Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. What is the message here, and why is it so relevant to us today, living when we do? How can we take these words and apply them in the practical moments of day-to-day living? So much exists in those verses, but one point should stand out so clearly, and that is the … [Click to read more …]
Study Acts 3:19-21. How does the blotting out of sins that is mentioned here relate to the cleansing of the sanctuary that we studied yesterday? While Peter may not have known the “times or seasons” (Acts 1:7), his reference to Joel’s prophecy in Acts 2:14-21 points to his appreciation of the fulfillment of prophecy in his time. In his … [Click to read more …]
The earthly sanctuary service revealed three phases of salvation: substitutionary sacrifice, priestly mediation, and judgment. The Bible teaches that all three phases of salvation are embodied in the ministry of Christ on behalf of sinners. Read Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:24-25; 2 Corinthians 5:21. How does Christ’s death on the cross satisfy the substitutionary aspect of salvation? What do these … [Click to read more …]
Fundamental Belief No. 24 opens with the following words: “There is a sanctuary in heaven – the true tabernacle which the Lord set up and not man” (see Heb. 8:2). One of the matter-of-fact assumptions of the Bible is the existence of a heavenly sanctuary (Ps. 11:4). Read Hebrews 8:1-5. What is the main point taught in these verses? … [Click to read more …]
Read for This Week’s Study: Heb. 8:1-5; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 9:23; Acts 3:19-21. Memory Text: “ ‘Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must … [Click to read more …]
Read Ministerial Association of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, chapters 22, 23, in Seventh-day Adventists Believe; Miroslav M. Kis, “Christian Lifestyle and Behavior,” pp. 675-723, in Raoul Dederen (ed.) Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology. “Acts of generosity and benevolence were designed by God to keep the hearts of the children of men tender and sympathetic, and … [Click to read more …]
Maria grew up in Poland. As a teenager Maria searched for God, but she didn’t find what she was looking for. Eventually she returned to her parents’ church and immersed herself in its practices, hoping for spiritual fulfillment. As she read the Bible, she discovered many texts that raised questions in her mind. The book … [Click to read more …]
Beyond the family, the Christian has other social and professional involvements – a clear recognition of the biblical view that Christians are in the world but not of the world (John 17:14-18). Consider the following three areas of daily life and discuss the Christian’s responsibilities in regard to lifestyle and behavior: 1. Employer/Employee Relations (James 5:4-6, Eph. 6:5-9). Apart from regarding … [Click to read more …]
Humans are social beings. At home and work, and in public and civic places, people are involved in all kinds of relationships. Responsible Christian behavior ought to be evident at all these levels, and the Bible has relevant principles by which to guide these relationships. Study the following Bible passages in order to come up with … [Click to read more …]
Jesus tells us very clearly that “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matt. 22:39). A very interesting text in light of the idea that we often look at love for self as the height of all that is opposed both to Christianity and to the idea of disinterested selflessness. What did Jesus mean by this … [Click to read more …]
