Category: Bible Study

THERE’S NOBODY LIKE JESUS

“Reform your lives! The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” —Matthew 4:17 Jesus was walking along a part of the shore of the Sea of Galilee used by commercial fishing businesses. He commanded two brothers to follow Him and leave behind their business, livelihood, families, and the only way of life they had ever known. They obeyed Jesus’ command immediately (Mt 4:20). That this was not a fluke is attested by the fact that Jesus did the same thing at another commercial fishing business and two other brothers also left everything to follow Jesus (Mt 4:22). There is something special...

THE CONVERTIBLE ON STRAIGHT STREET

“Saul saw in a vision a man named Ananias coming to him and placing his hands on him so that he might recover his sight.” —Acts 9:12 The Lord still converts Sauls into Pauls whenever He can find Ananiases who will obey Him. He turns persecutors into missionaries when He can find people who will risk their lives for the Gospel. If the Lord can get an Ananias to go to Straight Street, He’ll back up this Ananias with signs and wonders. Those who profess their faith will “expel demons,” “speak entirely new languages,” “handle serpents,” “drink deadly poison without...

RESPECTING GOD’S CHOICE

David said: “I decided, ‘I will not raise a hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’ ” —1 Samuel 24:11 David spared Saul’s life when he had a perfect chance to kill his tormentor. David was a seasoned warrior who had killed many opponents (e.g. see 1 Sm 23:5; 30:17ff). The only reason David held back his hand was because Saul carried the anointing of leadership from God. Saul had been chosen by God (1 Sm 10:1). Jesus “summoned the men He Himself had decided on” (Mk 3:13). It wasn’t that the twelve apostles were especially qualified...

THE ALL-POWERFUL NAME OF THE LORD

“You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the Lord.” —1 Samuel 17:45 The giant Goliath came against David with spear, sword, and scimitar. However, the youth David came against Goliath with something infinitely more powerful: the name of the Lord. The battle belonged to the Lord (1 Sm 17:47), and God’s name was victorious. Many giants today likewise attempt to dominate us who serve the Lord. These present-day giants might say something like “I come against you with funding, a powerful legal team, and public opinion,” or “I...

ANOINTED OR DEFEATED?

“Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand, anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and from that day on, the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David.” —1 Samuel 16:13 Samuel had anointed Saul, but Saul had been unfaithful. Samuel grieved over Saul’s unfaithfulness, but the Lord told Samuel to quit crying and to anoint someone else (1 Sm 16:1ff). We likewise need to quit bemoaning the evils of our time and proceed to anoint others. This means that we should lead people to be baptized into Jesus (see Acts 2:38), to receive the anointings of Baptism and...