the new self created in the likeness of God
“God gave them up” (Romans 1.24,26,28) are some of the saddest words in all of Scripture. While Paul was speaking of the world’s departure from God in general, his words in Romans 1.21-22 would have application to Adam and Eve: “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks... Continue Reading →
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—” (Romans 5:12, ESV). There is no tragedy greater than the one recorded in Genesis 3, for this chapter reveals how God’s “very good” creation left the light for darkness. It... Continue Reading →
The focus of chapter 1 was the creation of all things, beginning with an earth that was formless, void and dark but ending with a fully formed, filled and enlightened heavens and earth. All that God created was good, but the pinnacle of His creation was man, created in God’s own image. God could look... Continue Reading →
The creation account in Genesis 1 has never been compatible with man’s worldview. The cultures of the Ancient Near East believed in creation, but a radically different creation from the one presented in Genesis. The Sumerian account Enuma Elish depicted creation occurring when primordial gods of water gave birth to younger gods, but these gods... Continue Reading →
Genesis is the title given to the first book of the Bible, a latin term meaning origin or beginning. It’s a fitting title for the book which the Jews titled by it’s first Hebrew word bere’shith, “in the beginning,” for the books tells of many beginnings: the world, man, the family, sin, judgment, hope, nations,... Continue Reading →
Let’s return to the beginning of Acts for just a moment. Luke was writing to Theophilus (literally “lover of God”) and reminded him of “the first book… (that) dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up…” (Acts 1.1-2). That “first book” referred to what we... Continue Reading →
When the Lord instructed Ananias to go to Saul, He revealed that this former persecutor of the church would “carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9.15). Paul had spent years fulfilling the Lord’s words, until he arrived in Jerusalem and was attacked by a Jewish mob. But... Continue Reading →
Paul had defended the Way before his countrymen (Acts 22), but more trials were in store. In this lesson we will see Paul defend the Way before a Roman governor, all in prelude to his eventual journey to Rome itself. “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so... Continue Reading →
When the Jews from Asia first seized Paul in the temple, they made three charges against the Lord’s apostle: they said he spoke against 1)the people, 2) the law and 3) this place (see Acts 21.28). In Acts 22 we see Paul make his defense (apologia) before the mob who had just tried to kill... Continue Reading →
“You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” (Acts 11.3) Such was the criticism aimed at Peter when he preached the gospel to the Gentiles, and while he was able to help his critics understand and accept God’s plan (Acts 11.18), a divide would remain between Jew and Gentile converts. That came to the... Continue Reading →
Built By Him 