You must be born again. But what does that mean? Does anything result from rebirth? Or do we just stay the same?
Regeneration: What Is It and How Does It Work?
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Category Archives: Salvation, Atonement, Cross
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.
Law versus Gospel
It is important to distinguish law from the gospel. If we don’t, we’ll get confused about how to walk the walk.
What Happens at Judgment to People Who Never Heard Gospel?
I used to teach world religions for a number of years. I learned that even though many people never got the chance to hear the gospel, they still lived impressively moral lives. What happens to them at judgment?
Grace Is a Verb
Grace means God’s unmerited, unearned favor. But once you have experienced it, you must show it.
Two Kinds of Righteousness
This is important for our walk with God. Don’t get them confused!
Theories about the Atonement
Are some theories about it better than others?
What Is Redemption in the Bible?
This is an easy-to-follow word study in Hebrew and Greek, with all the words transliterated into English. And then redemption and ransom are applied to our lives today.
Does Acts 13:48 Teach Divine, Hard Determinism?
In this context, ‘divine, hard determinism’ means the people had no choice but to believe and be saved. God ‘appointed’ them to eternal life.
What Does ‘Salvation’ Mean?
Start with this post, if you want the Bible basics. It will boil things down and clarify them. Key Hebrew and Greek words, 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.)
What Is the Gospel?
How can we proclaim it if we don’t know what it is? After a basic definition offered just below, the gospel also has multiple parts to it. Let’s see what they are. (I recently updated this post.)
What Do Romans 8:28-30 and 10:8-13 Teach about Predestination?
God initiates. We respond. We need both passages to clarify and balance out the other one. This is an old-school exegesis (pronounced EX-uh-gee-sus or ex-uh-GEE-sus), which means a close reading or analysis of a text.
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?
What Is Grace?
It is a widely used (and abused) biblical word. What does it really mean?
Atonement: Bible Basics
This post looks at the major Scriptures about the atonement. It also asks whether healing is “in” the atonement.
What Does ‘Atonement’ Mean?
This is an easy-to-follow study of some key Hebrew and Greek words, all transliterated into English.
What Is Reconciliation in the Bible?
God didn’t move. We did. Now he is wooing us back.
Why the Cross?
Ever since the Enlightenment (1600-1800+), modern man does not like the bloody elements of Christianity, the blood that was shed on the cross. This man knows best, right?
Why the Blood of Jesus?
Postmodern man after the Enlightenment (1600-1800+) does not like the bloody part of Christianity. Of course this man is shortsighted. This post answers the question and lays out the efficacious benefits of the blood of Christ for our salvation. It also answers whether it is biblical to “plead the blood.”
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 the Work of Salvation?
Who brought it about? How did salvation happen? Do we play our part to receive it?
What Is the Source of Salvation?
Read the Scriptural answer.
What Are Some Scriptural Images of Salvation?
The Scriptures use metaphors or imagery to describe salvation.
What Is Repentance?
Does it merely mean “changed mind,” or does it go deeper?
What Is Biblical Forgiveness?
If you have an overactive conscience, 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 data put in an easy-to-read format.
Justification: Bible Basics
What is justification? Can God declare a guilty man not guilty?
Justification: What It Is and What It Is Not
What does the term mean and not mean? An old-fashioned Bible study offered in a Q&A format.
Justification: How It Was Done, How We Get It, and Its Results
A thorough study that I hope clarifies this issue.
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?
What Is Righteousness?
It seems confusion dominates discussions about the righteousness of God. Is it imputed? Imparted? When does it mean vindication? Justice? Holiness? Declared not guilty? Putting things right? All of the above? Find out what the Old Testament and New Testament say!
What Is Penal Substitution?
This theory of the atonement or the significance of Christ’s death on the cross has come under attack of late. And maybe some sermons and illustrations of it have been out of line. But this theory of the atonement is still biblically valid. Here’s why.
Christ’s Death on Cross = Cosmic Child Abuse?
Critics say: “God sent his Son to the cross and poured his just wrath on him? Would any loving Father do that? It’s cosmic child abuse!” True or a misunderstanding?
Who Was Melchizedek?
He seems to be a mysterious figure. Some say he was a Christophany (manifestation) of the preincarnate Christ. But who was he according to the entire Scriptures that mention him? An old-fashioned Bible study here.
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.
What Is Biblical Imputation?
Hint to its meaning: Think about it and take it on credit.
Law versus Grace
The New Testament issues all sorts of commands and imperatives that many of us can’t live up to. What then?
Being Justified in Paul’s Epistles
What does “being justified” mean? Acquittal in law court, put right in a covenant, or both, or what?
What Happens to Children after They Die?
It is very sad on a human level. But what is the answer biblically? Is there hope?
Does Romans Promise Salvation by Good Works?
Some believe that in the epistle to the Romans Paul promises salvation through good works. The answer is not as clear as some interpreters claim.
What Is Calling and Election?
This is about God’s foreknowledge, choice, and human freewill. If we have the right perspective, we can reach sensible conclusions.
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 