A desperate father, Jairus, begs Jesus to heal his dying daughter, while a woman with a 12-year hemorrhage touches Jesus' garment and is instantly healed. Jesus raises the girl from the dead, demonstrating his power and compassion, and teaching us that he is never too busy to respond to those in need. [... more]

When we evaluate our own goodness, we often rely on a distorted definition of moral goodness, comparing ourselves to others rather than to the character of God. Jesus teaches that only God is good, and our attempts to keep the law are insufficient for inheriting eternal life. The rich young ruler's encounter with Jesus reveals the importance of relying on grace and the righteousness of Christ, rather than our own merits. [... more]

Paul's letter to the Thessalonians addresses the issue of the second coming of Christ and the end times, warning against false teachers and a great end-time apostasy that will occur in the visible church, and encouraging believers to focus on the hope of the gospel and the victorious second coming of Christ. [... more]

Jesus teaches that true freedom comes from abiding in his word and being set free from the slavery of sin. He explains that those who are not of God cannot hear his word and are slaves to their own wicked desires, but those who are of God can hear and respond to his truth. [... more]

The debate between Martin Luther and Erasmus on the concept of free will and its relationship to salvation is a matter of critical importance in the Christian faith. Luther argues that our salvation is the work of God, while Erasmus believes that it is something that can be accomplished by our own efforts. The discussion touches on the doctrine of election, predestination, and the sovereignty of divine grace. [... more]

Paul prays for believers to be made worthy of God's calling by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, bringing their spiritual maturity to completion and glorifying the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. [... more]

The Bible teaches that God's people will be vindicated and experience rest in the kingdom of God, free from injustice and persecution, when Jesus returns as the just judge, bringing retributive justice to those who persecute his people and relief to those who are afflicted. [... more]

Jesus declares his witness to be true, despite the Pharisees' accusations of false witness. He appeals to his heavenly Father's authority and the writings of the Old Testament to validate his claims. The concept of witness and testimony is explored, highlighting the importance of faith and redemption in understanding Jesus' message. [... more]

The Protestant Reformation emphasized the importance of giving God alone the glory in salvation and worship. This concept, known as Sola Deo Gloria, is rooted in the Bible and is essential to understanding the Christian faith. It highlights the need to avoid idolatry and to recognize God's sovereignty and attributes, such as holiness and justice. [... more]

Paul comforts suffering Christians by confirming their adoption into God's family, giving thanks to God for their increasing faith and love, and boasting about their steadfastness in the midst of persecution. He grounds this comfort in the hope of the gospel, the glorious second coming of Jesus, which is the bedrock truth that provides true and lasting comfort when everything else in life fails. [... more]

The power of the gospel of Christ comes through the Word of God, which is alive and powerful, and sharper than a sword. Preaching and teaching the Word of God is essential for a spiritual awakening and the reformation of souls, as demonstrated in the story of Jonah and the people of Nineveh who believed in God after hearing the warning of Jonah's God. [... more]

The hope of the gospel is centered around the glorious second coming of Jesus, which brings comfort to persecuted Christians, calms alarmed believers, and encourages faithful Christians to live lives of godliness. Paul's letter to the Thessalonians teaches us about the power of God's gospel for salvation, the impact of the gospel on our lives, and the glory of God that will be consummated at Jesus' second coming. [... more]

Jesus is confronted with a woman caught in adultery, brought before him by the Pharisees and scribes to test his views on capital punishment. Instead of condemning her, Jesus challenges her accusers, pointing out their own sin and hypocrisy, and ultimately offers her forgiveness and redemption. [... more]

The doctrine of Sola Scriptura, a central tenet of the Protestant Reformation, holds that Scripture alone is the final authority for the Christian conscience. This principle was championed by Martin Luther and other Reformers, who argued that Scripture must be interpreted by Scripture itself, rather than by tradition or the authority of the church. [... more]

The existence of God is a question that has been debated for centuries, with various arguments for and against its existence. One approach to proving the existence of God is through the classical method, which involves establishing a sufficient reason to explain reality as we encounter it. This method involves looking at four possible explanations for reality: that our experience of reality is an illusion, that reality is self-created, that reality is self-existent, and that reality is created by something that is self-existent. The classical approach aims to provide a rational proof for the existence of a self-existent eternal being, rather than just evidence or persuasion. [... more]

