validity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In reality, the opposite is true. It is when we understand how a Holy God controls, works with, […]
Brent Writes: I did not write the following article, it is so good I would only muddy the waters concerning this issue. It was written by Charles Pogue in June of 1996, and published in the “Montana Street Bulletin.” The article‘s content is much needed in the church today, because it stresses our need to […]
Introduction (Shortened – Updated for 12/25/2013) When was Jesus born. The key is Luke 3:1, which can help determine when Christ was crucified. If we know when Jesus was crucified, and we understand that He was 33 and half years old when this occurred, we can determine when He was born by counting backwards 33 1/2 […]
Normally, I write Biblically technical messages concerning God’s Word. Some are essays that I’ve written in the past, some are written in the present, yet all have taken many hours to compose, or recompose to be fit within this blog. These are not off the top of my head; per se they involve research work […]
Introduction In both the Old Testament (OT) and the New Testament (NT) the word “heart” is used to refer to the whole of the innermost part of the human, NOT merely the emotions. Culturally However, in the twenty-first century English the word “heart” is used to express the emotions as an individual compartment of the inner […]
Every year the Jews celebrate the Passover with a ritual that is called the Passover Seder (all blue, bold, italic text are Hebrew words) which commemorates the Israelites exodus from Egypt thousands of years ago. This is found in Exodus 12, Numbers 9:9; 28:16; Dt. 16:1. At each plate, we had a Haggadah, (which Hebrew means: “the telling”) […]
Introduction The 9th, 10th, and 11th chapter of Romans deals exclusively with Israel and it’s yet future destiny in prophecy. As has been wrongly taught within Protestant Orthodoxy (Anglican, Lutheran, all Reformed churches, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Congregationalist, Puritans and Separatist, Wesleyan, and those in the Restoration Theology movement – also referred to as those added here to Replacement […]
Introduction Contextual Analysis is the science of studying biblical words according to the context in which they exist within God’s Word as opposed to our current usage of them. One of the benefits of recognizing all the different applications of a particular word is gained in understanding the nuances and peculiarities that word may contain. […]
Introduction Unfortunately, due to the fact that many of us do not understand koiné Greek we are unaware of many grammatical principles which alter the understanding of some verses when translated into the English vernacular. In Koiné Greek, verbs ending in “oo” indicate that what is already on the inside – is then displayed on […]
Unfortunately, I do not remember who the original author is (2006), though according to my notes, I did have permission to reprint it. It appears correct, if anyone sees any errors or has any questions please advise – I did add quit a bit to it myself. BC 1491 The Birth of the Nation in the Exodus: […]
Let me first say that I can only answer this question concerning the culture of United States in general, and the Western and South-Central states in particular. (This is A complete revision of a prior article) Though, via TV and Internet I believe the same opinion holds true for other parts of the world. So, if […]
Introduction (Revision) Before considering this question, we need to define some words. Many theological terms would APPEAR to be opportunities to display spiritual pride, however, in reality they present shortcuts when talking about something without having to further explain the intricacies of what that subject entails – details of understanding are added when using theological terms. Atonement […]
Introduction – Full Version The following introduction is my work, along with the formula concerning Christ’s death and resurrection after the heading of “My Conclusion,” This is a very brief summation of the work originally produced by Sir Robert Anderson over 100 years ago. However, there has been scholarship before and after that deal with the same considerations and come to […]
Introduction One of the main focuses of this ministry is a Biblical understanding of faith. One of the verses that we repeat often is Romans 10:17, which states: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.“ What this verse literally means is that faith is to be based upon God’s […]
The following theological terms are actually much simpler than they appear. It is because many of the words are transliterated (see below) from other languages, that they sound intimidating. . Angelology: Is the study of angels. Anthropology: Is the study of man. Anthropomorphism: Is describing human attributes to nonhuman things, such as using emotional type […]
A Christophany is pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament. Major Update – Typology added) Introduction While some competent scholars may disagree with some of the following; the Theophanies (Theophanies: a visible manifestation of a deity) of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament is an accepted doctrine, beyond dispute based solely upon Scripture. One of […]
Introduction Hermeneutics, the study of the methodological principles of Biblical interpretation, is vast in its scope and beyond the intent of this paper. However, due to the nature of this subject matter it is important to present a caveat by way of an insight into the author’s particular frame of reference in order to maintain […]
Introduction (2/2018) In part one of “Figures of Speech” (LINK), we technically defined what “Figures of Speech” are and provided a few dozen examples of the different categories in regards to Figures of Speech. In part 2, we will give you specific examples of Figures of Speech, however, we will start off with a very basic […]
After republishing Rocky’s article “A dog’s Worship” I thought it wise for us to consider the example of true love as seen in dogs, wherein we fall so short. This is my dog Ty. His best friend is a squirrel. Thanks again Rocky for reminding me of true love while touching my heart. bb
Introduction A predominant theme that is seen within progressive liberalism, as well as liberalism as a whole is the idea that the “ends justify the means.” Abortion If you speak to a liberal about the moral issue of abortion, they will state that the underlying fundamental premise to be considered is the privacy of a […]
We become like the things we worship, those things that are idols to us. “Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have […]
God and His Sense of Humor One of the things I love about God, that can be seen in His Word; is that He has a sense of humor, sometimes displayed in irony, or even what we would refer to as sarcasm. Most of time when people utilize sarcasm is because they do not have a […]
