Bible Study series: Acts 10:30-43. This is the fourth scene in the major kingdom change. It is always best to keep the gospel Christ-centered.
Peter Says That Jesus Is for Everyone, in an Overview of Jesus’s Ministry
Reply
Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead
Bible Study series: John 11:38-44. This is the culmination of the story.
The Purpose of Parables and the Parable of Soils (Sower), Explained
Bible Study series: Luke 8:9-15. Are you hungry enough to dig into God’s word to mine its truths? Will you stay with your faith or walk away? Will you let Satan steal the word from your heart? Your soul is at stake.
Who Is the Greatest?
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.
He Came to Bring a Sword (Division), Not Peace in the Household
Bible Study series: Matthew 10:34-39. It’s time to count the cost, in Jewish and Muslim families.
The Spirit Speaks to Peter to Visit Cornelius
Bible Study series: Acts 10:17-29. This is the third scene in the kingdom change on who is acceptable to God. Peter is summoned to a divine appointment. You too can hear the voice of the Spirit.
Jesus Weeps and Comforts Mary and Martha
Bible Study series. John 11:28-37. Jesus was preparing to raise Lazarus from the dead. Would his two sisters believe it?
Parable of the Soils (Sower), Introduced
Bible Study series: Luke 8:4-8. Where is your heart when you hear the gospel? Soft? Ready? Hardened? Anxious? Vulnerable to Satan?
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection in Mark’s Gospel
Bible Study series. Mark 9:30-32. He understood his mission, tough though it was.
Fear God, Not People
Bible Study series: Matthew 10:26-33. You have to get the right perspective. People can harm the body but do nothing to the soul.
Apostles Creed + Brief Commentary
It is rooted in Scripture and therefore very valuable today. It is also easy to understand.
What Does ‘Parousia’ Mean?
It is mostly about the Lord’s Second Coming, but it also has other nuances that clarify the definition. What do two Greek lexicons say about it? A nontechnical article.
Peter Receives a Vision about Unclean Things
Bible Study series: Acts 10:9-16. This is the second scene in the biggest shift of God’s dealings with people.
‘I Am the Resurrection and the Life’
Bible Study series: John 11:17-27. Jesus teaches before he performs his miracle. Are we listening? Or do we only love the miracles?
Women Travel and Financially Support Men
Bible Study series: Luke 8:1-3. Women were important for the earliest Jesus Movement before his resurrection, and afterwards.
Jesus Expels a Demon from a Boy
Bible Study series: Mark 9:14-29. Demonization is real. Be free of it.
Jesus Predicts Persecution of His Missionaries
Bible Study series: Matthew 10:16-25. Get ready. You will be misunderstood and even persecuted when you preach the gospel in a hostile religious environment.
An Angel Visits Cornelius the Centurion, in a Vision
Bible Study series: Acts 10:1-8. This is the opening scene of a global change on who can be saved. It is an amazing story we are about to read.
Lazarus Gets Sick and Dies; Jesus Had Delayed Coming to Heal Him
Bible Study series: John 11:1-16. Why did Jesus delay when Lazarus was sick? Then he died. Is it too late now?
A Sinful Woman Is Forgiven
Bible Study series: Luke 7:36-50. Jesus set her free from her past.
Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration
Bible Study series: Mark 9:1-13. Jesus reveals more of the glory of the kingdom in himself.
Jesus Calls and Commissions the Twelve Apostles
Bible Study series: Matthew 10:1-15. The apostles will eventually go into all the world and preach the gospel (Matt. 28:18-20)
Peter Raises Tabitha (Dorcas) from the Dead
Bible Study series: Acts 9:36-43. Peter prayed first to hear from the Spirit. He then spoke to her and a miracle happened.
Jesus Leaves Jerusalem
Bible Study series: John 10:40-42. He went to the region beyond the Jordan River (eastward). And many people believed in him because of the signs.
Jesus Tells the People Who John the Baptist Was
Bible Study series: Luke 7:24-35. John was a great prophet, but the least in the kingdom was greater than he. He was a transitional figure.
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.).
Jesus Heals Two Blind Men
Bible Study series: Matthew 9:27-31. The two men cried out for mercy. Jesus asked them what they wanted. They had to say it. This took place near the Lake of Galilee, up north.
Basics about the Trinity
The doctrine of the Trinity is essential to the Christian faith. Through the trinitarian God, we have redemption, a relationship with the Father, through the Son, and by the Spirit living in us. Also, the Scriptures affirm the doctrine. Therefore the church can never dispense with it. It is too wonderful and necessary.
