This is an ongoing series of posts on various topics as I feel impressed upon by God in my prayer time. Each message is limited to only one page to keep them concise, pertinent, and forceful. What I love about these posts is that they get right to the point which helps you, the reader, get the point convincingly. My heart is to help you understand the Scriptures better as the Lord has been helping me understand, “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened” (Eph 1:18).
Say Not in Your Heart
Paul quoted Moses’ words from Deuteronomy, “Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and … Continue reading “Say Not in Your Heart”
Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord?
“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home [endēmeō 1736] in the body, we are absent [ekdēmeō 1553] from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent [ekdēmeō 1553] from the body, and to be present [endēmeō 1736] … Continue reading “Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord?”
Examining Sola Fide
Habakkuk’s famous statement “but the just shall live by his faith [‘ĕmûnȃ 530]” (Hab 2:4), isn’t about faith but faithfulness as rendered correctly in some versions, “but the person of integrity will live because of his faithfulness” (NET), “but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness” (NIV). The Hebrew noun ‘ĕmûnȃ appears about 50 … Continue reading “Examining Sola Fide”
Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot … Continue reading “Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing”
How to Know We Are God’s Child
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of … Continue reading “How to Know We Are God’s Child”
Change the Heart by Changing the Treasure
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be … Continue reading “Change the Heart by Changing the Treasure”
He that Hath an Ear, Let Him Hear
The Son of God was in complete unity with His Father as John recorded in his Gospel: “the Word was God” (1:1); “I and my Father are one” (10:30); “the Father is in me, and I in him” (10:38); “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father … I am in the Father, and … Continue reading “He that Hath an Ear, Let Him Hear”
Trinitarian Discipleship Programs
Christ’s great commission is to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” … Continue reading “Trinitarian Discipleship Programs”
The Fallacy of the Trinity
The Greek theos for “god” is simply a position of authority, not a kind or type of being. The Father is God, not because of what He is as a being but because of His status as the highest authority over all, including over His Son Jesus Christ. That theos is a position of authority … Continue reading “The Fallacy of the Trinity”
The God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ
What God and gospel do Trinitarian ministers preach? Is it the God that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself preached? Is it the gospel that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself preached? If it’s not, then what does that say about them? Jesus preached the truth, and anyone preaching different is wrong. Since no subjects are more … Continue reading “The God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ”
The Gospel of Christ
When Paul began his letter to the Romans, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” (1:16), he didn’t mean the gospel about Christ but the gospel Christ Himself preached as evident by how he ended his letter, “the preaching of Jesus Christ” (16:25). The true gospel message, the message that saves, is … Continue reading “The Gospel of Christ”
How to Perform that which is Good
There has been an ongoing debate whether Romans 7:7-25 is Paul’s former life under the law, or his present struggle as a Christian. It’s actually neither, but his former life without God’s breath in his heart because in the next chapter he used pneuma for “breath” 22 times! In chapter 7, he quoted the Tenth … Continue reading “How to Perform that which is Good”
Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Breath
In Romans chapter 8, Paul used “flesh” and “breath” for the two contrary ways of living, “walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit [Breath]” (8:1), “walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit [Breath]” (8:4). These are simply expressions he defined earlier in his letter, “For he is not a Jew, which … Continue reading “Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Breath”
This Gospel of the Kingdom
When asked by His disciples, “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Mat 24:3), Christ’s first response was “Take heed that no man deceive you” (v. 4). His coming and the end of the world would be preceded by … Continue reading “This Gospel of the Kingdom”
The Tri-Part Beast
“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy” (Rev 13:1). In this vision, John stood on the shoreline in Judea looking toward the west … Continue reading “The Tri-Part Beast”
The Least of These
Christ spoke of the sheep that will be on His right hand at the final judgment, “Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or … Continue reading “The Least of These”
Trust and Obey
