Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture

Tag: Romans 11:5

  • Don’t Miss the Chance

    Recently, my wife and I took a bus trip to Baguio City. It’s a good idea to buy your tickets in advance because the ticket counters at the station can get really crowded. A lot of people end up standing in line, hoping to get a ticket and board the bus. These people are betting on chance passengers.

    The apostle James says, “Your life is like a mist that vanishes quickly.” (Jas 4:14) Don’t take chances. Always bet on God’s word. Peter says, “As the Scriptures say, ‘People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.’ That word is the Good News you heard.” (1Pet 1:24-25, NLT)

    Matthew 9:9-13 tells us about the calling of Matthew, and cross-referencing it to Hosea 6:6 together with its biblical context, as quoted by Matthew (Matt 9:13).

    The Jewish people of the Old Covenant and cohabiting people like the Samaritans, who lived during Jesus’ time, eagerly awaited the arrival of the Christ (John 1:41; 4:25; Luke 2:9-11). However, many of them missed their chance due to their arrogance, not ignorance. Isaiah 10:20-23; 65:1-17 and Daniel 12:4,7-9 prophesied the complete end or the time of the end for Old Covenant Israel. Jesus spoke of the temple’s final destruction (Matthew 23:37-38; 24:2; Luke 21:20-22), fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy of the New heavenly Jerusalem (Zechariah 14), also described by John in Revelation 21-22. With the temple destroyed for the second and final time, the declaration in Hebrews 8:13, stating that the Old Covenant became obsolete, reached its climax. Old Covenant Israel relied on the Mosaic law rather than the grace offered through Christ Jesus, which caused them to miss their chance. (Galatians 3:10-11)

    Consequently, God through Jesus Christ came to call on the lost, so He replied to the self-righteous Pharisees, who refused to mingle with outcasts, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Matt 9:12). Of course, the context of Matthew 9:9-13 does not involve literally sickly people, but the outcasts and sinners.

    Let me clarify that God does not love sinners; instead, He detests them. Consequently, we witnessed God’s punishment and destruction of all humanity in the Genesis 6-9 account of Noah’s flood, leaving only eight individuals alive. Scripture explicitly states that this was because Noah found grace in God’s sight (Genesis 6:8). Yes, the translated word “favor” in that verse in most modern Bible translations originates from the Hebrew word “grace.” This was because God was fulfilling His covenant to restore His creation that had fallen in Adam through Jesus Christ (Hosea 1:10-11; Romans 9:25-26; 11:1-2, 26-29; 1 Corinthians 15:22).

    Matthew presents himself as the perfect example of the sick—spiritually, of course. He was a tax collector, which in the context of Old Covenant Israel made him a traitor, since he collected taxes from his own countrymen on behalf of their oppressor, Rome.

    Matthew identified those dining with Jesus as tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:10). These individuals weren’t known for their blatant sins; rather, they belonged to the lost tribes of Israel, specifically the ten tribes of the Northern kingdom. God had denounced these ten tribes in Hosea 6:6-10. Consequently, they were referred to as sinners in Matthew 9:10 and the lost sheep of the house of Israel in Matthew 10:6. Ephraim was a reference to Israel, the ten northern tribes.

    Like Adam, who was banished from the Garden of Eden for breaking God’s covenant—not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:15-16; Genesis 3)—Israel, particularly the ten tribes of the Northern kingdom, was lost. God through Hosea declared, “But like Adam, they (i.e. Israel) transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with Me.” (Hosea 6:7)

    Jesus came to restore both Israel and Judah to God, and this truth extends to all humanity. The Bible states, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1Co 15:22) Therefore, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is intended for everyone to hear and believe.

    From God’s perspective, being “lost” signifies death. Jesus illustrated this concept in his parable of the prodigal son. The father exclaimed, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” (Luke 15:24) Consequently, like Adam, Israel, or the ten northern tribes, they died covenantally or spiritually. As a result, anyone without Christ Jesus, the last Adam, would not possess eternal life, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:45.