Peter and the Healing of Aeneas
Bible Study series: Acts 9:32-35. Peter performed this wonderful miracle on his preaching tour.
‘The Father Is in Me and I in the Father’
Bible Study series: John 10:31-39. Jews (the establishment) wanted to stone him for his proclamation that he close to his Father.
John Sends Disciples to Jesus to Answer His Doubts
Bible Study series: Luke 7:18-23. Signs and wonders were proof that Jesus was the Messiah. They prove this truth even today.
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection and Rebukes Peter
Bible Study series: Mark 8:31-33. Peter had just declared that Jesus is the Messiah. Then he speaks for Satan and his cause.
Jesus Resurrects a Ruler’s Daughter and Heals Woman with Issue of Blood
Bible Study series: Matthew 9:18-26. Two females in need, and he helps both of them. Wonderful.
The 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy
The statement is the original and is available at other websites. I copy it into my website, in case external links go dead. I briefly offer my opinion at the very end.
Was Zechariah, ‘Son of Berekiah,’ the Martyred Prophet?
Did Matthew get things wrong (23:35)? There is a mystery here to be solved.
Summary Verse: The Church Grows
Bible Study series: Acts 9:31. This one of six summary verses. The church prospers.
A Brief Autobiography of the Administrator
My story is told briefly and selectively. (A post office box is at the end of this post, if you wish to contribute to this teaching ministry.)
About the Site
Welcome to the website! (A post office box is at the end of this post, if you wish to contribute to this teaching ministry.)
‘I and My Father Are One’
Bible Study series: John 10:22-30. This is a clear text that supports the Son’s deity.
Authority and Inerrancy of the Bible
Some corners of the church treat the Bible disrespectfully. It is no longer authoritative, so church leaders allow relationships that are unbiblical, like same-sex marriage. They themselves have become the ultimate authority, not God’s word. This is wrong.
Jesus Raises a Widow’s Only Son from the Dead
Bible Study series: Luke 7:11-17. This shows that Jesus is the Messiah, true, but it also demonstrates that he loves people who hurt.
Peter Declares that Jesus Is the Christ
Bible Study series: Mark 8:27-30. This is his confession of faith.
Questions about Fasting and Parables of New Cloth and New Wine
Bible Study series: Matthew 9:14-17. God is doing a new thing.
1. Bible Basics about the Spirit in the Old Testament
Here is a Bible study on the Spirit in the Old Testament. I added up the totals, and I was surprised by what I learned.
2. Bible Basics about the Spirit in the Life of Christ
He is the Anointed One, the Christ, the Messiah. Let’s find out how the Spirit worked in his life and ministry. Continue reading
Saul Goes to Jerusalem and Barnabas Supports Him
Bible Study series: Acts 9:26-30. He will soon return to his hometown. Sometimes retreat is the best option when things don’t go your way. Wait for God’s timing.
Jesus Is the Good Shepherd
Bible Study series: John 10:7-21. Will we submit to him like sheep and follow him?
A Gentile Centurion with Great Faith
Bible Study series: Luke 7:1-10. He had greater faith than anyone among God’s people. He amazed Jesus.
Jesus Heals a Blind Man in Two Stages at Bethsaida
Bible Study series: Mark 8:22-26. We can learn from this healing, when we pray for the sick.
Review of “7 Simple Ways to Test Prophecy” by Joshua Lewis of Remnant Radio
He is the founder of the channel The Remnant Radio. He produced a thirty-eight minute video about testing prophecy. In this post an outline and commentary are provided for your convenience. Then I offer my brief critique.
Jesus Calls Matthew
Bible Study series: Matthew 9:9-13 Jesus associated with tax collectors. Why not call one of them, under the Father’s guidance?
3. Bible Basics about the Spirit in the Life of Christians, Part 1
The Spirit is mentioned most often in Acts and the Epistles. Let’s discover together how the Spirit works in your life and in the church as a whole, biblically speaking.
4. Bible Basics about the Spirit in the Life of Christians, Part 2
This post continues the Spirit’s activity in the life of Christians, as revealed in the epistles.
Ananias Prays for Saul Who Then Boldly Proclaims the Messiah
Bible Study series: Acts 9:17-25. Jesus revealed many things to Saul, before he preached. He did not speak from the hip.
Jesus Is the Door and His Sheep Hear His Voice
Bible Study series: John 10:1-6. Those who will become his sheep are listening and will walk through the door.