Salvation has always been by trusting and obeying God. The Greek noun pistis and verb pisteuo appear some 250 times each in the New Testament but have been mistranslated as “faith” and “believe” respectively rather than “faithfulness” and “trust.” We’re not saved by believing some facts are true but by trusting and obeying the one … Continue reading “Trust and Obey”
Blessed are They that Do His Commandments
The Lord Jesus Christ said that He will decide who enters the Kingdom, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven … And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity [458 anomia]” (Mat 7:21, 23). The Greek … Continue reading “Blessed are They that Do His Commandments”
Faithfulness vs Actions (3 of 3)
The Roman Catholic Church imposed its false Trinitarian view of God upon the world by locking away the Scriptures and putting to death millions. With this false view of God and a false view of man as a spirit being that goes to heaven or hell after death, how could Martin Luther have attained the … Continue reading “Faithfulness vs Actions (3 of 3)”
The Actions of the Law (2 of 3)
The writer of Hebrews stated “not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works [actions], and of faith [faithfulness] toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms [washings], and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” (Heb 6:1-2). The Greek ergon translated typically as “works” simply means … Continue reading “The Actions of the Law (2 of 3)”
Jesus Christ’s Faithfulness (1 of 3)
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him” (Heb 3:1-2). This “heavenly calling” in Hebrews refers to the Son of God calling to Abraham out of heaven, “And the angel [messenger] of the LORD called unto … Continue reading “Jesus Christ’s Faithfulness (1 of 3)”
The Root Problem
Trinitarianism is a “Jesus” religion masquerading as Christianity by piggybacking on the Scriptures just like Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh-day Adventists. And by persistently renouncing all others as false, it bolsters the deception that it’s the one that’s actually true. But the God of Trinitarianism isn’t the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, “I ascend unto … Continue reading “The Root Problem”
I Will Be Their God
The question is sometimes asked about how people were saved before Christ came into this world and died on the cross. After all, if salvation is by faith in Christ or believing in Him, then how could anyone have had faith or believed? This dilemma is actually a big red flag that something is seriously … Continue reading “I Will Be Their God”
The Sower, the Seed, and the Soils
Christ’s very first parable was that of the Sower: “Behold, a sower went forth to sow” (Mat 13:3), “Behold, there went out a sower to sow” (Mar 4:3), “A sower went out to sow his seed” (Luk 8:5). He is the Sower in this parable and the seed is the message He preached: “Jesus began … Continue reading “The Sower, the Seed, and the Soils”
Harden Not Your Hearts
When Jude wrote “ye should earnestly contend for the faith [faithfulness] which was once delivered unto the saints” (v. 3), he was referring to God’s people in the Exodus, “the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed [trusted] not” (v. 5). God commanded faithfulness to Him, … Continue reading “Harden Not Your Hearts”
The Testing of Our Faithfulness
God proved, tested, or tried Abraham’s faithfulness, “And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt [nacah 5254] Abraham” (Gen 22:1). And He tested His people many times: “there he proved [nacah 5254] them” (Exo 15:25); “that I may prove [nacah 5254] them, whether they will walk in my law, or no” … Continue reading “The Testing of Our Faithfulness”
The True Gospel Message
Paul spoke of a mystery hidden since the beginning: “the revelation of the mystery [mysterion 3466], which was kept secret since the world began” (Rom 16:25); “a mystery [mysterion 3466], even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world” (1Co 2:7); “the mystery [mysterion 3466], which from the beginning of the world hath been … Continue reading “The True Gospel Message”
The Stone Laid in Zion
“For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people … But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and … Continue reading “The Stone Laid in Zion”
Salvation is of the Jews
Jesus told a Samaritan woman, “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews” (Jhn 4:22). The Jewish people know the God they worship because He revealed Himself to them and only to them. Therefore, only they had been given the hope of salvation and eternal life … Continue reading “Salvation is of the Jews”
Except We Become as Little Children
“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mat 18:3-4), “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein” … Continue reading “Except We Become as Little Children”
As the Serpent Beguiled Eve
“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit [breath], which ye have not received, or another … Continue reading “As the Serpent Beguiled Eve”
How to Know We Belong to God
In John chapters 14-16, Jesus taught about His coming advocacy at the Father’s right hand as the Holy Breath of God, and three times called God’s Breath “the Spirit [Breath] of truth” (Jhn 14:17,15:26,16:13). The only other time in the New Testament this phrase is ever repeated is in John’s first letter: “Ye are of … Continue reading “How to Know We Belong to God”
Listen to Jesus!
