Bible Study series: Mark 9:33-37. Take the low road before God. Be a servant. Become like little children. Don’t lord it over people.
Who Is the Greatest?
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Category Archives: Growth in Christ
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
Bible Study series: Mark 8:34-38. These verses may be the most important ones for our discipleship. We must kill our sins and vices and selfish ambition and foolishness and stubbornness (etc.).
The Simplicity of Salvation
Just how does one get saved, anyway?
Jesus Teaches His Kingdom Citizens to Love Their Enemies
Bible Study series. Luke 6:27-36. In the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus issues a summons or call to radical discipleship. Have you done anything radical or countercultural, like giving money to your church, when your accountant says not to? Do you know someone who has given all for Jesus, to the point of martyrdom? What is your story?
Be Balanced and Avoid Hyper-Teachings
This is a huge problem in the church, particularly the charismatic branches. .
Do New Testament Apostles Exist Today?
Many Renewalists believe apostles do exist. But should there be restrictions? An old-fashioned Bible study to answer the question. I also discuss elders and overseers and pastors and other leaders in relation to the push for installing apostles today. This post has been thoroughly revised, due to further study.
Why Our Churches Must Consider Communion Elements and Baptismal Waters As Sacred
No doubt dozens of professional theologians have thought of this before. But it struck me just recently.
The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew’s Gospel
You can certainly pray this prayer word for word if you like. But other interpreters say we should base our prayers on each line, but put our prayer in our own words. That is, it’s a model prayer.
Muslim-Christian Marriage: Friendly Advice to Christians
Should you take the plunge? I remember hearing an interview on the radio with a Muslim, a few years ago.
Jesus Teaches His Disciples about Eunuchs
What about eunuchs in Matthew 19:10-12? Does the Bible endorse trans surgery? Does being “born” a eunuch imply same-sex attraction?
Don’t Make Excuses for Unsound Christian Leaders
The devoted followers of various leaders will post comments excusing the excesses and bad theology and defective Bible interpretation. Here are the most common excuses and my replies to them. I also cover where the unsoundness may come from.
Calling Leaders by Name to Repent
Bad public leadership requires public correction and rebuke. I hope this post is redemptive, not condemning. It’s a call to repentance. After you read it, check back regularly. I update it, as issues come up.
Generosity in the New Testament
Is tithing demanded of the New Covenant believer after the cross? Or does the New Testament teach something better? This is an old-fashioned Bible study.
Ten Characteristics of a Healthy Disciple
What makes a healthy disciple? This list is simple and uncomplicated.
Sixteen Characteristics of a Healthy Church
These events happened a mere few years after the Great Commission and the Ascension. The earliest church is the gold standard. Let’s see what we can learn from them in two passages, Acts 2:43-47 and 4:23-31.
God’s Signs and Wonders versus Satan’s Signs and Wonders
What are they? What are their motives and purposes? How do we discern the differences, when they seem so similar?
Who Were the Nephilim?
Life is getting strange with the onslaught of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The issue of the Nephilim is “enormous” and “gigantic” in the American church right now. Can giants be edited through AI and faked and published on youtube and other platforms? Some youtube teachers and prophets claim that they actually do appear, apart from AI.
Do New Testament 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 yet again, on December 11 29, 2024.)
Gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and 12:28
Renewalists believe these gifts are for today. This is an old-fashioned Bible study, word by word. line upon line. I thoroughly revised this post.
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. I updated this post.
A Misunderstood Biblical Command: “Don’t Judge!”
This is an easy-to-follow word study of key terms in the New Testament and a close look at Matthew 7:1-5. Let’s understand what it really means in context. (I updated this post.)
Watch God Work When We Pray, Command, Believe, Receive.
Yes, Jesus really did teach us to pray like this. His teaching was clear and simple. Let’s follow his instructions.
With Faith Command Your Obstacle to Go. Then Watch God Work
The disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith. His answer was startling (as usual). Yes, Jesus really did teach us to pray this way.
Jesus Teaches Us How To Fast
Matthew 6:16-18: Fasting is a powerful spiritual weapon like no other. Let’s learn from the Lord who fasted forty days and forty nights. I also include a brief study of fasting in other verses.