A modern example The following article was written by Pastor Joe Focht and exhibits how Holy Spirit many times produces what some referred to as a spiritual domino effect, wherein God causes a major effect in the life of person “Z” who God utilizes to do a major work, yet even prior to this person’s […]
“And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of […]
You might be thinking, what an unusual title for a post; and you would be absolutely correct. Let us see if I can make sense of this enigma in the form of a title. Prelude I am a second amendment advocate. I not only believe in the constitutional right to bear arms as an individual (see Endnote #1), […]
Introduction (re-edited) Unfortunately, I sent out an unedited version of this article, this is the final draft One of the things that people were astonished concerning Jesus was that He spoke having authority. The point is that He spoke with authority, yet it was not that His speaking was authoritative, or He spoke in a […]
Introduction If Christ fulfilled all the prophecies of Isaiah, including Isaiah 53:7, how could it be said that He “… , yet he opened not his mouth…,” when he responded to the High Priest and Pontius Pilot? Jesus Arrested Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane by a mob of over a hundred individuals […]
Introduction Unfortunately, due to the fact that many of us do not understand koiné Greek we are unaware of many grammatical principles which alter the understanding of some verses when translated into the English vernacular. In Koiné Greek, verbs ending in “oo” indicate that what is already on the inside is then displayed on the […]
Introduction The use of parables has been misunderstood or miss-taught for over 2000 years. The meaning of the Greek word for parable (Greek: parabole) is “similitude,” which literally means: “to lay alongside,” indicating a parallel story to a truth that is being communicated. It is not the same as the understanding in the English language concerning comparisons […]
Introduction (Updated) The following essay is a brief explanation of each one of the major groups that were active in Israel at the time of Jesus, which are the: † Pharisees † Essenes † Ebionites † Scribes † Priests † Sadducees † Herodians † Zealots † Sicarii † Proselytes † Common People Pharisees They were the […]
Introduction (Update ~ 07/19/2013) When dealing with the subject of salvation (Soteriology, meaning: “The study of the doctrine of salvation“) from a Biblical foundation, perhaps the most well-known, most thorough, and most insightful treatment of the subject is found in Ephesians 2:8-10, which states: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of […]
Introduction The following article has been expanded and updated. And though many mature believers may be tempted to pass by, I assure you there are some deeper insights they may not be aware of, and therefore worthy of their time. There are mainly two types of people that would have a vested interest in posing the question “How does […]
Introduction Man is so limited by the sin-nature that even the born-again believer is plagued with a sinful perception, wherein many times reality is beyond his comprehension. We must remember: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, […]
Introduction (06-14-2013) Our key text is 1 Corinthians 9:22, which is one of those verses that has been repeatedly abused during the last 30 years to indicate that Christians should use the ways of the world, it’s trappings in order to proclaim the gospel. . Have we forgotten Jesus’ words as recorded in John 15:19, […]
Introduction – My Story Over 30 years ago while serving as an assistant pastor at a medium-sized church I was grappling with Jesus Christ’s admonition to love fellow Christians as found in John 13:34, which states: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye […]
Introduction (Update: 06/05/2013) The following is one of those passages wherein translating from the original Greek into the English renders it an enigma to many. Philippians 2:12-13 states: “Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear […]
The Source of Godly Discernment Perhaps one of the most important, as well sophisticated passages that addresses the application of proper judgment (or “discernment”, which unfortunately is a more user-friendly word for most of use) is found in Hebrews 5:11-14, which states: “Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull […]
Introduction All believers need to develop self-discernment – introspection. Introspection is the ability to see ourselves as we really are, based upon God’s Word, and not clouded by our own sense of wanting to be right (Don’t misunderstand, it is this innate God-given desire to be right that keeps us from being totally comfortable with sin […]
Introduction (Major Revision ~ 04/28/2014) This is one of the most important subjects I have ever attempted to teach. While it is 86 pages long, please go through it slowly and thoroughly, take your time. It is a subject that changed my life. It is because faith is so much more important in the daily […]
Introduction This article concerns how to function as a believer among non-believers who are in control of our government and its agencies, our institutions of higher education, the news media, entertainment; and are slowly creeping into the church. This series is meant to be pragmatic, addressing specific characteristics, behaviors, and insights. I’ve going to break from […]
Introduction (2016 Edit) Regarding the Second Coming, the inconsistencies concerning a single event are staggering, therefore, by necessity there must be two separate events, with the only answer being the Rapture as one, and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ as the other. One of the arguments of the opponents to the idea of the […]
Introduction (Reprinting – 05/03/2013) What is amazing about the Gospels of Jesus Christ is that they are 4 different aspects or perspectives of Christ First Coming, and that they perfectly reflect the 4 ensigns (A flag with a symbol representing the tribe) of the 4 tribes as they were located around the tabernacle, which was a shadow (type) of […]
Introduction (Update) We’ve all read the below Scripture, but do we really understand what it means. And though the immediate context concerns healing and sickness, there is a principle within a wider biblical context concerning the confession of sins to others, which may be misunderstood within the context of open confession in the church. The question […]
The question is: 1. To forgive others, must they ask for forgiveness first? 2. Must they admit that they have wronged us? 3. Must they repent (“to change their mind”) of having wronged us? 4. Must they say they will not do it again? To some, this may seem like ridiculous questions concerning how a Christian […]
