At the turn of the twentieth century, people lived with the idea that humanity was improving, that morality would increase, and that science and technology would help usher in a utopia. Human beings, it was believed, were essentially on the path toward perfection. Through the right kind of education and moral training, it was thought … Continue reading –>
The power of God. The power of God is illustrated by three key words in Romans 1:16-17: gospel, righteousness, faith. What is the special meaning of these words as they relate to all new Christians in Paul’s day and today? 1) The gospel or the good _____; righteousness or being ________ with God; 3) faith … Continue reading –>
The introduction to the lesson study this week points to: Hymn 295, “Chief of Sinners”. The key words listed for Sunday’s study are: Gospel; Hymn 378, “Go, Preach My Gospel”, 2, Righteousness; Hymn 177, “Jesus, Your Blood and Righteousness” and 3, Faith: Hymn 100, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”,and Hymn 304, “Faith of Our Fathers”. To … Continue reading –>
Read Romans 3:23. Why is this message so easy for us as Christians to believe today? At the same time, what could cause some people to question the truthfulness of this text? Amazingly enough, some people actually challenge the idea of human sinfulness, arguing that people are basically good. The problem, however, stems from a lack … Continue reading –>
“I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘He who through faith is righteous shall live’” … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Rom. 1:16-17, Rom. 1:22-32; Rom. 2:1-10, Rom. 2:17-24; Rom. 3:1-2, Rom. 3:10-18, Rom. 3:23. Memory Text: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Early in the book of Romans, Paul seeks to establish a crucial truth, one central to the gospel-the sad state of the human condition. This truth exists because, from the … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Jew and Gentile,” pp. 188-192, 194-197; “Apostasy in Galatia,” pp. 383-388, in The Acts of the Apostles; “The Law Given to Israel,” pp. 310-312; “The Law and the Covenants,” pp. 370-373, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “The Chosen People,” pages 27-30, in The Desire of Ages. No doubt, our church faces times of controversy and dissension. But this is nothing … Continue reading –>
Who controls the church? That is a question that is as relevant today as it was during the time of the early church. This week as we discuss The Controversy, in addition to examining what, we will also look at why. Why was there a controversy that was threatening to split the early church? In … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “The Controversy” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from the HopeTV Sabbath School Site. … Continue reading –>
However clear the council, there were those who sought to go their own way and who continued to advocate that the Gentiles keep Jewish traditions and laws. For Paul this became a very serious matter; that is, it wasn’t trifling over the fine points of faith. It had become a denial of the gospel of … Continue reading –>
