Related: Office; Spiritual Gifts; Office, Gift, Priesthood Christian Priesthood. The subject of the individual priesthood of the believer is found in the writings of Peter (1 Pet. 2:5, 9), John (Rev. 1:6), and Paul (Heb. 10:19-22). The privileges that were granted to the family of Aaron under the law, and these only were but […]
Related: Election, Foreknowledge, Corporate Election Predestination. Predestination is the truth that believers in Christ were predetermined to a future position; to be in Christ’s place before God, and ultimately to be conformed to His image. Often people speak of begin predestinated to heaven, but in scripture predestination is always “to be conformed to the […]
Related: Predestination, Election, Corporate Election Foreknowledge. Foreknowledge is the advanced knowledge by God of those whom He specially chosen for blessing, and it implies a unique and blessed relationship intended. Foreknowledge is closely connected with election, and it has to do with the sovereignty of God in the salvation of man. It is connected […]
Simon Peter. There are several individuals in scripture whose lives are described in colorful detail: including Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, and Simon Peter. With each we see a wonderful example of faith, coupled with the shepherding care, discipline, and restoring grace of a loving God. Simon Peter is unique for several reasons, first because his […]
Salt. Salt is mentioned many times in scripture, and it has typical significance. We find that salt speaks of inward, unchanging holiness that has a gracious outflow and results in preservation. Up until the 20th century and before the invention of refrigeration, salt was used not only for seasoning (Job 6:6) but as a preservative. […]
Related: Egypt to Canaan The Tabernacle. The tabernacle is one of the great Old Testament types, along with the type set forth in the overall journey of Israel from Egypt to Canaan. In order to understand the typical meaning of the tabernacle, we need to read the book of Hebrews, which gives us teaching […]
Related: Cleansing or Washing The Blood of Christ. Blood in scripture is always connected with death, because, as we read in Lev. 17:11, “the life of the flesh is in the blood”. Blood can sometimes be a symbol of death generally, usually as a judgment, of life being taken, like the river of Egypt […]
Related: Angels Gabriel. Gabriel is one of the two great angels mentioned by name. Michael, the archangel, is especially connected with the children of Israel, their protection as a people, and their destiny as a nation (Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1). But then there is Gabriel who “stands before God”, who was described by Daniel […]
Legality or Legalism. The term “legality” is not found in scripture, although the substance of it is addressed repeatedly. The term refers to the error of putting oneself or others under a legal standard as a rule for justification or practical holiness before God or man. It makes that which is external the basis of […]
Mark. Mark, or “John, whose surname was Mark”, as he is called in Acts 12:12; 12:25; 15:37, was a servant of Christ and a New Testament writer. When we first read of John Mark, we find that his mother, Mary, opened her home up for a prayer meeting. Later in the same chapter, we find […]
Crowns. There are two words in the New Testament translated crown; one is ‘wreath’ or ‘crown’, the other is ‘diadem’. Crowns are rewards for service and accomplishments. Diadems are worn by right and title, as by royal birth. The word is ‘wreath’ used in Matthew 27:29 is the same word used in Hebrews 2:9. Man […]
Related: Last Days The Apostasy of the Christian Profession. The New Testament foretells the sad breakdown and apostasy, or “falling away” of the Christian profession. In fact, all the New Testament writers universally agree in their prediction of this sad situation.1 It may be helpful to see that this apostasy occurs in phases, whereby […]
Related: The Apostasy of the Christian Profession Two “Last Days” Distinguished. The expression “last days” or “end of days” in reference to Israel means the end of Israel’s prophetic history (Gen 49:1; Num. 24:14; Deut. 4:30; Deut. 31:29; Job 19:25; Isa 2:2; Ezek. 38:16; Dan. 2:28; Dan. 10:14; Dan. 12:13; Mic. 4:1; Acts 2:17; […]
Related: Resurrection, The Resurrection of Christ The First Resurrection (Rev. 20:4). It is of utmost importance to understand the first resurrection. The first resurrection is a resurrection “from among the dead”. All of the dead will be raised, but the first resurrection is a special resurrection that will take place before the general resurrection. It […]
Godliness. Godliness, sometimes translated piety, comes from the Greek word meaning “well devout”, and it refers to a manner of living that is totally pleasing to God. It relates to holiness, and certainly includes it, but is broader. Godliness or “devoutness” involves our motives, our attitude, and our conduct in the sight of God. Christ […]
Related: Office; Spiritual Gifts; Christian Priesthood Three Spheres of Christian Activity. What God has asked the believer to do (i.e. Christian activity) can be largely divided into three spheres: office, gift, and priesthood. When all of these spheres are maintained in their proper order, the result is the God is glorified and His people […]
Related: The Gospel of the Kingdom; The Everlasting Gospel The Christian Gospel. The gospel that Christians preach, “the gospel of the grace of God” and “the gospel of the glory of God”, is based on the death and resurrection of Christ, His exaltation at God’s right hand, and God’s heart of love flowing out […]
Related: The Gospel; The Everlasting Gospel; The Kingdom of Heaven; The Kingdom of God The Gospel of the Kingdom. The “gospel of the kingdom” is the presentation of good news based on Christ’s glory as king (Matt. 4:23; 9:35; 24:14). It is connected with earthly hopes and deliverance rather than heavenly hopes. It announces […]
Related: The Gospel of the Kingdom; The Gospel The Everlasting Gospel. The “everlasting gospel” warns of coming judgment based on God’s power and majesty as Creator, and therefore man’s responsibility to Him as Judge (Psa. 19:1-3, Psa. 96, Rom. 1:19-20). God will at last intervene to deliver a world fallen into Satan’s hands through […]
Related: The First Epistle to Timothy Timothy. Timotheus, or Timothy, was a young man from Derbe whom Paul calls “my own son in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2) and to whom Paul addressed two pastoral epistles. He was a companion of the apostle Paul from a young age, accompanying him on many journeys. As […]