Introduction I once had the following three questions posed to me in a class (This is a subject I am revisiting today, and all Believers need to remember periodically) I was taking. What is a “Saint,” what is a (Greek) “doulos,” (translated into the English word: “servant” literally rendered: “bond slave” ~ Romans 1:1; Titus 1:1) and […]
Jesus’ Allusion Concerning Sheep & Wolves Jesus, in speaking about these false prophets used the allusion (an indirect reference to something or somebody by using symbolism) of them coming to the people as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (see #1) in order to take advantage of them. We understand that Jesus used the allusion of sheep in describing people, […]
Introduction Part 1 of this series, “The Facts Concerning Christ ~ Apologetics ~ Part 1,” dealt with External acknowledgments concerning the existence of Jesus Christ in the form of reference to historians and notable individuals who presented Christ as a historical figure. Next we dealt with an external proof regarding the resurrection, that of the […]
Introduction The word “apologetics” is derived from the Greek word “apologia,” which means “to make a defense.” It is used in a reference of a systematic discipline in which a position is defended in a rigorous and analytical fashion. Apologists is a term that was used in the second and third centuries of those Christian teachers […]
Judgment Within our current generation, due to this Gondi like presentation of Christ, wherein pacifism is the standard; how easy it is to demand that people not use discernment, biblically speaking, judgment; which appears to be so hard-hearted. “Let each man stand before his God,” is heard as an excuse to not exercise biblical judgment. […]
Introduction Man is so limited by the sin-nature that even the born-again believer is plagued with a sinful perception, wherein many times reality is beyond his comprehension. We must remember: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, […]
Introduction (Reprinting) What is amazing about the Gospels of Jesus Christ is that they are 4 different aspects or perspectives of Christ First Coming, and that they perfectly reflect the 4 ensigns (A flag with a symbol representing the tribe) of the 4 tribes as they were located around the tabernacle, which was a shadow (type) of God’s Throne […]
Introduction Unfortunately, due to the fact that many of us do not understand koiné Greek we are unaware of many grammatical principles which alter the understanding of some verses when translated into the English vernacular. In Koiné Greek, verbs ending in “oo” indicate that what is already on the inside is then displayed on the […]
Let’s look at Jesus’ teaching concerning prayer. First we must realize that this is a prayer that is stated prior to Jesus going to sit at the right hand side of the Father. It is His instructions while He was still on the earth, yet the template (Jesus doesn’t say that we have to stay […]
Introduction One of the things that people were astonished concerning Jesus was that He spoke having authority. The point is that He spoke with authority, yet it was not that His speaking was authoritative, or He spoke in a commanding manner; it is that He seated authority in Himself. Display vs. Essence This has less […]
What were the main problems in Corinth? 1. Divisions – Contentions based upon ownership of Different Teachers: “now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, they all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you but that ye be perfect fit together in the same mind […]
Introduction The English word gospel comes from the Greek word “Euangelizo” translated “good tidings” in certain passages, and “gospel” in others. The general idea is that gospel literally meant “good news.” Old Testament In the Old Testament, the Septuagint Greek translation, the word “gospel” could mean any kind of good news1, or even God’s […]
Introduction I once had the following three questions posed to me in a class (This is a subject I am revisiting today, and all Believers need to remember periodically) I was taking. What is a “Saint,” what is a (Greek) “doulos,” (translated into the English word: “servant” literally rendered: “bond slave” ~ Romans 1:1; Titus 1:1) and […]
Introduction I am going to do something different and present an article by someone else without comment. I believe this presentation is something we Christians should think about. bb “Hell’s Best Kept Secret” By Ray Comfort (This message was first preached in August 1982.) You can Listen to “Hell’s Best Kept Secret” at: LINK In the late seventies, […]
Introduction The following list of words are used by God to describe the state of man. Jeremiah 17:9 says, concerning the human heart (See Endnote #1), that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” The Hebrew word translated “desperately,” means in the literal “incurable.” With the human heart […]
Introduction Without getting too far in the weeds, as I normally do, let me start by saying that there is a Biblical principle of “begetting“ (to “beget as seen in Gen. 17:20; Gen. 48:6; Deu. 4:25; Deu. 28:41; 2 King. 20:18; Pro. 17:21; Pro. 23:24; Ecc. 5:14; Ecc. 6:3; Isa. 39:7; Isa. 45:10; Jer. 29:6; Eze. 18:10; […]
Introduction Personally, I love expressions which display wisdom; especially those regarding God and his word, such as: “The Bible: in the old the new is concealed, in the new the old is revealed.” “The Bible: in the old the new is contained, in the new the old is explained.” “An apparent Biblical contradiction is the […]
Introduction For many years it has been commonly taught that the “Bride of Christ” is synonymous with the “Body of Christ,” which is the church (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:12), and therefore the two references refer to the same thing. We should remember Christ’s Words: “You make void the word of God by your traditions […]
Well I’m back. During the last few months, I have been filling in as pastoral director in charge of chaplaincy at the hospital I work at. During the last month there have been many deaths and traumas, and supervisory responsibilities which have kept me away from my writing. This assignment should be completed in a […]
Introduction In human history (his-story) the most destructive rationale ever used to do mass murder and mayhem is, “the ends will justify the means.” This justification has been used to start more wars, torture more people, and steal more plunder than any other excuse man conjures up. This validation is seen in such verbiage as, […]
Introduction No, this post is not what you think it’s about, at least not directly. This is not a political question, nor does it concern politics in regards to partisanship in general, or party affiliation in particular. This has to do with words. Words are the backbone of every society. Words are what we used […]
