Covenants are based on promises. In fact, it is possible to use the two terms interchangeably. Of course, when a covenant is made, it is expected that the person who makes the promise (covenant) has the ability to deliver what is promised (covenanted). In the Old Testament, some covenants were local and limited affairs (see, … Continue reading –>
(Gen. 9:12-17) A covenant can be simply defined as an agreement between two parties based upon promises made by either one or by both parties. There are two basic methods by which a covenant can operate. In the first, both parties to the covenant agree to the terms of the relationship and make mutual promises. … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Gen. 9:12-17, Gen 17:2-12, Gal. 3:15-28, Deut. 9:9, Heb. 10:11-18, Heb. 9:15-28. Memory Text: For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins … Continue reading –>
Mpo [m’POH] and Tendai [TEN-dai],* live in Zambia. One day they were hot and thirsty after playing. They sat down in the shade to rest. Then Mpo jumped up. “There’s a b-i-g watermelon growing in a field near here. Let’s go get it!” The two boys set off toward the field. “Mpo ran ahead and … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, Preaching the Distinctive Truths, p. 231, 232, in Evangelism; The Faith That Works and How Faith Is Made Perfect, p. 88, 89 in The Faith I Live By. “Let the subject be made distinct and plain that it is not possible to effect anything in our standing before God … Continue reading –>
(Rom. 1:16, 17) No matter how good our lives are, none can escape the constant reminders of sin. Inevitably, happiness is interrupted by sickness, death, disaster. On a personal level, feelings of spiritual security are often challenged by memories of past sins and, even worse, by the urge to sin again. In what ways do … Continue reading –>
(John 1:17) John condensed the history of salvation into one verse: The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17, NKJV). As a result of Adam’s sin, all humanity has been affected by the curse of death. The curse is intensified by the fact that no one born … Continue reading –>
(Acts 10:34, 35) Read Acts 10:34-35; Acts 17:26-27; Romans 1:20; and Romans 2:14. What is the central teaching of these texts? Despite Israel’s mistakes, God did not leave the people in other nations without a witness. Those who were not privileged to receive God’s written revelation received divine messages through the pages of natural revelation … Continue reading –>
(Deut. 30:15-18) The giving of the law to Israel was a special act. Just before He gave the law to Moses, God reminded His people that they are a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exod. 19:6, NKJV). Among all nations on the face of the earth, it was to Israel that God specially … Continue reading –>
Read Romans 7:7-12. What is Paul saying here about the relationship between sin and law? Why would he even ask such a question as, Is the law sin? (NKJV). Paul so closely relates the law and sin that he asks the rhetorical question, Is the law sin? The answer, of course, is that it’s not; … Continue reading –>
