The Church

By
{THE NEW PEOPLE OF GOD}
[Click on the title to open an article]

{IDENTITY AND MISSION}
  1. The Mission of the Church - {PDF Copy} - (The Church is commissioned by Jesus to proclaim his gospel to ALL nations until the end of the age)
  2. The Reign and Priesthood of the Saints - {PDF Copy} - (The saints reign with Jesus in the present age as a “Kingdom of Priests”)
  3. The Apostle Paul and governing authorities - {PDF Copy} - (To rebel against even pagan or tyrannical governments is to rebel against God's "arrangement")
    4.
  4. The Apocalyptic People of God - (The People of God in the Book of Revelation is comprised of men and women of every nation redeemed by the Lamb) - {PDF Copy}
  5. The Key Sign of the End of the Age - {PDF Copy} - (Matthew 24:14 - The "End" will not come until the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed to all nations)
    6.
  6. Kingdom of God or Christendom? - {PDF Copy} - (The Church and the Gospel of Jesus belong to no nation or culture of this present age)
  7. Jesus Refused Political Power - (He rejected Satan's offer of political power and chose, instead, the way of the Suffering Servant) - {PDF Copy}
  8. The Controversy at Galatia - An Overview - {PDF Copy} - (The key dispute at Galatia was whether Gentile converts must be circumcised and keep some, at least, of the required deeds of the Torah)
    9.
  9. Social Implications of the Torah - {PDF Copy} - (Galatians 3:26 - In Christ, no longer can there be Jew or Gentile; To live under the law means social divisions in the church)
    10.
  10. Neither Jew nor Greek - {PDF Copy} - (With the arrival of the "seed" of Abraham, Jesus Christ, the old divisions between Jew and Gentile are wholly inappropriate)
  11. The True Seed of Abraham - Faith, not D.N.A. - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus is the true "seed" of Abraham and heir of the covenant promises)
{PERSECUTION AND SUFFERING}
  1. The Church and Tribulation - {PDF Copy} - (In the book of Revelation, faithful saints experience “tribulation,” whereas, the unrepentant undergo “wrath”)
  2. Appointed to Tribulation - {PDF Copy} - (1 Thessalonians 3:1-4 - Disciples of Jesus escape “wrath” but endure “tribulation” - To which they have been “appointed”)
  3. Persecution, Christian "Rights," and the Cross - {PDF Copy} - (Matthew 5:10-12 - The proper Christian understanding of and reaction to persecution and criticism)
  4. The Christian Response to Persecution - {PDF Copy} - (How are disciples of Jesus to respond to hostility, accusations, and persecution?)
  5. Persecution, Suffering, and Discipleship - {PDF Copy} - (New Testament teachings about Christian reactions to persecution are contrary to the "wisdom" of this age)
{TO FOLLOW THE LAMB}
  1. A Sobering Conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount - {PDF Copy} - (Matthew 7:21-28 - Disciples who refuse to follow the teachings of Jesus may be excluded from the Kingdom)
  2. To Follow Jesus - {PDF Copy} - (To follow Jesus “wherever he goes” means a life of self-denial and sacrificial service for others – Matthew 20:20-28)
  3. Greatness in the Kingdom of God - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 10:35-45 - A disciple becomes "great" in the Kingdom by becoming the servant and slave of all)
  4. Jesus Refused Political Power - (He rejected Satan's offer of political power and chose, instead, the way of the Suffering Servant) - {PDF Copy}
  5. Signs and Wonders or Christ Crucified? - {PDF Copy} - (Claims that the Church will reap a great harvest of souls through displays of mighty "signs and wonders" do not square with Scripture)
  6. Faithful and Unfaithful Disciples - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 9:41-50 - Whatever anyone does to a disciple of Jesus, whether for good or evil, is the same as doing it to Jesus)
  7. The Apostle Paul and governing authorities - {PDF Copy} - (To rebel against even pagan or tyrannical governments is to rebel against God's "arrangement")
  8. Let this mind be in you - {PDF Copy} - (Paul summons believers to emulate the self-sacrificial obedience of Jesus in their service to one another)
  9. Perfect as the Heavenly Father - {PDF Copy} - (Mercy and love are the defining characteristics of the disciple of Jesus and the nature of God)
  10. Discipleship is service to the insignificant - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 9:33-37 - Despite the words of Jesus about suffering on behalf of others, the disciples continued to measure “greatness” by grandness, grandeur, and power over others)
  11. The Meaning of Discipleship - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 9:30-37 - To the Messiah or his disciple means self-sacrificial service on behalf of the insignificant)
  12. The Cost of being a disciple of Jesus - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 6:7-30 - To emulate Jesus and proclaim his message is to give offense)
Dark Path Photo by Peter Hall on Unsplash
Dark Path Photo by Peter Hall on Unsplash


Popular Posts

Ruler of the Kings of the Earth

By
Image
SYNOPSIS  -  Revelation declares Jesus the present “ruler of the kings of the earth” in fulfillment of the promise of a Davidic King  –  Revelation 1:4-6 .  Despite later appearances, at the very start of the  book of Revelation  Jesus is declared the “ ruler over the kings of the earth ” – In the book, even his enemies are unable to move against him without his knowledge and consent. His exaltation is based on his past sacrificial Death and Resurrection – An accomplished fact –  NOT  on hereditary rights or military might.
Read more

Blessing to the Nations

By
Image
SYNOPSIS  - Jesus is the promised “seed” of Abraham in whom all the nations of the earth are blessed, just as promised in the covenant with Abraham .  Basic to the redemption of humanity and the creation is the covenant of God with Abraham and his “ seed .” This included the promise that “ all the nations the earth would be blessed in him ” and Abraham would have innumerable descendants. How will the nations be blessed “ in Abraham ”? When will this “ blessing ” occur?
Read more