Introduction The focus of this ministry is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and as such we do not address political issues as in political affairs. Rocky’s recent article concerning the “Separation of Church and State,” some might say is political, yet this displays a very generic and broad definition of the word, particularly in regard to how […]
Introduction Noting that I have not written anything in the last 16 days, I am currently attempting to write 3 important articles, provocative; yet more important hopefully insightful concerning Biblical doctrine. At some future date I will write an article concerning November 6. I am glad to read what Rocky wrote (Thoughts after the election) concerning that which […]
Introduction In part 1 of “Figures of Speech” (LINK), we technically defined what “Figures of Speech” are and provided a few dozen examples of the different categories in regards to Figures of Speech. In part 2, we will give you specific examples of Figures of Speech, however we will start off with a very basic introduction […]
Introduction The previous article in regards to self-esteem and the depravity of man, while meant to be read by all; there is one particular group of individuals that needs it more than others. This group, wherein self-esteem is promoted (Such as Christian psychologists, secular psychologist, Christians in the self-help community, those in the “name it […]
Introduction (10/12/2012 ~ Expanded, Revised, Fixed, & Reformatted) Unfortunately, While this article has been one of the most viewed, due to the insertion of the table necessary to present it; it has been the most flawed due to the editor’s inability to present it properly. Recently, I have not only reformatted it in attempting to deal with this […]
Jesus’ Allusion Concerning Sheep & Wolves Jesus, in speaking about these false prophets used the allusion (an indirect reference to something or somebody by using symbolism) of them coming to the people as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (see #1) in order to take advantage of them. We understand that Jesus used the allusion of sheep […]
Introduction The word “apologetics” is derived from the Greek word “apologia,” which means “to make a defense.” It is used in a reference of a systematic discipline in which a position is defended in a rigorous and analytical fashion. Apologists is a term that was used in the second and third centuries of those Christian teachers […]
Introduction Part 1 of this series (Apologetics ~ Part 1 ~ External Proofs Regarding Christ’s Existence & Resurrection), dealt with External acknowledgments concerning the existence of Jesus Christ in the form of reference to historians and notable individuals who presented Christ as a historical figure. Next we dealt with an external proof regarding the resurrection, […]
Introduction I am giving some of my personal background information to exhibit that I am not attacking psychology as an outsider, but as one that has spent many years studying the subject as a proponent, that had turned opponent. At one time, I was totally fixated concerning the observations and study of psychology as a […]
Introduction The following is taken from the home page of our teaching website (as well as a page on this blog site), and greatly updated and repeated here because as Believers we all need to stand back every so often and examine our life style, our Christian walk (2 Corth. 13:5). Because of the fast pace of our lives […]
The following theological terms are actually much simpler than they appear. It is because many of the words are transliterated (see below) from other languages, that they sound intimidating. . Angelology: Is the study of angels. Anthropology: Is the study of man. Anthropomorphism: Is describing human attributes to nonhuman things, such as using emotional type […]
Introduction Before we address the leaven of the Pharisees, and the spiritual insights that can be achieved, wherein faith is grown; the following introduction, while somewhat long is necessary in order to gain a fruitful insight concerning one of the many ways that God’s Word validates itself, thus literally fulfilling Romans 10:17, which states: “Faith […]
Introduction Unfortunately, due to the fact that many of us do not understand koiné Greek we are unaware of many grammatical principles which alter the understanding of some verses when translated into the English vernacular. In Koiné Greek, verbs ending in “oo” indicate that what is already on the inside is then displayed on the […]
Judgment Within our current generation, due to this Gondi like presentation of Christ, wherein pacifism is the standard; how easy it is to demand that people not use discernment, biblically speaking, judgment; which appears to be so hard-hearted. “Let each man stand before his God,” is heard as an excuse to not exercise biblical judgment. […]
Introduction (update) The book of Romans is perhaps the greatest masterpiece on the Christian doctrine ever penned. It is elegant, intricate, and concise yet thorough. Paul systematically addresses salvation (1), starting at the beginning with sin and man’s fallen nature (2), and how that man is judged before God outside the law, the result of […]
Introduction This author loves old expressions, adages, or insights which display wisdom and insights in a brief presentation. However, if you remember the old story about how when it comes to communicating verbal information; that if you gathered a group of people in a circle, and start with one person and whisper something in their ear. And then […]
Introduction Of all the questions that I have been asked over almost 40 years, the most frequent and passionate inquiry has always been about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The greatest fear has been by those that were panicked that they had accidentally committed this unforgivable sin. In the following you will see that it […]
It is very common to find a mindset within Christian circles that “bad things happen to bad people,” a type of Eastern mysticism which is not supported by the Bible. This type of karma thinking may seem to make sense, while at the same time making us feel safer – because if we are good, then […]
Simply put, faith in God is cognitive belief based upon a track record of fidelity (trustworthiness), which creates confidence in God, what He has said, He can and will do, and as such it grows into a principle of life for the believer wherein God is trusted to take care of the person; this produces action […]
Introduction (Published Annually) In both the Old Testament (OT) and the New Testament (NT) the word “heart” is used to refer to the whole of the innermost part of the human, NOT merely the emotions. Culturally However, in the twenty-first century English the word “heart” is used to express the emotions as an individual compartment of […]
