No. In the New Testament, prophecy is described as a revelation for a particular moment (1 Cor 14:30). Preaching and teaching[1] is an exposition of what God has already revealed in his written Word, the Bible. I grew up in a church setting in which people often claimed that what is described in the New … Continue reading Is New Testament Prophecy the Same as Preaching and Teaching?
Tag: Bible
Should We Bear One Another’s Burdens? (Galatians 6:2) or Carry Our Own Load? (Galatians 6:5)
Which is it? Are we supposed to carry one another’s burdens, as Galatians 6:2 says: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”? Or should we carry our own load, as Galatians 6:5 (only three verses later) says: “For each will have to bear his own load”? First, let me remind readers … Continue reading Should We Bear One Another’s Burdens? (Galatians 6:2) or Carry Our Own Load? (Galatians 6:5)
What Does it Mean to Do Things “in the Spirit”?
Frequently in the Bible, and especially in the letters of the Apostle Paul, we come across the expression “in the Spirit”—or similar such expressions. This kind of expression is used in various ways in the Bible, but the one I’m drawn to today is when people do things “in the Spirit.” What kinds of activities … Continue reading What Does it Mean to Do Things “in the Spirit”?
Why We Should Stop Using The Message
This article was originally posted at the Good Book Blog on November 2, 2016. I'm re-posting it because I still know people who are using The Message--and it's still a problem. It’s time we stopped reading, buying, and recommending The Message. We who hold to a high view of Scripture—that the Bible is the very word of God, … Continue reading Why We Should Stop Using The Message
Eight Things I Learned from David Needham
Earlier this week, David Needham, my former teacher at Multnomah Bible College, passed into the presence of the Lord at the age of 94. During the past few days, I have been reflecting upon his profound influence on me. Here are eight things I learned from my beloved teacher. 1. Awe in the Presence of … Continue reading Eight Things I Learned from David Needham
What Does Grace Do? An Unusual Choice of Words by the Apostle Paul
What do you mean, Ken…what does grace do? Grace doesn’t do anything. Grace is unmerited favor from God. It is something given. Grammatically, grace isn’t the subject of the verb; it’s the object of the verb. It’s the thing that God bestows. Right? Yes…usually. But not in every case. Although you are entirely correct to … Continue reading What Does Grace Do? An Unusual Choice of Words by the Apostle Paul
Something Important about Forgiveness
When Jesus hung on the cross, did he forgive those who crucified him? Technically, no. Jesus prayed that the Father would forgive his persecutors. He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). He asked God the Father to forgive his murderers, and thereby transferred the decision of … Continue reading Something Important about Forgiveness
Seven Favorite Christian Books of 2023
Welcome to 2024! As we enter a new year, I want to share my seven favorite Christian books of 2023. Note that my very favorite books of the year are at the bottom of this list, so you’ll want to keep reading. #7 The Spirit Said Go: Lessons in Guidance from Paul’s Journeys by Mark … Continue reading Seven Favorite Christian Books of 2023
Why December 25 for Christmas?
One popular but less-likely theory for why we celebrate Christmas on December 25 is that Christians piggy-backed their Christmas celebration on the Roman pagan Sol Invictus festival (the Unconquered Sun), which was established in A.D. 274 by the Emperor Aurelian. In some modern Christian circles, the claim that the date of Christmas was borrowed from … Continue reading Why December 25 for Christmas?
One Mark of Christian Maturity
Most biblical indicators of Christian maturity involve a person’s developing character qualities. But I have observed another common quality among Christians who could be described as “mature”—by which I do not mean “older,” but people who have developed well as Christians, whatever their age. Here is one (less frequently discussed) mark of Christian maturity. Spiritually … Continue reading One Mark of Christian Maturity
Kindle Afresh 