What Does ‘Binding and Loosing’ Mean?
Some Christians bind Satan and loose angels. They base this on Matthew 18:18. But is this verse correctly interpreted? Also, how does the church discipline wayward members? And what does it mean when Jesus taught that where two or three are gathered in his name, he’ll be there among them? (Bonus: watch how a careful reading of the Greek text takes down word-of-faith, decree-and-declare exaggerations.)
Your New Identity in Christ
People struggle with their identity in Christ. Satan and their own minds tell them they are no good, because they have sinned too many times for God to forgive them. They are worthless and useless to God and his mission for them. However, here are verses that proclaim who you are “in him” or “in Christ”. (I often also include other prepositions.) Let these biblical truths enter your heart and mind and reject the self-destructive thoughts. Renew your mind with Scripture!
What Is Biblical Confession?
Despite the abuse, confession is still a biblical practice, whether for sins or for salvation in Christ. Make it part of your prayer life.
What Is the ‘Anointing’?
Renewalists use the term all the time, but do we know what it means? What does the Bible say?
Why Doesn’t Divine Healing Happen One Hundred Percent of the Time in This Age?
This post is a biblical theology discussion. If you are fighting for your or someone else’s healing, I advise you to skip this post. Read it later when the outcome of your fight is final, and you need to understand what the Bible really teaches about healing. (I updated this post yet again. In this post, I also answer whether healing is in the atonement.)
Basic Biblical Regeneration: What Is It and How Does It Work?
You must be born again. But what does that mean? Does anything result from rebirth? Or do we just stay the same? I also cover Romans 7:13-25. (I updated this post.)
Does the Spirit Convict Believers?
An odd teaching has been circulating around the church for a long time.
Do Christians Have to ‘Keep’ the Ten Commandments?
Do we ignore the Old Law so we can be free to live as we wish in the New Covenant? What about Christian Sabbath keeping? What does the Bible really say?
The ‘Seven Spirits of God’ and American Prophets and Pastors
There is a teaching circulating through the American church, particularly in the prophetic community, that prophets (and others) can “exercise” the “seven spirits of God.” What about this?
Did 12 or 120 Speak in ‘Spirit-Inspired Languages’ (‘Tongues’) at Pentecost?
A teaching on Acts 2 has been circulating among certain (restrictive) Bible interpreters, which says that only the twelve apostles received the fullness or the baptism with the Spirit at Pentecost with the gift of speaking in Spirit-inspired languages (commonly called ‘tongues’). True?
Matthew 5:28 and Adultery in the Heart
Matthew 5:28 has been misused over and over again. What does it mean in its textual and OT contexts? Update: radio host Dennis Prager says that in Judaism a man can watch a little porn because the Torah does not forbid it. Judaism is about behavior, not inner thoughts.
Sanctification: Past, Present, Future
The moment you are saved, Christ becomes your sanctification. Now he works it out in you in slow, steady progress until the day you die and live again in heaven and then the new earth with your new body, when your sanctification will be completed.
Does Hebrews 7:1-10 Teach Church Policy of Tithing?
An old-fashioned Bible study is offered here, countering a desperate misinterpretation from certain Bible interpreters who seek for more money.
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.
Sanctification of the Whole Person: Spirit, Soul, and Body
Some Renewalists of the Word of Faith variety say your redeemed spirit is perfect, but not your redeemed soul. True?
What Is Sanctification?
This topic is really unpopular in the “wilder grace” and “freer grace” Renewal circles. But becoming like Christ is scriptural. Unavoidable. Necessary. And a blessing.
What Are Signs and Wonders and Miracles?
What are the Scriptures that reveal them? How are they relevant to my life today? Or have they ceased?
Questions and Answers about Spirit-Inspired Languages
These are more commonly known as ‘tongues.’ Here some of the biblical basics.
Grace Is a Verb
Grace means God’s unmerited, unearned favor. But once you have experienced it, you must show it.