Introduction The other day I received a comment from an individual who attempted to present evidence that the Holy Spirit was validating what they were saying, and what their cult, Mormonism preached (see the comments section concerning the article: “Meek ~ The Great Example” – Link), when I clicked on their website, their profile stated (verbatim): by brandonlott […]
Human Nature, (As falsely taught by the world as “Natural” – Evolution): Feel-Act. (Updated) The world says: “We act in response to how we feel,” “If it feels good, do it.” The world is obsessed with emotional feelings at the expense of rational discretion. It is the emotions that the media, entertainment, and politics utilize to move […]
How One Approaches God’s Word Many Christians believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, but don’t believe in the sufficiency of it. The majority of Christians today believe in the inerrancy of the Bible,1 as written in the original languages in the original texts. Many believers who hold to a literal interpretation are ostracized for […]
Introduction Man is so limited by the sin-nature that even the born-again believer is plagued with a sinful perception, wherein many times reality is beyond his comprehension. We must remember: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, […]
A Christophany is pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament. (Major updated – added Typology) Introduction While some competent scholars may disagree with some of the following; the Theophanies (Theophanies: a visible manifestation of a deity) of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament is an accepted doctrine, beyond dispute based solely upon Scripture. One of the examples which proves that […]
Introduction While this article addresses Angels in general, and what is referred to as “Guardian Angels” specifically; the primary subject is the preeminence of Jesus Christ, as it should be. Guardian Angels are said to be Angels that protect each and every one of us (with specific references concerning children) as individuals, they are said to be the guardians of […]
Introduction (Major Updated ~ 4/2014) The term “Kinsman Redeemer” (Hebrew: goel, [H1350] translated: “kinsman” ~ Num. 5:8; 27:11; Ruth 2:1; 3:9, 12, 13; 4:1, 3, 6, 8, 14; John 18:26; Romans 16:11) is the title for a position of responsibility within an Old Testament Hebrew family which was established by God. This individual was entrusted with the ability […]
Jesus said: If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,And […]
Introduction Before we get into the prophecy at hand which is the most amazing that I’ve ever seen in God’s Word (also released by the titled: “The Most Amazing Prophecy in God’s Word”), please allow me to introduce the foundation to be built upon wherein we shall discover why prophecy such as this are rarely taught […]
Introduction “Sin,” in its most foundational depiction is anything opposed to that which is good (“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” ~ 3 John 1:11), and the ultimate depiction of what is good, […]
The question is: 1. To forgive others, must they ask for forgiveness first? 2. Must they admit that they have wronged us? 3. Must they repent (“to change their mind”) of having wronged us? 4. Must they say they will not do it again? To some, this may seem like ridiculous questions concerning how a Christian […]
Introduction Pride is a funny thing, it can hide itself in so many ways. Simply put, pride is simply “preoccupation with self,” which can be seen either found in grandiosity or self-loathing, the key aspect is the point of focus which always must be on self. It is when self must be the center of […]
Introduction (Last Edited: 01/18/2016) The following is one of those passages wherein translating from the original Greek into the English renders it an enigma to many. Philippians 2:12-14 states: “Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation […]
Introduction Since the Jesus movement of the 1960s and 70s, the youth culture has vastly influenced Christian music; with the question being asked is the genre of Rock ‘N Roll appropriate for Christian music in general, and worship songs in particular. The sub-genres within rock ‘n roll music can be: hard rock, acid rock, punk […]
Introduction (Updated) We shall take a brief look at just one of the passages in the unbelievable revelation from God, referred to as the book of Daniel. Chapter 12 of the book of Daniel is a vision that he receives concerning the last days. The “Last Days” is a generic term which covers over 2000 years, […]
Universal Truth Every man has a god. Many might try to argue the point and assert that they don’t believe in the notion of a higher power. They may assert that God is a man-made myth and an indication of weak character, low intelligence, or sick emotions. Many of them believe in evolution, claiming that […]
Introduction 08/07/2012 – I am going to be spending the next few weeks working on a most significant subject which must be treated meticulously. Therefore, in the meantime I’m going to reformat, and update a few prior articles which are also important, but will allow me to spend the time that I need on this […]
This is dedicated to Nonni, as I promised that I would write a “real” blog. Reissued What an unusual title for a post, you might be thinking; and you would be absolutely correct. Let us see if I can make sense of this enigma in the form of a title. Prelude I am a second amendment advocate. No, I not only believe […]
Yes, there is a vast difference if you try to seperate the two. Primise It has been said that there are three mindsets concerning presenting the Gospel to the unsaved: 1) those that demand too much, 2) those that demand too little; and 3) those that present the gospel correctly. Concerning those that […]
The Lord is my shepherd (that concerns relationship) – I shall not lack my Savior I shall not want (that concerns supply) – I shall not lack provision He maketh me to lie down in green pastures (that concerns rest) – I shall not lack necessity He Leadeth me beside the still waters (that […]
When the thirteen colonies were still a part of England, while our country was seeking its independence; Professor Alexander Tytler wrote about the fall of the Athenian Republic over two thousand years previous to that time, he said: A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters […]
A Word of Explanation My writing style and teaching method is unusual in that it seeks to teach many different subjects, in diverse areas, while presenting information on a singular topic. Rabbit Trails It has been described as going down a road which has many rabbit trails during the course of the journey, taking many diversions […]
Introduction (updated errors, thank you Jackie) There are twenty-four references in the Bible to gaps (some call them parentheses, wherein according to Daniel’s 70 weeks [Dan. 9:24-27], there is a pause, a parentheses in the timeline where God’s dealing with Israel stops, at their rejection of Jesus and the Church starts the parentheses then when the Church is Raptured the […]
