Tagged: Bible Study

“The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” –Revelation 21:14 The holy city, the Church in glory, is founded on the apostles (see also Eph 2:20). This gives us an objective criterion for recognizing the Church founded by Jesus. The Church founded by Jesus can historically trace herself back to the apostles through the ordination of its bishops. By recognizing Jesus’ Church, we know who to believe on such critical matters of faith and morals as: • Do we receive the Body...

“For from Him and through Him and for Him all things are. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” —Romans 11:36 The most important question in life is: “Who do you say” Jesus is? (Mt 16:15) If we confess with our lips that Jesus is the Messiah, Lord, and Son of God (Mt 16:16; Rm 10:9) and if we live for Jesus and not for ourselves (2 Cor 5:15), we will be saved from death, self-deception, slavery, damnation, and hell, and we will be saved for freedom, purity, holiness, love, peace, joy, and eternal life. Moreover, when we accept the grace...

“They are fond of places of honor.” —Matthew 23:6 Our American society is “fond of places of honor.” We have honor rolls, radio and TV interviews, Halls of Fame, autograph sessions, awards banquets, and numerous other ways to honor others. While the Lord does call us to honor our parents (Dt 5:16; Sir 3:2ff) and all people (1 Pt 2:17), He is adamant that we do not seek honor for ourselves. “Let another praise you — not your own mouth; someone else — not your own lips” (Prv 27:2). Yet though we don’t praise ourselves directly, we are not to...

” ‘My friend,’ he said, ‘how is it you came in here not properly dressed?’ The man had nothing to say.” –Matthew 22:12 Jesus will sprinkle clean water on us to give us new life in Him and cleanse us from all our impurities (Ez 36:25). He will give us a new heart and a new spirit (Ez 36:26) and will even put His Spirit within us (Ez 36:27). Furthermore, He will give us robes of righteousness (see 2 Cor 5:3) and make us holy as He is holy (1 Pt 1:16). If we don’t have victory on earth and...

“For thus says the Lord God: I Myself will look after and tend My sheep.” –Ezekiel 34:11 God’s sheep were in bad condition. They were malnourished (see Ez 34:3), weak, sick, injured, strayed, lost (Ez 34:4), scattered, and vulnerable to “all the wild beasts” (Ez 34:5). In many places today, God’s sheep are also in critical condition. Our society, parts of the Church, many families, and countless Christians are in critical condition. However, there is hope in Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Jesus has already provided for the shepherding of all His sheep by laying down His life as the sacrificial...