God Is Your Redeemer
You did something you regret. You said something that you want to take back. Good news! You’re a prime candidate for God the Redeemer to deliver you out of your troubles and buy you out of your self-inflicted prison.
What Does ‘Turn the Other Cheek’ Mean?
Does the verse allow violence to be done to Christians, without self-defense?
Two Kinds of Righteousness
This is important for our walk with God. Don’t get them confused!
‘Revenge’ in the Old and New Testaments: Eye for Eye, Tooth for Tooth
Does the Old Testament demand literal retaliation for a wrong? Should an eye or a tooth be gouged or knocked out—physically? What about the teaching of Jesus? Does he raise our vision to a higher calling? How do we forgive a tort or a physical injury? How do we get compensated for damages?
What Is a Miracle?
What is it? Do they happen today? Can you experience one?
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.
How to Get Past Your Past: Forget the Devil’s Playground
Do you remember when you messed up? When you got drunk and went too far? What about the flirtation that went too far? What about saying stupid stuff at the job or Thanksgiving? When you lost your temper? What about your bad behavior generally? What about that abortion? Shoplifting?
God’s Love and Grace in Hebrews, General Letters, and Revelation
All the verses are here. This post is good for your personal edification or for pastors and teachers who wish to build a Bible study or sermon series.
God’s Love and Grace in Paul’s Epistles
All the verses are here. They are great for your personal edification or for pastors and teachers who wish to build a Bible study or sermon series.
Spiritual Sonograms: God Loves You and Your Baby
Whether you want your baby or not, God loves him or her, and he loves you. God can turn your Plan B into his Plan A, and make it better than your plans. Keep your baby, if you have an unplanned pregnancy.
Is ‘Decreeing’ Biblical for Christians?
The title could also be “Is God Bound to Obey Our Decrees?” That’s what certain teachers seem to say. Let’s look into this subject.
Are ‘Tongues’ the Sign of Baptism with Spirit in Acts?
What do five key passages in Acts say about prayer languages, commonly called ‘tongues,’ being the sign of the empowerment of the Spirit?
Jesus Turns a Gentile Mother’s Desperation into Faith
Jesus seemed to be “rude” to a Gentile (pagan, non-Jew, or foreign) woman, someone outside his outreach to Israel. Here’s an exegesis (close reading) that explains his reasons, in a little more detail, in his own cultural context.
What Is Grace?
It is a widely used (and abused) biblical word. What does it really mean?
Everyone Shall Be Judged by Their Works and Words
Out of his great love for people, God in his mercy is forewarning everyone, whether the redeemed or unredeemed, that this judgment SHALL happen, based on their good or bad deeds and good or bad words. The Scriptures are unambiguous about it. How do we prepare for it? God offers solutions before we all face it.
Matthew 7:21-23: “I Never Knew You, Depart from Me!”
These verses are very sobering. What do they mean in your life and mine?
1. Gifts of Spirit: Word of Wisdom
This gift is given in order to proclaim the wisdom about Christ and for any particular or special need through the empowerment of the Spirit.
2. Gifts of the Spirit: Word of Knowledge
This manifestation of the Spirit can reveal who Christ is more fully and give you information that you could not have without the Spirit revealing it. It does not come by study and research. It is a gift of the Spirit, not of your own mental faculties.
3. Gifts of the Spirit: Faith
This is a surge of trust that God will give anyone who needs it and in accordance with his will.
4. Gifts of the Spirit: Gifts of Healings
Healings come in all shapes and sizes, so expect God to work in a variety of ways.
5. Gifts of the Spirit: Workings of Miracles
This gift is available to all, today, not just a special few. God will give it to you when you need it most.
6. Gifts of the Spirit: Prophecy
This gift can be very edifying for you and the church. It is not a preacher’s inspired sermon. And don’t despise it, either, says the Scripture.
7. Gifts of the Spirit: Discernings of Spirits
It is a broad enough to help you distinguish between the false and the true, the Holy Spirit and evil spirits, deceived and true humans.
8. Gifts of the Spirit: Spirit-Inspired Languages (‘Tongues’)
It is important to study this gift.