A Terrifying Thought A subject that I have considered many times in the past is that of the perception of false believers that they are saved, when in deed they are not. I mean can anything be more terrifying than to reach the end of one’s life having believed that you have avoided hell as […]
Greek ~ Genesis 43:13-18 Hebrew ~ Genesis 43:13-18 Introduction (Updated: 07/2016) Both the Hebrew and the Greek have their own particular differences which are utilized by God, and which presents God’s message to man in a diversity of style and effectiveness that complement each other. The Hebrew (Old Testament) language […]
Introduction Hermeneutics, the study of the methodological principles of Biblical interpretation, is vast in its scope and beyond the intent of this paper. However, due to the nature of this subject matter it is important to present a caveat by way of an insight into the author’s particular frame of reference in order to maintain […]
Introduction – The Enemy The devil is a high angelic creature that before the creation of the human race; rebelled against the Creator and became the chief antagonist of God and man. We know this from passages in Isaiah, chapter 14 and Ezekiel, chapter 28. Many liberal theologians, to a large extent have refused to […]
Introduction (05/10/2013 – A Total Revision) In examining the doctrine of the Rapture of the church, perhaps most convincing is when one takes the Bible and compares and contrasts Scriptures which describes events which according to components cannot be one event, but two; those of the Rapture as compared to those of the Second Coming of […]
To start with, concerning Paul’s thorn in the flesh, our key text is 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, which says: “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether […]
Trials In the Life of Believers Faith only grows when it is stretched by tribulations (problems, hard times, difficulties, calamities, trials, and testing; they’re all synonymous concerning the “trying of our faith”). Faith can only grow incrementally, as more and more is demanded of it. This is because trust is a process contingent upon experience, as someone proves they are trustworthy situation after situation, we […]
Introduction (update) When Paul spoke about “…being all things to all men…, 1” he was not saying to use the world’s contrivances or trappings, or any of the things that are popular in the world to attract people. Paul was not endorsing marketing techniques which rely upon emotional manipulation and attempt to utilize the frailties […]
Introduction The following are some of my personal considerations concerning presenting the four different purposes and functions of the four different Gospels. First, let me say why I think it’s important to examine this teaching – it’s because this teaching is meant to fulfill what Romans 10:17 states; “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word […]
Introduction (Revised: 02/07/2014) On the left Do the four Gospels demonstrate any symbolic or metaphorical relationships with the four ensigns (a flag, banner, or standard that a company rallies behind) mustering the Camp of Israel around the Tabernacle? Yes they do, with amazing consistency within each metaphorical type. But Why – to Display the Preeminence of […]
The Preeminence of Christ For the Christian, the first and primary rule of Biblical interpretation (“hermeneutics”) centers on the relationship of the “Word of God” (the Bible), to Jesus Christ, referred to as the preeminence (meaning: “above and beyond everything else in importance” – pre [“before”], eminent [“importance”]) of Jesus Christ (Heb. 2:10), in both the Old and […]
Introduction (Updated) The following introduction is my work, with the formula concerning Christ death and resurrection under the heading of “My Conclusion,” which is a very brief summation of the work originally produced by Sir Robert Anderson over 100 years ago. However, there has been scholarship before and after that come to the same consideration. What follows after that is a […]
An unfortunate reality of 21st century life in first world nations is that knowledge and thus technology grows much faster than the wisdom is gained to employ them correctly and rightly. This is because whereas knowledge grows (and can be easily abused) by probing and experimentation; wisdom (which must be earned) is gained by the […]
Introduction In the Bible, God’s wisdom is manifested in that He not only used language to communicate with man. He repeatedly utilized teaching tools such as: object lessons, types, shadows, parables, similes, metaphors, allegories, oxymorons, and other types of figures of speech (There are 217 “Figure of Speech” in the Greek language – see E. […]
Introduction (Updated ~ 07/21/2011) Before we address the leaven of the Pharisees and the spiritual insights that can be achieved, wherein faith is grown; the following introduction, while somewhat long is necessary in order to gain a fruitful insight concerning one of the many ways that God’s Word validates itself, thus literally fulfilling Romans 10:17, […]
Introduction Unfortunately, due to the fact that many of us do not understand koiné Greek we are unaware of many grammatical principles which alter the understanding of some verses when translated into the English vernacular. In Koiné Greek, verbs ending in “oo” indicate that what is already on the inside is then displayed on the […]
“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.” (Joshua 20:2-3) In this passage we have […]
Introduction I wish to thank those who made comments concerning the 06/08/2011 post entitled: “If my people who are called by my name.” Believe it or not, I take great joy when I feel inspired to write short, precise posts that are easily understood. Faith, and it’s Source However, I’ve come to understand that my calling is not explaining what is […]
Introduction Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to explain to a mechanic an intermittent problem you are having if you have no training or understanding of the dynamics of the automobile. Yet, if you approach the same problem after having taken a class in automotive repair, while perhaps not capable of understanding every […]
Introduction There are passages in the Bible in which God has constructed in such a simple way, whereas by breaking down the particular elements in a rudimentary manner, laying one upon another, a simple progression is obvious, wherein understanding God’s Will concerning the statements is easy to grasp. The following is a good example of […]
There are a few expressions that I would like to repeat: “Christianity began as a company of lay witnesses, that has become a professional troop of performers, financed by lay spectators.” (author unknown) “Christian idolatry can be seen when believers: worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship.” (author unknown) “Christianity […]