    As evident in the opening chapter of Hosea, particularly Hosea 1:4-9, God’s judgment against Israel was consistently clear and reiterated throughout the book. However, in Hosea 2:14-23 and other passages like Hosea 6:1-2, God revealed His restoration through the resurrection of Christ on the third day. Can you comprehend the logical progression from death to resurrection? Adam’s death, which affected all humanity, was spiritual in nature, so the remedy is also spiritual, not physical. Jesus articulated this truth in John 2:18-22 and Matthew 16:18, and Paul reaffirmed it in Ephesians 1:20-23. Paul explained that this restoration would occur through the church, which is a spiritual awakening or renewal of people, just as Jesus had declared to the apostles in Matthew 16:17-18. Furthermore, 1 Peter 2:9-10 indicated that this restoration was already underway. (Incidentally, the correct translation for Matthew 16:18 should be “the gates of Hades,” referring to the place of death, rather than “hell.”)

    In Hosea chapters 3 to 5, God revealed that Israel would continue to disobey Him. However, by His grace, God would call a remnant from Israel to salvation (Hosea 1:10-11; Romans 9-11), which Paul announced was already at work (Romans 9:1-8; 11:1-6, 25-27). Jesus Christ and His Gospel would be the instruments of God’s call (Romans 10:12-17).

    As evident in the Gospel of Matthew, the dominant religious authorities—the Sanhedrin—comprising Sadducees and Pharisees—were mostly self-righteous and adhered to beliefs inconsistent with the Bible. Jesus Christ was primarily rejected because He taught according to the Word of God, not human traditions (Mark 7:1-7). Jesus addressed the unbelieving Jews, stating, “I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you seek to kill Me because My word has no place in you.” (John 8:37)

    Christ’s Gospel and teachings were new to the people, causing resistance from the crowd. Consequently, Jesus stressed the significance of entering through the narrow gate, which leads to life, while the wide gate leads to destruction. He explained that the narrow gate is challenging to find and few enter, whereas many pass through the easy, wide gate (Matthew 7:13-14). Here, Jesus was comparing His teachings, which are the narrow gate, to the contemporary teachings of that era—the wide gate. Similarly, during the Reformation era initiated by Martin Luther, he was among a select few who believed and taught correctly from Scripture that salvation is achieved by grace, through faith, not of works. He emphasized that the righteous shall live by faith (Romans 1:16-17).

    The same can be said today. Throughout the millennia, modern Christianity has embraced many teachings and beliefs that are not in accordance with the Bible. Hence, sound doctrine would be heard and believed by a minority; most would suspect it’s a heresy. As the saying goes, “Repeat a lie often, and it becomes the truth”. This was because modern Christianity has focused on the writings of the so-called “early church fathers,” particularly those from one or two centuries after the last apostle of Jesus Christ. Moreover, during the reign of Emperor Constantine, this trend worsened. The Reformation occurred during the 16th century, and yet, it also produced its own flaws. The Bible’s teaching wasn’t fully restored.

    Many claim faith in Jesus but then revert to old routines, with little real change. They attend churches or online services but struggle to distinguish biblical passages or interpret them correctly. They rarely join Bible study groups. This indifference damages faith and stems mostly from discrepancies between church teachings and Scripture.

    The Bible can be confusing. Many say, “I cannot understand Scripture,” and pastors’ explanations differ. These are common feelings among believers. Some, frustrated, become indifferent.

    Matthew’s and the rest of the Gospels were written precisely because of distortions to the Gospel. Paul wrote Galatians before any of the gospels were written, and he states, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him (i.e. God) who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” (Gal 1:6-7)

    Both Matthew and Mark were written around the same time as Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. In 2 Corinthians 11:3, Paul addresses the same issue he had mentioned in Galatians. He warns that, just as the serpent deceived Eve with his cunning, their thoughts could be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. Then Paul went on to rebuke them, saying, “For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” (2 Corinthians 11:4)

    Paul, in his letter to the Corinthian church, was battling heresy. False teachings can be detrimental to one’s salvation. See Paul’s words to Timothy: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1Ti 4:16). Hence, Paul told Christians in Corinth: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals’” (1Co 15:33).

    We have seen in history how Christianity has been waged through swords. Examples would be the time of the Christian Crusaders. Today, it’s being done in the West, favoring Israel over any of its enemies. This was mainly due to the beliefs and teachings of Christian Zionism and Dispensationalism. The latter is the prevailing belief and teaching of most churches today. It is erroneous and inaccurate. Paul declared in Galatians, “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:29). Old Covenant Israel missed its chance. Only a remnant of them were saved. They bet on the wrong ticket, the ride came, and they missed it. Jesus is the only ticket to salvation.

