What does baptize literally mean? Can infants be baptized, biblically speaking? What about adults being baptized twice? Questions like these are answered point by point.
Basics about Water Baptism
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Category Archives: Church Matters
The Lord’s Supper in Synoptic Gospels + Church Traditions
We cannot answer all the questions in this overview, but we can exegete the Lord’s Supper in its original context in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This post also looks very briefly at 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 and 11:23-34. Then, what do various churches teach about the Lord’s Supper (or Communion or Eucharist)? I am here to learn. I updated this post with information that startled me. I also learned something new from Exod. 12:14.
Does Hebrews 7:1-10 Teach Church Policy of Tithing?
An old fashioned Bible study is offered here, countering a desperate misinterpretation from mega-church guys and TV ministries.
Why Tithing Does Not Apply to New Covenant Believers
God’s New Covenant plan is much better than an obsolete, national, theocratic tax designed to support an obsolete, national, religious system. God has a better way for the New Covenant church.
Yes, Junia Really Was a Female Apostle: A Close Look at Roman 16:7
The only reason this verse has become controversial and complicated is because Complementarians (those who restrict women from full participation in ministry) have made it controversial and complicated. But Rom. 16:7 is straightforward and clear and easily translated. (I updated this post.)
Questions and Answers about Spirit-Inspired Languages
These are more commonly known as ‘tongues.’ Here some of the biblical basics.
What 1 Corinthians 14 Really Teaches
An old-fashioned Bible study here. There is a lot of confusion in certain quarters of the global Renewal Movement about what revivals involve. How can we clear up the confusion? What did Paul really teach in 1 Corinthians 14? Are we willing to obey his teaching or just run roughshod over it?
How to Forgive Adultery and Fornication
Sometimes the church can be self-righteous and condemn a sinner in the name of holiness, ignoring mercy. Or it can be permissive in the name of mercy, ignoring holiness.
Why Did Ananias and Sapphira Drop Dead?
In the book of Acts, they dropped dead. Why? To understand what happened, it is important to keep the Old Sinai Covenant and the New Covenant separate.
Women Really Did Work as–and Were–Overseers, Elders, Pastors: A Close Look at 1 Timothy 5:9-10
I updated this post with a new table. Let’s explore this thesis, by comparing three passages, plus 1 Peter 5:1-5 and 1 Timothy 3:11, 12-13 (later), describing male elders and overseers and pastors, with elderly widows. All of them took care of the churches–the women functioned as pastors, elders, and overseers throughout their redeemed lives, because they were those things, when they saw the needs arise and because of their high-quality character and walk with God. (We also take a look at Titus 1:5-9 and 2:3-5).
Bible Basics about the Church
This post is an old-fashioned Bible study, offering a clear understanding of the church.
The Spirit in the Church and Believers
Renewalists have a robust and biblical pneumatology (doctrine of the Spirit). The church is a living organism, and the Spirit is guiding it. But the church is made up of individual believers. The Spirit works in them too.
Why Doesn’t Divine Healing Happen One Hundred Percent of the Time in This Age?
Yes, healing is “in” the atonement, like every biblical benefit. So why not 100% healing right now? (I updated this post.)
Women, Men, and Five Ministry Gifts in Ephesians 4:11
Yes, women really did function in Christ’s five gifts to his church, his temple, to build it up: apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors-teachers. Check out the evidence. (I updated this post.)
Are Older Women Restricted to Teaching (‘Only’?) Young Women? A Close Look at Titus 2:3-5
How restrictive are those verses in the title? Does the Greco-Roman household offer any guidance for reading them? What about other verses in the NT?
New Testament Restricts Authority of Modern Prophets
Yes, prophets of a certain sort rightly exist today, biblically speaking. However, errors are committed in many churches today, usually by “youtube” and “facebook” prophets. They are unscripturally concentrating too much authority in themselves. A closer reading of the New Testament, however, restricts them, their authority, and their ministry.
Should Women Not Speak One Word in Church? A Close Look at 1 Cor. 14:34-36
One older commentator says the prohibition in those verses seems “absolute.” Yet how do we properly read them?
Are Women Allowed to Teach Men? A Close Look at 1 Timothy 2:11-15
Certain interpreters of those verses in the title have restricted women’s full participation in the teaching ministry. But are these restrictions truly biblical? Let’s take a deeper look at the verses in the title.
Do NT Prophets and Prophecy Exist Today?
Many Renewalists say yes for prophecy. The biblical evidence favors them. Now what about prophets? (I have recently updated this post.)
Do NT Apostles Exist Today?
Many Renewalists believe apostles do exist. But should there be restrictions? An old-fashioned Bible study to answer the question. (I have updated this post,)
Kenneth Copeland Gets a Pacemaker
Included in this post are the link to his video testimony, the transcript of the video, and my embedded comments.