The case for God's existence is a central theme in apologetics, with various approaches, including classical and presuppositional methods. Classical apologetics aims to prove God's existence through rational arguments, while presuppositional apologetics starts with the assumption of God's existence. The debate between these two approaches highlights the importance of establishing God's existence in the process of knowing. [... more]

Immanuel Kant's critique of traditional arguments for the existence of God challenged the notion that reason can prove God's existence, leading to a crisis in the Christian Church and a shift towards fideism. However, Christian philosophers and theologians have sought to reconstruct natural theology to answer Kant's objections, citing the Apostle Paul's declaration that the invisible things of God are known through the things that are made. [... more]

The early church had to deal with the heresy of Gnosticism, which rejected the physical world and saw matter as inherently evil. Gnostics believed in a cosmology where God emanated from a higher spiritual realm, and the material world was a result of an intermediate creator. They also believed in a dualistic view of reality, separating spirit and matter. The Gnostics' view of Jesus was as a spiritual being who appeared in human form, but not as a physical person. This view was rejected by the early church, which saw it as fundamentally anti-Christian. [... more]

The doctrine of election anchors our assurance of salvation in God's sovereign grace, and understanding the false teaching of Gnosticism is crucial for Christians today. Gnosticism involves a religion of redemption through gnosis or elite knowledge, rather than faith, and its influence can be seen in modern forms of eclecticism and syncretism. The church must be aware of the basic strains of historic Gnosticism and stay tied to the written word of God to avoid being carried away by feelings or so-called secret knowledge. [... more]

The Bible teaches that salvation is not achieved through outward signs such as baptism or circumcision, but rather through a genuine inward transformation. Christians must be careful not to pretend to be more righteous than they actually are, as this can lead to hypocrisy and damage the reputation of Christianity. The law of God is meant to reveal our sin and our need for a Savior, and it is only through the gospel that we can be saved. [... more]

The doctrine of salvation by grace rests on the principle that the law of God has been fulfilled by Christ. The covenant of works is fulfilled by Christ's passive obedience, and his active obedience secures our redemption. The mediatorship of Christ is essential for our justification, and it is through his obedience that we are reconciled to God. [... more]

Regeneration is the work of the Holy Spirit that changes the inclination of the soul, kindling the love of God and giving us the earnest or guarantee of full and final payment of our salvation. This is the basis of our assurance, and it's confirmed by the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit through the word of God. [... more]

Understanding the proper biblical doctrine of election and salvation is crucial for gaining true assurance of one's salvation. Dr. R.C. Sproll examines the relationship between election and assurance, highlighting the importance of theology and the role of the Holy Spirit in regeneration and salvation. [... more]

The Reformation's third pillar, Sola Gratia, emphasizes that salvation is by grace alone, not through human cooperation or works. This concept is rooted in the Bible's teaching that God's grace is a person, Jesus Christ, who redeems us from our sins. The Reformers rejected the medieval view of salvation as a combination of God's grace and human effort, instead affirming that God's demerited favor is the sole cause of our salvation. This understanding of grace is seen in the lives of biblical figures such as Abraham and Adam, who received God's unilateral covenant promise despite their sinfulness. Ultimately, the purpose of God's grace is to bring glory to Himself, as He saves sinners through Jesus Christ and attributes all glory to Him alone. [... more]

The doctrine of election anchors our assurance of salvation in God's sovereign grace, but false assurance can arise from universalism, works righteousness, sacerdotalism, and other counterfeit methods. Understanding the proper biblical doctrine of election and salvation is essential for gaining true assurance. [... more]

Jesus' words in the Gospel of John and the Sermon on the Mount emphasize the importance of enduring persecution and standing for righteousness' sake. The reward for doing so is a heavenly kingdom, and Jesus' example of enduring hostility and shame on the cross is a model for believers to follow. The church has a long history of persecution, but with courage and faith, believers can overcome their fears and remain steadfast in their devotion to Christ. [... more]

