Posted on November 22nd, 2009 by Pastor Jeff in doctrine
“The power of His resurrection.”
Philippians 3:10
The doctrine of a risen Saviour is exceedingly precious. The resurrection is the corner-stone of the entire building of Christianity. It is the key-stone of the arch of our salvation. It would take a volume to set forth all the streams of living water which flow from this one sacred source, the resurrection of our dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; but to know that He has risen, and to have fellowship with Him as such–communing with the risen Saviour by possessing a risen life–seeing Him leave the tomb by leaving the tomb of worldliness ourselves, this is even still more precious. The doctrine is the basis of the experience, but as the flower is more lovely than the root, so is the experience of fellowship with the risen Saviour more lovely than the doctrine itself. I would have you believe that Christ rose from the dead so as to sing of it, and derive all the consolation which it is possible for you to extract from this well-ascertained and well-witnessed fact; but I beseech you, rest not contented even there. Though you cannot, like the disciples, see Him visibly, yet I bid you aspire to see Christ Jesus by the eye of faith; and though, like Mary Magdalene, you may not “touch” Him, yet may you be privileged to converse with Him, and to know that He is risen, you yourselves being risen in Him to newness of life. To know a crucified Saviour as having crucified all my sins, is a high degree of knowledge; but to know a risen Saviour as having justified me, and to realize that He has bestowed upon me new life, having given me to be a new creature through His own newness of life, this is a noble style of experience: short of it, none ought to rest satisfied. May you both “know Him, and the power of His resurrection.” Why should souls who are quickened with Jesus, wear the grave-clothes of worldliness and unbelief? Rise, for the Lord is risen.
Baptist College for Leadership is starting its classes for the First Block (June 9 to July 31, 2009) tomorrow and below is a list of the subjects being offered and their respective instructors for the First Block of Academic Year 2009-2010.
Block 1 (AY 2009-2010)
Old Testament Survey 1
Personal Evangelism
Personal Spiritual Development
Survey of Theology 1
Music Theory 1
Emotional Health
Expository Preaching
Youth Ministry Concepts
Anthropology
Posted on January 23rd, 2009 by Pastor Jeff in doctrine
2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
Many false teachings and interpretations of God’s word arise because many don not handle it properly. A lot of the beliefs of the cults (beliefs that believe in the Bible but believe on something else other than what it teaches) based on particular Bible verses are usually based on passages that are taken out of context. Meaning, the passages are read the way they want it.
When we read the Bible, we must try to figure out, through proper study methods, what the writer originally wanted to say in what he wrote to his audience. Doing this can eliminate many of the confusion in beliefs in essential beliefs.
Do you know how to properly handle God’s word? Are you moving towards learning how to do so? It’s never too late to start.
Posted on December 4th, 2008 by Pastor Jeff in doctrine
John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
This statement of Jesus is very authoritative. Many people believe that there are many ways to God but Jesus’ claim refutes that belief. There is only one way to God and that way was determined by God, not man. We are not God so we better not act or think as if we know better. Jesus’ claim is that He is the ONLY way to God and this makes other ways to God wrong. And He has proven this through His own resurrection.
Posted on December 3rd, 2008 by Pastor Jeff in doctrine
Romans 3:20 “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”
The commands in the Bible were given as a guide for living. When God gave them, they were supposed to be the standard that we must reach but God knew that, because of our sinfulness, we can’t reach His standards. That doesn’t mean, however, that the commands can’t serve as a basis of right and wrong. The commands just show us how badly we need God to help us do right.
The passage above tells us that the commands make us conscious of sin – and the intended effect is that we would seek a Savior to save us and that is Jesus.
Posted on December 1st, 2008 by Pastor Jeff in doctrine
Matthew 1:21 “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
The name that Mary gave to her son was actually a common name among Jews during the New Testament times. It was a name that most mothers named their sons with. But what set Jesus apart from the others was His purpose. He came to save people from sin. He was the Messiah. He was Jesus the Christ.
And Jesus did live up to this purpose. He lived a sinless life that made Him the only acceptable sacrifice and payment for our sins. He died and rose again, proving to us that He can save us, because He saved Himself from the end result of sin which is death.
Posted on November 29th, 2008 by Pastor Jeff in doctrine
Colossians 1:15-17 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.”
In this passage, we learn that Jesus is being referred to by Paul as being active during creation. When I was a young believer, I thought and heard from skeptics of Jesus’ deity that Jesus existed only when He was born. But I learned that there are many Old Testament passages that imply the presence of Jesus. This passage in Colossians solidifies Jesus’ presence and points out that Jesus was already existent even before creation.
Many cults in the Philippines who believe in the Bible but do not believe in Jesus’ deity often use this passage to say that Jesus is just an “image of the invisible God” without fully looking at the context of the passage that Jesus was active in creation – as active as God the Father was. This is actually a strong supplement to Jesus’ deity if it is interpreted in its context.
Jesus is 100% man but He is 100% God!