Introduction One of the things I love about God, that can be seen in His Word; is that He has a sense of humor, sometimes displayed in irony, or even what we would refer to as sarcasm. On a personal level, I hate sarcasm; when used by humans. Most of time when people utilize sarcasm is because […]
This post is subjective than most, yet I hope it serves its purpose concerning the subject of perception and reality. Introduction As a Christian that is fast approaching his fourth decade as a believer, it is the human desire to stay within my own area of comfort that shackles me as a believer concerning the […]
Introduction – Faith (Complete Revision ~ 03/10/2014) There comes a place where as a Christian Believer, you have to take certain things at face value – on faith. Now, this is not the same as blind faith. Biblical faith is not blind faith, and those that confuse the two, show their either their ignorance or their prejudice. […]
Introduction During the time covered in the book of Judges in the Old Testament, is a time prior to Israel having a King; when God set up judges to rule over the land and fulfill His will for the nation of Israel. There would be coming a day that God would choose a King, yet […]
There are five things that you cannot recover in life: (1) The Stone……………after it’s thrown (2) The Word……………after it’s said (3) The Occasion………after it’s missed (4) The Time……………after it’s gone (5) A person……………after they die Author unknown
I am a thrice-Baptisted Christian. I’m not saying I am a Baptist, I’m not. I am saying I have been baptized 3 times. 1) My mother was Catholic and I was christened as a newborn in the Catholic Church. 2) I was raised as a Protestant within a Bible-based Pentecostal church where I was baptized at […]
Introduction Recently I was involved in any situation concerning a very close family member that had joined an organization that according to many Internet sources was a cult. It was due to the love I have for this person that I invested a small amount of time into defining what the warning signs of a […]
Regeneration vs. Faith – Which Came First? As I stated in last week’s preamble to this particular post, I have found what to me seems to be a trilogy concerning 3 biblical subjects; that of: Judgment Forgiveness Regeneration. Regeneration, is a theological term referred to as the act or process which propagates salvation; and salvation […]
Preamble (Boy, what a mess this was, I was trying to get done too fast – sorry for the typos, and the lack of clarity – please reread, it may make sense now ~ Undated 04/10/2011) The following is a preamble to a blog that will posted by the middle to the end of next week. On […]
First off, let me thank everyone for their insights and opinions concerning the subject of forgiveness. Introduction The old expression that familiarity breeds contempt is a good reason to post questions like this. Sometimes the most dangerous topics within Christianity are those we all know so very well, and therefore end up studying rarely having developed an understanding of the […]
The Subject Matter Has To Do with Forgiveness. The question is: To forgive others, must they ask for forgiveness first? Must they admit that they have wronged us? Must they repent (change their mind) of having wronged us? This is not a trick question, and no I don’t think I have the complete answer. In […]
This is dedicated to Nonni, as I promised that I would write a “real” blog. What an unusual title for a post, you might be thinking; and you would be absolutely correct. Let us see if I can make sense of this enigma in the form of a title. Teaching Style My teaching style is somewhat unusual, and has been stated […]
Judging Introduction It is common in Christian circles to hear believers state that “we should not judge other people,” and while we are never to condemn (Greek: kataÌkrima, to render “condemnation” ~ Romans 5:16, 18; 8:1) another person, as this is God’s role and not ours; this statement is not completely true, in fact sometimes […]
I have never been afforded the opportunity to tour Israel yet somehow I have an overwhelming love for the Jewish people and am in awe of the remarkable history of their nation. I’m certain that is in part due to the Holy Spirit as well as so many of my hero’s being either Jews themselves […]
Introduction Contextual analysis is the science of studying biblical words according to the context in which they exist within God’s Word as opposed to our current usage of them. One of the benefits of recognizing all the different applications of a particular word is gained in understanding the nuances and peculiarities that word may contain. […]
Normally, I write Biblically technical messages concerning God’s Word. Some are essays that I’ve written in the past, some are written in the present, yet all have taken many hours to compose, or recompose to be fit within this blog. These are not off the top of my head; per se they involve research work […]
Every year the Jews celebrate the Passover with a ritual that is called the Passover Seder Which commemorates the Israelites exodus from Egypt thousands of years ago. This is found in Exodus 12, Numbers 9:9; 28:16; Dt. 16:1. At each plate, we had a Haggadah, (which Hebrew means: “the telling”) the book narrating the Passover. […]
Introduction Well, I am back. I got a lot done, even had to do a few more things today, but it is good to be back. All this talk about feet and shoes made me think about a passage that seems strange to us in 21st century America without knowing the background regarding it’s meaning, […]
I’ve been labeled, well haven’t we all. These days just confessing we believe in Jesus Christ is considered radical by most of the world. But even within the body we tend to label, a radical vs. a normal believer, ya know that one that’s always quoting scripture ( whether ya want em to or not […]
TARRY VS. OCCUPY […]
Unfortunately, I do not remember who the original author is (2006), though according to my notes, I did have permission to reprint it. It appears correct, if anyone sees any errors or has any questions please advise – I did add quit a bit to it myself. BC 1491 The Birth of the Nation in the Exodus: […]
Introduction The 9th 10th and 11th chapter of Romans deals exclusively with Israel and it’s yet future destiny in prophecy. As has been the case in orthodoxy for the last 1600 years, since the teachings of Origin and Constantine; the Roman Catholic Church, as well as orthodox Protestants denominations have taught that the church was to […]
Well, I’m stuck inside, so – I took a few pictures with my point-and-shoot camera – please do the same if you are inclined (from inside) and let us see what it is like in your part of the world. bb Are you sure about this?