The early Christian church grew strong despite facing intense persecution, with the blood of martyrs becoming the seed of the church. Jesus taught that persecution is a natural consequence of following him, and that those who are persecuted for his name's sake will be hated by the world. Throughout history, the church has faced numerous persecutions, from the Roman Empire to modern-day Muslim countries, but has continued to thrive and spread the gospel. [... more]

God's judgment is according to truth, and those who practice evil will be condemned. Hypocrisy is a threat to anyone who dares to stand in a pulpit and correct sinners when every preacher is himself a sinner. The goodness of God leads to repentance, but those who despise his goodness will be judged according to their deeds. Every single sin we ever commit is exposed to God's perfect judgment, and we will be judged according to our works, both good and bad. [... more]

The doctrine of sola gratia, or grace alone, is central to the Protestant Reformation, emphasizing that salvation is solely the work of God's grace in the soul. This concept is rooted in the teachings of Augustine, who argued that humanity's fallen nature renders us morally impotent, unable to choose the things of God without divine intervention. In contrast, semi-Pelagianism posits that human beings have the power to choose God, albeit with the assistance of God's grace. The Reformation's emphasis on sola gratia highlights the importance of divine initiative in salvation, underscoring that our salvation is not based on our own efforts or decisions, but rather on God's sovereign grace. [... more]

Marriage is a gift from God, but not about us, it's about Him. A happy marriage is rooted in the gospel and is a reflection of God's creation design. It's not just about happiness, but about sanctification, worship, and glorifying God. Marriage has various purposes, including childbearing and child rearing, but also includes suffering and redemption. Couples who have experienced infertility can find joy and purpose in their marriage despite their struggles. [... more]

The gospel must begin with bad news, specifically the declaration of independence from God, which leads to judicial abandonment and the manifestation of sinful passions in concrete human behavior, resulting in a debased mind and a life filled with unrighteousness. [... more]

The doctrine of justification is central to the Christian faith, with the Roman Catholic Church teaching that faith, grace, and Christ are necessary for salvation, while the Protestant Reformation emphasizes faith alone, the imputation of the righteousness of Christ, and the gospel as the grounds for justification. [... more]

The nature of a true church is discussed, with emphasis on the marks of a valid church, including the faithful preaching of the gospel, the administration of sacraments, and authentic discipline. The importance of discerning between a true and false church is highlighted, and guidance is provided on when to leave a church, including situations where the church is corrupt, apostate, or failing to discipline its members. [... more]

Historically, being an evangelical meant adhering to a particular confession, but today it's often defined by methodology rather than theology. The unity of the invisible church remains, but the visible church has become fragmented, with many churches prioritizing peace and unity over purity of doctrine. [... more]

Historic Christianity has always struggled with heresy and the impact of liberalism on the church, leading to division and the need for unity and purity in doctrine and practice. [... more]

The church's unity is rooted in a unified confession of faith in the person and work of Christ, and its content is something believers agree with. Historically, the church has been defined by its confessional basis, but in recent times, there has been a trend to broaden the confessional basis to accommodate diverse views, leading to a loss of confessional purity and a fragmented church. [... more]

The Christian church's role in preserving Western culture from corruption is discussed, with Jesus' teachings on being the salt of the earth and the light of the world serving as a reminder of the church's responsibility to influence the world for good. The importance of living out one's faith in a way that brings light and hope to a dark world is emphasized, and the need for Christians to be bold in their witness and not hide their light under a basket. [... more]

A story about a knight named Sir Charles who embarks on a perilous journey to find the pearl of great price, symbolizing the Christian's quest to find the greatest treasure in life, which is the Bible and the knowledge of God's love and guidance. [... more]

The Roman Catholic Church's view of sacraments as instrumental causes of justification is contrasted with Protestantism's emphasis on faith alone. The sacraments of baptism, confirmation, matrimony, and holy orders are discussed, highlighting the differences between the two traditions. [... more]

The relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and salvation is a complex issue, with the church's doctrine of salvation by means of the sacraments being a central point of contention. Historically, the church's teaching on salvation has evolved, with figures like Augustine and Cyprian contributing to the development of the church's understanding of salvation and its relationship to the visible church. The Donatist controversy and the Reformation played significant roles in shaping the church's doctrine of salvation, with the Reformers relying solely on Scripture for salvation. [... more]