Matthew 13:33 says, “Another parable He spoke to them: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.’ ” Known as the Kingdom Parables, the “Parable of the Leaven” is the fourth in this series...
Some Bible scholars have called this phenomenon the “Messianic Secret.” The Gospels record instances when Jesus did not want anyone to know that He was the Messiah. For example, in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus often concealed His identity. After performing miracles, Jesus...
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46 The seven parables in Matthew 13 depict the Kingdom of Heaven. Within this...
Since Pentecost (Acts 2), one of the defining characteristics of this present age of grace has been the immediate and permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers. Before His ascension back to heaven, the Lord had promised His disciples that they...
"Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part."1 Corinthians 13:8-9 The book of Acts records several...
Throughout history, Christians and non-Christians alike have repeatedly asked this question. All kinds of afflicted people ask it, and numerous skeptics use the subject to attack God and His Word. Thankfully, the Bible provides multifaceted answers in both testaments....
Is God male or female? This has become a sensitive issue in contemporary Christian theology with feminism (both liberal and evangelical) attaching much significance to the gender issue relative to God. The cultural gender revolution is not only impacting how people...
One of the most mysterious statements by our Lord came on the first evening following His resurrection. Meeting privately with His disciples, He commissioned them for the task of world evangelization (v.21). Having breathed on them, He stated, “Receive the Holy...
Isaiah 9:6-7 says: “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and...
In truth, every scripturally gathered assembly does indeed have a Pastor. The important distinction is that the Pastor of each local assembly is the Lord Jesus Christ, and not a full-time paid person as the word “pastor” is often understood to be. Our first...
First, we must have an appreciation for who the Holy Spirit is and how He functions within the Godhead. In the Great Commission, Christ affirms the deity of the Person of the Holy Spirit by stating the one singular Name of the triune God: “…baptizing them in the name...
The Bible speaks about both the “gifts” and “fruit” of the Holy Spirit. It is essential for believers to be aware of the differences between them. Both the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit are manifestations or expressions of the Holy Spirit and come to us through...
Various “pseudo-Christian” groups, cults, and religions question the truth that Christ is God and seem to be adept at stating their case. While we may admire their zeal, their belief systems are not founded on biblical truth. Anticipating such opposition, the Gospel...
The so called “Gap Theory” attempts to accommodate and explain what popular geology has proposed as the age of our planet. Having read arguments from both sides by several dozen adherents and opponents of the Gap Theory, and having conversed with a number more, I am...
An Old Testament event may help us better understand the truth of the sealing of the Holy Spirit (Jer. 32:6-15). Jeremiah was in prison for his faithfulness to the Lord in prophesying that Jerusalem would be besieged and taken captive by Babylon. At this hopeless time...
John the Baptist prophesied: “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” John had baptized in water, but Christ would baptize in or with the Holy...
Salvation cannot be earned but must be received through faith in Christ alone. Romans 4:16 and 20 says: “Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to...
Romans 5:12-14 says: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned...
The rapture has been imminent throughout church history. At any moment Christ could finish building His church and return in the air for her. When the rapture does occur, the dead in Christ will be resurrected first; then living believers will be instantly glorified...
The word translated “overcome” (nikao, G3528) derives from the word “victory” (nike, G3529). It means “to conquer, to get the victory, to prevail.”1 Therefore, overcomers are victorious. But how and over what? Prior to the cross, knowing He would ultimately...