Some Christians have the conviction that only those who hear and respond positively to the Christian gospel can be saved. The people, sometimes called exclusivists, regard all non-Christian religions as constructs of fallen humans, which express willful rebellion against God. Non-Christians are, they believe for that reason, outside the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Some … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 4:12, Ps. 87:4-6, John 10:16, Rom. 2:12-16, John 14:6, Rom. 1:18. Memory Text: Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now … Continue reading –>
Gamini Mendis I remained in the hospital for two weeks in great pain, but slowly began to recover. Many pastors came to visit me. Some said that God struck me down because I had visited the Adventist church. The Adventist pastor visited me several times and brought me a book titled The Great Controversy. I … Continue reading –>
The apostle Paul has been compared with the Butterfly Effect in Chaos Theory: that the flap of a butterfly’s wings in California causes a hurricane in Asia. His work as a writer and preacher helped turn a Jewish sect in an obscure corner of the Roman Empire into a world religion. The ideas put forth … Continue reading –>
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV Ever been haunted by your past? … Continue reading –>
Paul was a hard worker with a strong personality and singleness of purpose. Such persons can be loners with few friends but many admirers. However, on his travels, two or three fellow workers often accompanied Paul. At least eight of these close fellow workers are mentioned by name (Acts 13:2; Acts 15:22, Acts 15:37; Acts 16:1-3; Acts … Continue reading –>
There are few things more depressing and debilitating than a false sense of hope that is dashed to pieces on the rocks of reality. Just give it to me straight or don’t give it to me at all. Don’t boost my ego at the expense of my destiny. Don’t tell me things you think I … Continue reading –>
For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2, NKJV). No question, the Cross of Christ was central to all that Paul lived and taught. But Paul didn’t teach the Cross in a vacuum; instead, he taught it in the context of other teachings, as well; … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : God invites us to share the good news of salvation in ways that will be attractive and meaningful to different people. Paul : Mission and Message, September 12-18, 2015 Have a volunteer read 2 Corinthians 1:21-24 a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text … Continue reading –>
Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law (Romans 3:31 NIV) . What law must Paul be talking about here? In English translations of Paul’s letters, the word law appears about one hundred thirty times, and in the Acts of the Apostles, about twenty times. Paul … Continue reading –>
As a skilled communicator, Paul in his mission work used the familiar to explain the unfamiliar. He took everyday features of the Greco-Roman world to illustrate the practical reality of new life in Christ. He drew especially from two areas of his converts’ world for his teaching metaphors—athletes with their games and the ever-present Roman … Continue reading –>
Current Lesson An apology or a promise? Paul sent a message to the early church with an assurance and a promise (Phil 3:13-14.) What were they? Imagine it happening today. What would Paul do with a laptop computer and email? Not to mention our church’s many other communications channels. How far would you be willing … Continue reading –>
