If God can be “one,” with the two Persons of the Father and the Son, adding a third Person to the Godhead should not particularly add more difficulty. We are talking here about the Holy Spirit.1 Read Genesis 1:2. What does this tell us about the role of the Holy Spirit, who appears so early in … Continue reading –>
Jonathan: “Dad, where are we going?” Father: “Son, we’re going to the Johnsons’ house.” Jonathan: “What? Why aren’t we going to church?” Father: “We are, Jonathan. We’re going to church at the Johnsons’ today.”1 Jonathan: “But why, Dad? Why aren’t we going to the same church where we’ve always gone?” Father: “It’s closed today, Son. … Continue reading –>
The deity of the Father is scarcely, if ever, in dispute. Those who question the Trinity often challenge the deity of Christ. Were Christ anything but eternal and fully divine, the plan of salvation would be seriously compromised (see Thursday’s lesson). 1 How does Paul, once a rigid Pharisee, talk about the deity of Christ? Phil. 2:6. … Continue reading –>
The belief system of the ancient Hebrews was rigorously monotheistic, “mono” expressing “one” and “theistic” from the Greek word for “God,” meaning that there is only one true God. This position is unwavering all through the Old Testament. There is but one God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and not many gods … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Deut. 6:4; Phil. 2:6; Matt. 28:19; Gen. 1:26, 27; John 14–16. Memory Text: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 20, 21, NKJV). Key Thought: Scripture contains references … Continue reading –>
“The cross of Calvary challenges, and will finally vanquish every earthly and hellish power. In the cross all influence centers, and from it all influence goes forth. It is the great center of attraction; for on it Christ gave up His life for the human race. This sacrifice was offered for the purpose of restoring … Continue reading –>
A friend of mine tells the story of the time when he was on a train filled with other academy students, returning home for a term break. It was one of those trains where the carriages comprised individual compartments, called “dog boxes” in Australian parlance. Students, being students, were making the most of these dog … Continue reading –>
Sumakwel Laviña “Look,” I told my three teenagers, “we need to be united in our faith. We go to one church, and your new mom goes to another. But since you don’t like either church, then find a faith we all can follow.” It was a challenge, and I didn’t really expect them to meet … Continue reading –>
Stan: Can you believe it? We have fourteen Sabbaths this quarter!1 Pam: And one of the shortest books in the Bible. Stan: You’re right. I think that’s made a big difference in our study this quarter, don’t you? Pam: Sure. I think most of us have been blessed by studying the book of Galatians so intensely. … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Paul closes his letter to the Galatians with a strong appeal, clinging only to the cross as his reason for life. [Teaching plan for “Boasting in the Cross” December 28, 2011] 1. Have a volunteer read Galatians 6:11-13. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea … Continue reading –>
Paul bestows his blessing on those who, he says, “follow this rule” (Gal. 6:16, NIV, NRSV). Given the context, what “rule” do you think Paul is talking about? 1 The word translated “rule” literally refers to a straight rod or bar used by masons or carpenters for measuring. The word eventually took on a figurative meaning referring to the … Continue reading –>
Having emphasized the centrality of the Cross of Christ to the Christian life, Paul now emphasizes the second fundamental tenet of his gospel message: justification by faith.1 As we have seen all quarter, Paul has basically pitted circumcision against the gospel. Yet, he’s not against the practice itself. Paul has made several strong statements against … Continue reading –>