A simple thought – A mere reflection, and unfortunately a Empathizing situation. This cartoon reflects what is starting to become a reality in my life (ha ha). bb
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15) Heart & Mind ~ The word “heart,” as it is used in the Bible, does […]
Introduction The following is a presentation that I have been doing for almost 20 years, yet am never tire of hearing these words myself. Many people for the sake of unity and peace are willing to compromise certain biblical doctrines, yet anyone that knows me knows that I swing the other way; especially when those […]
Jesus’ Allusion Concerning Sheep & Wolves Jesus, in speaking about these false prophets used the allusion (an indirect reference to something or somebody by using symbolism) of them coming to the people as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (see #1) in order to take advantage of them. We understand that Jesus used the allusion of sheep […]
Brent Writes: I did not write the following article, it is so good I would only muddy the waters concerning this issue. It was written by Charles Pogue in June of 1996, and published in the “Montana Street Bulletin.” The article‘s content is much needed in the church today, because it stresses our need to […]
Nonni, One of the passages I love that deals with “love,” is 1 John 3:16 (it is easy to remember because of John 3:16), in that it actually defines what love does – how it functions – how to do it, not just how it feels – that to do acts of love is to choose to sacrificially […]
Rockman, Excellent, excellent post. Great tie-in using Romans chapter 7, especially in light of the last 2 verses which state: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of […]
1. “To be aware, is to be alive.” (The Pirate joke) During the 1700’s there was a young boy who would daydream about sailing the seven seas all day long, hoping someday to join the crew of a sailing ship. Finally, at the age of 12 his mother allowed him to become a cabin boy on […]
Introduction Contextual analysis is the science of studying biblical words according to the context in which they exist within God’s Word as opposed to our current usage of them. One of the benefits of recognizing all the different applications of a particular word is gained in understanding the nuances and peculiarities that a word may […]
Introduction The use of parables has been misunderstood or miss-taught for over 2000 years. The meaning of the Greek word for parable (Greek: parabole) is “similitude,” which literally means: “to lay alongside,” indicating a parallel story to a truth that is being communicated. It is not the same as the understanding in the English language concerning comparisons […]
Introduction The most amazing prophecy in the Bible is Daniel 9:24-27, commonly referred to as “Daniels 70 Weeks” of Israel. Yet what’s so amazing is the precision of verse 25 which is the crowning touch of this prophecy. Because it specifically deals with the presentation of the Messiah of Israel. It presents a formula which […]
Rockman, Excellent job, very good. I though I would take the liberty to added a little (yeah, right) bit. I think you clued in on the meat of this text, that it’s not about Gideon – it’s about God. You know this seems to be the biggest problem in the church today; it is not the […]
Introduction The following essay is a brief explanation of each one of the major groups that were active in Israel at the time of Jesus, which are the: † Pharisees † Essenes † Ebionites † Scribes † Priests † Sadducees † Herodians † Zealots † Sicarii † Proselytes † Common People Pharisees They were the conservative […]
History When the thirteen colonies were still a part of England, Professor Alexander Tytler wrote about the fall of the Athenian Republic over two thousand years previous to that time, he said: A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves […]
Introduction Of all the reasons concerning the carnality that is seen in the church of Jesus Christ in the 21st century, perhaps the most relevant is the lack of church discipline. It is in understanding reciprocity as seen in the connection between privilege and responsibility, wherein the church has greatly erred. It is common to hear […]
The Timeline of Salvation Understanding that the Ephesians passage utilizes the perfect tense, indicating it was something completed in the past, with consequences which are ongoing, in the present and yet in the future as well. This displays the three tenses of salvation, past, present, and future; which can be examined in Scripture by the […]
Introduction When dealing with the subject of salvation (Soteriology, meaning: “The study of the doctrine of salvation“) from a Biblical foundation, perhaps the most well-known, most thorough, and most insightful treatment of the subject is found in Ephesians 2:8-10, which states: “For by grace you have been saved through faith0, and that not of yourselves; it is […]
Greek ~ Genesis 43:13-18 Hebrew ~ Genesis 43:13-18 Introduction (Updated: 07/2016) Both the Hebrew and the Greek have their own particular differences which are utilized by God, and which presents God’s message to man in a diversity of style and effectiveness that complement each other. The Hebrew (Old Testament) language […]
Welcome… Faith Bible Ministries blog attempts to present articles containing in-depth Bible teaching study material used to present the truth of God’s Word, as well as a reference source in order to continue with individual study of God’s word, It is an outreach ministry of “Faith Bible Ministries,” a division of “Faith Video Ministries Inc.“, a […]
Faith Bible Ministries Blog ~ An Online Study of the Bible 