We’re now living in the time Paul said would come, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables [mythos 3454]” (2Ti … Continue reading “Listen to Jesus!”
Eternal Life is in the Name of the Son
John stated his purpose for writing his Gospel, “But these are written, that ye might believe [trust] that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing [trusting] ye might have life through his name” (Jhn 20:31). To have eternal life we must trust in the name of Jesus—that He is the Messiah, … Continue reading “Eternal Life is in the Name of the Son”
The Truth is in the Scriptures
Paul penned his last words to Timothy, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2Ti 3:15). Of course, Timothy only had the Old Testament growing up but Paul’s words apply to it all, including the … Continue reading “The Truth is in the Scriptures”
The Letter to the Elect Lady
“The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth” (2Jo 1:1). What was so special about this lady that one of the 66 books of the Scriptures was penned just to her? What was it about … Continue reading “The Letter to the Elect Lady”
The Sabbath was Made for Man
Many times Jesus Christ Himself “broke” the Sabbath day: “Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other” (Mat 12:12-13); “And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, … Continue reading “The Sabbath was Made for Man”
All Things Were Made by Him
“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made … He was in the world, and the world was made by him” (Jhn 1:3,10); “God, who created all things by Jesus Christ” (Eph 3:9); “For by him were all things created” (Col 1:16); “by whom also he … Continue reading “All Things Were Made by Him”
Before “the Casting Down”
“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light” (Gen 1:3). John and Paul both taught that Jesus Christ’s preaching was “Let there be light” of the truth into the darkness of deception, “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (Jhn 1:5), “For God, who commanded the light … Continue reading “Before “the Casting Down””
The Doctrine of Christ
The apostle John wrote, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2Jo 1:9). The Trinitarian view of God transgresses the doctrine of Christ—it’s not what He taught. And according to John, those that … Continue reading “The Doctrine of Christ”
What is the Holy Spirit?
The first mention of the Hebrew ruwach in Scripture, “And the Spirit [ruwach 7307] of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Gen 1:2), it’s “of God” as His possession. It wasn’t a separate person flying over the water like superman! It’s the breath of God as He was blowing from His mouth across … Continue reading “What is the Holy Spirit?”
Faithful unto Death
Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is committing ourselves to be faithful to Him unto death and possibly die for His name as He died for our sins: “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me” (Mat 10:38); “Know ye not, that so many of us … Continue reading “Faithful unto Death”
Close Enough Isn’t Good Enough
God sent His only begotten Son into this world to teach us about Him and to sacrifice Himself for our sins. Christ’s teaching about God and about Himself isn’t just close enough to the truth but is the truth. He pledged His name, His glory, and His life upon the truth He taught. And since … Continue reading “Close Enough Isn’t Good Enough”
Not Ashamed
When the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” (Rom 1:16), he clarified at the end, “my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ” (Rom 16:25). The true gospel message is what Jesus Christ Himself preached that Paul wasn’t ashamed to proclaim as his own gospel … Continue reading “Not Ashamed”
Like God or Coequal?
Trinitarianism asserts that the Son of God is coequal with His Father God and use these two statements as support: “making himself equal [isos 2470] with God” (Jhn 5:18); “thought it not robbery to be equal [isos 2470] with God” (Phl 2:6). The Greek adjective isos is where our English isosceles—a triangle with two equal … Continue reading “Like God or Coequal?”