9. Gifts of the Spirit: Interpretation of Spirit-Inspired Languages
This gift depends on Spirit-inspired languages (‘tongues’). Without them, interpretation would not be needed. This post gives a basic teaching of this gift.
How Do We Respond to God’s Salvation?
When we experience salvation, we respond to it in our daily lives. How do we and should we respond?
What Is Repentance?
Does it merely mean “changed mind,” or does it go deeper?
What Is Biblical Forgiveness?
If you sin regularly, this post is for you. God hurls your sins into the sea and remembers them no more. An old fashioned word study and basic Bible study, with lots of biblical verses put in an easy-to-read format.
Parable of the Sower: Eternal Security or Possible Apostasy?
The parable may not cover the titled theological dispute in detail, but many interpreters believe it does. So let’s explore.
Remaining a Christian or Falling Away?
In the old days, this used to be called the “perseverance of the saints” (believers). All that means is the persistence of Christians to keep their relationship with the Lord. So the related question often comes up: Can a truly born-again believer walk away from this relationship?
Possible Apostasy or Eternal Security?
Can truly born-again believers drift permanently away from or renounce their relationship with the Lord, or are they eternally secure?
The Fruit of Righteousness
Paul prays for the Philippians that they would be filled with the fruit of righteousness (Phil. 1:11). Therefore righteousness is a fruit, every bit as much as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are. What does this aspect of the term mean?
Grace to You
Paul begins and ends each letter with grace. Great for your personal edification or a series in a Bible study or sermons.
Alternatives to Grace?
What are those alternatives? Only one man, inspired by the Spirit, turned the problem and solution on its head.
Gifts of the Spirit in Romans 12:6-8
Renewalists 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 Romans 12:6-8.
1 Fruit of the Spirit: Love
This word begins the list in Gal. 5:22-23. From it flows all the other virtues. Here is a basic word study of the noun, with application to your life.
2 Fruit of the Spirit: Joy
Gal. 5:22-23 lists nine fruit of the Spirit. The second one is joy. What is it? Giddiness, or does it go deeper? Also discussed here is the differences between happiness and joy.
3 Fruit of the Spirit: Peace
It is clear from the news headlines that we need peace in the world. But that can happen only when we have the peace that flows from the Spirit. Everyone on the planet needs to be born again, be filled with the Spirit, and let the peace flow outwardly.
4 Fruit of the Spirit: Forbearance or Patience
It is also translated as “patience.” Do we have enough of it? Do you dare pray for it?
5 Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
This attribute should grow in us by the Spirit of God. Will we let him produce it in us?
6 Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
Have you heard this meme circulating around the American church? “The gospel does not make bad people good, but dead people alive”? Yes, it makes dead people alive, but it also makes now-living persons better.
7 Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness
“Faith” and “faithfulness” come from related Greek words. They need to be sorted out by context.
8 Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness
It’s the opposite of being harsh and overbearing.
9 Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control
Without this fruit, our lives would be chaotic.
Baptized, Filled, and Full of the Spirit: What Does It All Mean?
All the key words are here, spelled out in simple English.
Dreams and Visions: How to Interpret Them
Have you ever received a dream, possibly from God, while you were sleeping or a vision before your eyes or mind’s eyes? How would you know if it came from God? How do we evaluate them?
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?
Sanctification: Can Christians Achieve Sinless Perfection Now?
Some major denominations have taught this. What do the Scriptures say?
How Is Sanctification Done?
God has his part, but we have our part too. What’s the balance?
Bible Basics on Sanctification and Holiness
These are the basics of this neglected biblical doctrine—this doctrine that becomes a reality in your life.
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.
Satan and Demons: Personal
This post covers Satan and his attack on people—even you at times. And so can Christians ‘have’ a demon or be demon-possessed or demonized? Can we rebuke demonic rulers over a city or region?
3. What Does the Glory of God Mean to Us?
He shares it with us. It means everything to your life in Christ. Let is shine on you.
1. The Glory of God in the Old Testament
God shares this attribute with us, in manifesting his presence, even visibly sometimes. God’s glory can even include material prosperity. Don’t believe it?
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 