    Though Israel ceased to be the chosen people of God (Matt 21:33-45), God’s wrath against the generation that crucified Jesus Christ had already been fulfilled; the temple destroyed (Matt 23:32-38). Nevertheless, the Bible declares, “For God’s anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime” (Psalm 30:4-5). God’s word is always true. His anger and vengeance against Old Covenant Israel were fulfilled with the second and final destruction of the Jewish Temple. However, God’s grace is eternal, so there remains hope for modern-day Israel. Like everyone else, they must hear and believe the Gospel of Christ Jesus (Rev 14:6).

    The Bible alone is infallible, while everything else can be erroneous and proven inaccurate when examined in light of the Scriptures. (WCF 1.4; 31.4)

    Matthew’s Gospel leads us to Christ Jesus. He quoted Old Testament Scriptures to confirm that Jesus is indeed the Christ. We have four Gospels in our Bible and numerous letters from the apostles of Jesus Christ. Why rely on uninspired secondhand sources instead of the Word of God? Let’s seize the opportunity to become Christ’s disciples, learning and teaching solely from His Word (John 8:31-32). Paul exemplified this principle, stating, “Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, ‘Do not go beyond what is written.’ Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.’” (1 Corinthians 4:6, NIV)

    Christ Jesus came and inaugurated the New Creation. Paul states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Hebrews declared that the Old Covenant became obsolete (Hebrews 8:13). Jesus Christ ushered in the age of grace, with the Gospel at its core. People must hear and believe the Gospel. It is an eternal gospel (Revelation 14:6); therefore, it is everlasting, contrary to the claims of many.

    Most of the religious leaders during the time of Jesus, Paul, and the rest of the apostles insisted on their prevailing beliefs, and they missed their chance. As the saying goes, “If we have not learned from history, then we are bound to repeat its mistakes.” Missing our chance is a crucial mistake. It will cost us eternity like anyone else who rejected, mingled, muddled, and watered down God’s Word.

    Matthew and the rest of the apostles, except for Judas, adhered to God’s word. Comparing Scriptures with Scriptures, they were saved by grace. Let’s not miss the chance and learn from the Bible.

    So, who are you? Are you a Pharisee or an outcast, like Matthew? Christ Jesus doesn’t care about our past. The Gospel call is for everyone, but only those who recognize Christ and His Gospel would benefit from the message. That’s the lesson in Matthew 9:9-13. However, after we’ve trusted Jesus Christ, we should be different from our past lives. Paul said, “Follow me, as I follow Christ (1 Co 11:1).” Therefore, follow pastors or teachers of the Bible only if they are truly following Jesus Christ. Be a Berean, as the Bible states, “They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” (Acts 17:11) Don’t be content with listening; study the Bible on your own and ask questions if needed. Then compare the answers with the Word of God and verify if they’re consistent with the Scriptures.

    We have only one chance in our lifetime to bet on Christ Jesus. Don’t miss this chance.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • Does God elect people to salvation?

    I recall feeling unsettled after attending the seminary for just a few days. I struggled with comprehending the concept of election, which teaches that God chooses individuals for salvation. Seeking clarification, I reached out to my pastor, who affirmed that the idea of election is indeed present in the Bible. However, I still harbored reservations about it. It wasn’t until I delved deeply into the New Testament on my own that I realized how pervasive the theme of election is throughout the Bible. Ultimately, I embraced election as a doctrine, but even after becoming a pastor, I remained cautious about it.

    The concept of God’s election is evident in various biblical passages. For instance, in the Gospel of John, God is described as the one who chooses individuals. Jesus states, “Unless the Father draws someone, no one can come to Him.” Similar themes can be found in Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians, Romans, 2 Timothy, Titus, 1 Peter, and 2 John. While these passages were certainly accurate during the time of the apostles, their relevance may not be universally applicable in today’s context. In this blog, I aim to explore this topic further and highlight aspects that have often been overlooked.

    Christians should not be confused by those who emphasize the doctrine of election in relation to salvation today. The teachings on election found in the Bible are specific to the context of Old Covenant Israel and are not directly applicable to us. For instance, if you read Paul’s letter to the Romans with proper attention to its context and timeline, you will clearly understand this. See Romans 9:6-11.

    “But it’s not as though the word of God has failed. Not all descendants of Israel are part of Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring. Instead, the promise states, ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ This means that it’s not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but the children of the promise are considered God’s offspring. This is what the promise said: ‘About this time next year, I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.’ Moreover, even when Rebekah conceived children through Isaac, who was not yet born and had done nothing good or bad, God’s purpose of election was maintained. It wasn’t because of their works, but because of God’s call. Paul here spoke of two distinct children of God: those born of the flesh and those born of the promise, with election applied to the latter.”

    Paul explains a similar concept in Galatians 4:21-28, using Sarah and Hagar as symbols of two distinct covenants. Hagar represents the earthly Jerusalem during Paul’s time, while Sarah symbolizes the New Jerusalem, which is heavenly. Paul, speaking to the church, made clear that they are the children of the promise; see Galatians 4:28, “Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.” I highly recommend reading the entire passage from Galatians 4:21 to 5:6. The heavenly Jerusalem is also referred to as the New Heaven and New Earth; click and see Revelation 21:1-2.

    In Romans 11:28, Paul addresses the misunderstanding about Old Covenant Israel, stating, “Regarding the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But regarding election, they are beloved because of their forefathers.” A key issue we encounter is the tendency to overlook timestamps in Scripture. In this context, Paul clarifies, “So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace” (Rom 11:5). He explicitly uses the phrase “at the present time,” referring to the era of the Apostle Paul, not our own.

    Consequently, Paul, by election, was referring to the remnants of Old Covenant Israel. Consider again these two passages: first, Paul stated, “And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: ‘Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved,’” (Romans 9:27); second, “So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.” (Romans 11:5)

    Why only a remnant of Israel? Because that was the promised of God in the OT Scripture. Here are a couple of Old Testament prophecies about God recovering a remnant of Israel: “In that day the Lord will extend His hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of His people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea.” (Isaiah 11:11)

    Again, God said, “In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean on him who struck them, but will lean on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. For though your people Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. Destruction is decreed, overflowing with righteousness. For the Lord GOD of hosts will make a full end, as decreed, in the midst of all the earth.” (Isa 10:20-23)

    Jesus Christ, on His Sermon on the Mount said, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Mat 7:13-14)

    The elect were those who discovered the narrow path—the way to salvation. Scripture proclaims, “Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life,” and He alone is the path to the Father (John 14:6). In a particular parable of Christ, Jesus teaches that they were those who had heard the word and understood (Matthew 13:23).

    Therefore, don’t worry about whether you’ve been elected or not. Instead, focus on whether you’ve truly surrendered to Jesus Christ and honored His Word. 

    God has only one means in His call for salvation, as evident in Romans 10:12-17.

    “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on Him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing Through the word of Christ.”

    When Christ Jesus called upon people to follow Him, He unveiled the truth about Himself and His mission, which is the Gospel. 

    At Pentecost, Peter preached the Gospel of Christ, inviting people to believe in Jesus. 

    Stop changing God’s methods for calling people to salvation. The Gospel is the only path to salvation. God doesn’t select individuals through some mysterious means; instead, He uses the preaching of the Gospel. For more information, refer to the following Scriptures: Romans 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 1:17-18; 1 Corinthians 4:15; 2 Corinthians 4:3-7; Galatians 1:6-7; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 3:6-7; Colossians 1:4-6; 2 Timothy 1:8-9; and 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5, where Paul clearly states, “For we know, dear brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you because our Gospel came to you not only in word but also in power and the Holy Spirit, with full conviction. You know the kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”

    “Chosen” here is actually the same Greek word for “election,” G1589. Therefore, Paul clearly teaches that election is not a mystery as some believe, but rather, people are elected to salvation by responding to the Gospel message.

    The 16th-century doctrine of election contradicts the teachings of the Bible. If we adhere to it, aren’t we being self-righteous and claiming salvation while putting others in doubt? Self-righteousness is not commended in Scripture. It is precisely because of self-righteousness that the Old Covenant Israel missed out on their opportunity for salvation, as evident in Romans 10:1-4.

    Paul declared: “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

    Let’s be straightforward. In the 16th century, Christians were engaged in a struggle against the heresy of Roman Catholicism, presenting counterarguments to its flaws. Unfortunately, in their efforts, they inadvertently introduced teachings that are not found in Scripture. Moreover, we are certain that only the Bible is inspired. Therefore, it would be more advantageous to study the Bible directly rather than relying on the writings of reformers, who are undoubtedly not infallible.