False Prophets in Sinai Covenant and Imperfect Prophets in New Covenant: Life and Death Differences
Youtube critics daily, it seems, call for the blood of Christian prophets who are mistaken about some of their prophecies. The critics read Deuteronomy 13 and 18 and demand the death penalty for their ministries. But what did Paul say about them? Let’s do a side-by-side comparison of the OT and the NT.
Women Teachers: New Translation and Reinterpretation of 1 Timothy 2
What if 1 Timothy 2:12-15 is not about women teaching and dominating men at church? What if it is about a husband and wife at home? Or does the house church merge the domestic and public spheres? What would that mean for church policy and women teachers out in public?
Is ‘Decreeing’ Biblical for Christians?
The title could be “Is God Bound to Obey Our Decrees?” That’s what certain teachers seem to say. Let’s look into this subject.
Basics about the Lord’s Supper
It is also called the Lord’s Table, Communion, Messianic Passover, and the Eucharist. What does it mean? How should we celebrate it?
John 6 and Partaking of His Body and Blood
John 6 and Jesus’ teaching about his body and blood and bread and manna from heaven is very symbolic. How should we interpret it, as it relates to the Eucharist or the Lord’s Table or Communion?
Brief Overview of Divorce and Remarriage in New Testament
Let’s look at the key verses in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and 1 Corinthians. It is a review for my own introductory education. Call it “Divorce and Remarriage 101.”
Warning to Evolving, Progressive Churches: Judgment Is Coming
I would be derelict in my duty as a teacher not to discuss this very biblical truth.
Warning to Evolving, Progressive Churches: Marriage and Sex
How much do progressive pastors and other leaders rule the church on these complex issues? How much are they changing the King’s original intent for his kingdom?
Warning to Evolving, Progressive Churches: Authority of Scripture
Progressives deny the full authority of Scripture, particularly about sex and personal conduct. It restricts their style. They characterize a love for Scripture as “bibliolatry.” Continue reading
Warning to Evolving, Progressive Churches: Danger Signs
You may not see it, but Progressive Christianity is not the right path for you. Here are signs that you are putting yourself at risk of going past what is written in Scripture. Solutions are also offered here.
Matt. 7:21-23: “I Never Knew You, Depart from Me!”
These verses are very sobering. What do they mean in your life and mine?
The Church Fulfills and Replaces Old Testament Temple
Let’s allow the clarity of Scripture to overturn needlessly complicated and convoluted interpretations that have dominated American Christianity for many decades. Further, is this replacement the same as the church replacing Israel? Read the post to find out. And look at the photos, too!
Does Book of Acts Teach Modern Communism or Socialism?
Some say yes. What are the historical and social context of three key passages?
Should I Wash a Black Man’s Feet to Atone for Historic Racism?
I tell my story: Not my racism, but my ancestors owned slaves. Most importantly, what do the Scriptures say about atonement?
What Are Renewal Movements in Christianity?
How are they defined? How many people belong to them?
What Is Fellowship?
Why do we need it? Why must we not skip it for very long? A Bible study here, with the famous “one another” verses included.
What Is the Church?
How does the Bible describe it? We need to know, so we can fit into God’s plan with other believers.
The Power of Scripture and Doctrine in the Church
Certain Christians downplay Scripture. But it is better to say that this book, full of revelations and wonderful teachings, should occupy the top spot in our gatherings. Here’s why.
Gifts of the Spirit in Romans 12:6-8
Renewalists (Pentecostals, Charismatics and Neo-Charismatics) believe that all the gifts of God mentioned in the New Testament are for today. They flow from God and are exercised through the Spirit and grace and a yielded, eager heart when the need arises. Let’s study the ones in Rom. 12:6-8.
Gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and 12:28
Renewalists (Pentecostals, Charismatics and New-Charismatics) believe these gifts are for today. This is an old-fashioned Bible study, word by word. line up line.
What Happens to Children after They Die?
It is very sad on a human level. But what is the answer biblically? Is there hope?
What Is the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
A small percentage of people are anxious about this, but what does the Bible say? Can people commit this sin today?
Should We Call It ‘Tongues’?
The Greek texts actually call it ‘languages.’ What should we call it today?
The Purpose and Importance of Spiritual Languages
The Bible is clear that this wonderful gift has divine purposes. What are they?
Bible Basics about Deliverance
Deliverance and maintaining lasting freedom from satanic oppression includes these essential ingredients.
Magic, Witchcraft, Sorcery, and Fortunetelling
You have to avoid those things. Here’s why.
Christianity Is Fastest Growing Religion in World
In this post, growth is defined by reaching people and converting them and an increase in church attendance, not birthrate or immigration. Measured in that way, Christianity is the fastest growing religion in the world, without a close second. Periodically updated.
Supplemental Statements of Faith: Two Historic Creeds
The statement of faith at the website is the Apostles Creed and the Statement of Faith of the National Association of Evangelicals. The other two historic statements commented on in this post also make up the other portions of this website’s Statement of Faith.
Works Cited
Here is a list of the principal works referenced or used at this site. More will be added as time goes on, so please check back.
Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching 