Our Great High Priest

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Jesus Christ is the High Priest of every believer.  He left His throne in Heaven to come to this Earth to pay the price for our sin.  He is the One Who entered into the Holy of Holies with His own blood to propitiate the wrath of God.

Like the high priests of ancient Israel, Jesus Christ was among mankind when He ministered.  He felt pain, hunger, thirst.  He knew temptation, even by Satan himself!  Yet, He lived a perfect life without sin.  That is what made Him the perfect, spotless Lamb of God, Who could take away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

What Needy People Need

Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Jesus Christ completes every believer.  The Greek word translated “complete” means to be completely full, crammed, or fully satisfied.  In His grace, God gives us the Gift that keeps on giving.  No matter how “needy” we become, Jesus is all we need.

How Did We Get the Bible?

2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Questions are often asked such as, “Just where did the Bible come from anyway?  Isn’t it just a collection of human writings?”  Continue reading

The Word Was God

John 1:1-3

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2 The same was in the beginning with God.  3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In John’s writings, he often refers to Jesus Christ as “the Word”.  Jesus is the living Word of God.  He is the only Person Who lived up to the standards of God’s Word while on the Earth.  When He spoke, people heard the Word of God.  For these reasons and more, Jesus is truly “the Word”. Continue reading

Dead to the Law: Studies in Galatians – Lesson 8 (2:17-21)

Galatians 2:17-21

17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.  19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.  20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Continue reading

Dead to the Law: Studies in Galatians – Lesson 7 (2:11-16)

Galatians 2:11-16

11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.  13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.  14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?  15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,  16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Continue reading

Dead to the Law: Studies in Galatians – Lesson 6 (2:6-10)

Galatians 2:6-10

6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: 7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. Continue reading

Dead to the Law: Studies in Galatians – Lesson 5 (2:1-5)

Galatians 2:1-5

1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. Continue reading

Dead to the Law: Studies in Galatians – Lesson 4 (1:15-24)

Galatians 1:15-24

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. 20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: 23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me. Continue reading

Dead to the Law: Studies in Galatians – Lesson 3 (1:10-14)

Galatians 1:10-14

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. Continue reading