    Here are the declarations from their own creeds and confessions:

    WCF 1:4, The authority of the holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the Author thereof; and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.

    WCF 1:9, The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture, is the Scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it may be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.

    WCF 1:10, The Supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture.

    WCF 31:3, All synods or councils since the apostles’ times, whether general or particular, may err, and many have erred; therefore they are not to be made the rule of faith or practice, but to be used as a help in both.

    Defending the inerrancy of the Bible should not be seen as arrogance, even though some may view it that way. However, it is important to be cautious when defending Reformed doctrine to ensure that you do not misrepresent or alter God’s Word. Anyone who prioritizes human teachings over divine Scripture cannot be considered a true disciple of Christ Jesus.

    In conclusion, we can only assert that we were called by God through His Gospel. Regarding the concept of election in the Bible, it is evident that the remnant of Israel was the elect. Therefore, I pose a question to anyone who continues to hold this doctrine today: “From whom did God elect you to be His remnant?”

    Election and calling are two distinct terms in the Bible. Paul attributed election specifically to Old Covenant Jews, while calling applies to both Jews and Gentiles, as illustrated in 1 Corinthians 1:24.

    Now, in line with our discussion, I would like to point out some fundamental flaws within our current church. The primary responsibility of Christian ministers is to make the Bible clear and understandable to everyone. During our seminary training, we received comprehensive education in hermeneutics and other subjects that equipped us with the knowledge necessary for proper Bible exegesis. So, why do some individuals complicate what should be a straightforward explanation? I can only speculate that it might be because they haven’t been diligently studying the Bible, delving into its intricate nuances, customs, and metaphors. Perhaps they have been content to focus on human writings, whether from the 16th century or modern times.

    Paul gave two key instructions to Timothy, ministers of the word like us today:

    First, “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)

    People could be saved or lost by what we teach. Always teach the right doctrine and live accordingly.

    Second, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

    We can only be approved by God if we have handled His word rightly. Therefore, it is our duty to study before we preach or teach. First, we should understand the word before we talk. Here’s the irony today: Churches have been inviting outside speakers, some without the approval of their pastors. They do this because they are pleased with or know the speaker. They don’t understand that such behavior has been condemned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, calling the church worldly. We all know that worldliness has no place in God’s church.

    Pastors are supposed to be guardians of God’s flock, but unfortunately, not everyone truly understands the Bible even after graduating. On the other hand, we have leaders who, perhaps with good intentions, but lack the necessary biblical knowledge. Consequently, they rule based on their own understanding, similar to how CEOs make decisions. This is partly due to the fact that we no longer adhere to the qualifications for elders and deacons outlined by Paul. This dilemma is prevalent in most churches today. However, which group falls short first—pastors, unqualified elders, or deacons? This is another classic chicken-and-egg scenario.

    Many Christians, frustrated by the state of the church, choose to split off and start anew. It’s true that building from scratch is easier than renovating old, damaged structures. However, starting anew without proper guidance and a clear understanding of the Bible ultimately leads you back to where you began. You intended to make a complete 180-degree change, but it’s just a 360-degree turn. Regrettably, people realize they’ve returned to their starting point late in the journey.

    Learn from the Bible. It doesn’t necessarily have to be about numbers; it’s about the quality of people you have around you. Recognize each person’s gifts and guide them to fulfill their roles. Let everyone know that there’s no hierarchy in the church, except for Christ Jesus and His Word. Everyone is important for the well-being of God’s church.

    We may not realize its true potential until years later, or even after we’re gone. However, just as we guided our children with God’s Word and demonstrated what it means to live by faith and His Word, they would continue to follow the same path even after we’re gone. Just as we witness with Christ Jesus and His apostles, Paul with his disciples—Timothy, Titus, Luke, and many others—so on and so forth. Remember that the church is Christ’s body, not anyone’s possession, but Christ Jesus Himself.

    Stop dwelling on your mistakes. If necessary, start anew. However, begin with a strong foundation, which is the Word of God.

    Scripture teaching about the church said, “For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)

    Note: Click on underlines and highlights for definitions or Bible references.

    Peter , in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!