Jesus Teaches His Kingdom Citizens to Listen and Obey
Bible Study series: Luke 6:46-49. Build your house on the rock (Jesus’s teaching).
Disciples Are to Watch Out for Yeast of Pharisees and Herod
Bible Study series: Mark 8:14-21. False teaching nowadays is everywhere.
Jesus Heals a Paralytic
Bible Study series: Matthew 9:1-8. Jesus can forgive sins.
Half-Truths in Dr. Brown’s Interview at Mercy Culture Church
This is a minute-by-minute summary of highlights of the conversation between four people: Heather Schott, Les Cody, Jaco Booyens, and Dr. Brown, at Mercy Culture Church. I did the difficult chore of listening to them so you don’t have to slog through 3:27:06. You can read this summary faster than listening to the video.
Ananias Is Commanded to Pray for Saul
Bible Study series: Acts 9:10-16. We have to obey God even when we don’t understand it.
Jesus Opens the Eyes of the Spiritually Blind
Bible Study series: John 9:35-41. Jesus uses the opening the blind eye to teach about spiritual blindness.
Jesus Teaches His Kingdom Citizens to Look for Character
Bible Study series: Luke 6:43-45. We must look for character in those who minister among us. Character over gifting.
Pharisees Demand a Sign
Bible Study series: Mark 8:11-13. Jesus does not grant their demand. He moved on.
Jesus Delivers Two Gadarene Demoniacs
Bible Study series: Matthew 8:28-34. Jesus traveled out of his way to set them free.
The Simplicity of Salvation
Just how does one get saved, anyway?
Disturbing Allegations against Dr. Michael Brown
In a new report, the eyewitness testimony is massive and for me decisive. Awful things happened under his leadership.
Irony Alert! Saul Is on Mission to Arrest Christians but Risen Jesus Arrests Him
Bible Study series: Acts 9:1-9. God arrested Saul while he is on his mission to arrest Jewish believers in Jesus.
The Pharisees Investigate the Healing
Bible Study series: John 9:13-34. The ex-blind man got the better of them. I once was blind, but now I see!
Jesus Teaches His Kingdom Citizens to Be Careful about Judging Others
Bible Study series: Luke 6:37-42. Just be aware that your judgment on others could turn back over on you.
Jesus Feeds Four Thousand
Bible Study series: Mark 8:1-10. God can work a miracle with a few resources.
Jesus Calms the Storm
Bible Study series: Matthew 8:23-27. It’s time to trust, when Jesus is with you.
Philip Meets an Ethiopian Eunuch
Bible Study series. Acts 8:26-40. This was a divine appointment, set up by the Spirit and an angel.
Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
Bible Study series: John 9:1-12. This was a great sign.
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?
Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man
Bible Study series. Mark 7:31-37. The crowds were amazed. But Jesus worked the miracle to help the man, not to amaze the crowds.
Are You Ready to Truly Follow Jesus?
Bible Study series. Matthew 8:18-22. Enthusiasm is great, but can you count the cost?
Peter and John Visit Samaria
Bible Study series. Acts 8:14-25. Peter and John need to validate Philip’s ministry in Samaria.
‘Before Abraham Was, I Am’
Bible study series: John 8:48-59. Jesus proclaims his deity, by the Father’s permission, who glorifies his Son.
Blessings and Woes
Bible Study series. Luke 6:20-26. Jesus begins the Sermon on the Plain. He is teaching his disciples, his kingdom citizens. Get ready for blessings and some tough times and trials.
A Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith
Bible Study series: Mark 7:24-30. Jesus lifts her faith by putting her off at first, just to bring out the faith he saw in her.
Jesus Heals Many People
Bible Study series: Matthew 8:14-17. Another summary about Jesus’s healing ministry. Matthew quotes Isaiah 53:4. He carried our diseases.
Philip Goes to Samaria, Preaches Jesus, Works Miracles, and Sees Salvations
Bible Study series: Acts 8:5-13. Philip was not an apostle, yet he worked miracles. The gospel of Christ plus signs and wonders are a powerful means of salvation.
Your Father Is the Devil
Bible Study series: John 8:37-47. Jesus did not hold back.
Jesus Ministers to Crowd of Disciples and Multitudes
Bible Study series: Luke 6:17-19. This is a good summary of Jesus’s ministry.
Tradition or the Word of God? Externals or Internals?
Bible Study series: Mark 7:1-23. The word of God is central. Traditions take a back seat.
Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant
Bible Study series: Matthew 8:5-13. The centurion’s faith shocked him.
Persecution Breaks Out, and the Church Disperses to Judea and Samaria
Bible Study series: Acts 8:1b-4. There was a general persecution ,and Saul also persecutes them. Everywhere the Christians went, they preached the gospel. Only the apostles remained in Jerusalem.
Knowing the Truth Will Set You Free
Bible Study series: John 8:31-36. Jesus and his gospel is the truth. Know them and you will be free.
Jesus Spends Night in Prayer and Selects Twelve Apostles
Bible Study series: Luke 6:12-16. Jesus was a man of prayer.
Jesus Heals Everyone Who Reached Out to Him at Gennesaret
Bible Study series: Mark 6:53-56. This is his ministry of putting bad things right. The kingdom of God has come.
Jesus Is Willing to Cleanse a Leper
Bible Study series: Matthew 8:1-4. Jesus healed everyne needing healing and who approached him.
Stephen Is Martyred
Bible Study series: Acts 7:57-8:1a. Criticizing the temple was a serious offense. He paid with his life. He was the first recorded martyr. (8:1a is divided up like that to fit the flow of the narrative from here to the next chapter.)
Jesus Is from Above
Bible Study series: John 8:21-30. He knew who sent him and spoke what he heard his Father say. Then the Son speaks it to the world.
Jesus Heals a Man with Withered Hand on Sabbath
Bible Study series: Luke 6:6-11. Jesus broke down the wall which religious leaders had built around the Torah (first five books of the Bible).
Jesus Walks on Water
Bible Study series: Mark 6:45-52. Do not fear! Jesus miraculously comes to save you.
Two Foundations
Bible Study series: Matthew 7:24-29. Will you obey his words or hear them and then do as you please?
The Sanhedrin Reacts and Stephen Sees the Son of Man
Bible Study series: Acts 7:54-56. Now the “empire” (Sanhedrin) strikes back.
Jesus Is the Light of the World
Bible Study series: John 8:12-20. Jesus = the Light = the Truth
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
Bible Study series: Luke 6:1-5. He owns it.
Jesus Goes on Retreat and Then Feeds the Five Thousand
Bible Study series: Mark 6:30-44. The apostles report back after their short-term mission trip. Then they go on a retreat. Afterwards, he feeds the five thousand.
Trees and Their Fruits and False Followers
Bible Study series: Matthew 7:15-23. You can prophesy and work miracles in huis name but not know the Lord. “Depart from me! I never knew you!” We can know them by their fruit.
Stephen Denounces Sanhedrin’s Hypocrisy
Bible Study series: Acts 7:51-53 Stephen is coming on strong. Fearless!
A Woman Caught in Adultery
Bible Study series: John 8:1-11 Mercy triumphs over judgment.
God Is Doing a New Thing through Jesus
Bible Study series: Luke 5:33-39. New wine in old wineskins?
Herod Executes John the Baptist
Bible Study series: Mark 6:14-29. Let’s do a deep dive into John’s life.
Enter through the Narrow Gate; Walk the Narrow Path
Bible Study series Matthew 7:13-14. Kingdom citizens enter through the narrow gate and walk on the straight and narrow path
Stephen Says God Does Not Dwell in Things Made with Hands
Bible study series: Acts 7:44-50. God does not live in the temple. Stephen reveals God presence is not limited to the tabernacle of Moses or Solomon’s temple.
The Authorities Do Not Believe in Him
Bible Study series: John 7:45-52. They did not arrest him, as noted in another post. The officers were so amazed at his teaching that they did not bring him in.
Jesus Calls Levi and Dines with Him
Bible Study series: Luke 5:27-32. Levi said yes. Let’s celebrate!
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
Bible Study series: Mark 6:7-13. Proclaim repentance. They healed saw many healings and deliverances. They used oil to pray for the sick.
The King Teaches on Persistent Prayer + the Golden Rule
Bible Study series: Matthew 7:7-12. Prayer must be persistent. And we must do good to people. There is a connection.
Stephen Denounces Israel’s Apostasy
Bible study series: Acts 7:42-43. Stephen is now punching hard. Don’t hold back!
The People Are Divided over Him
Bible Study series: John 7:40-44. Who was Jesus, anyway? The people took their best guesses based on traditions and their interpretations of Scripture
Jesus Forgives Sins and Heals Paralytic
Bible Study series: Luke 5:17-26. Jesus had authority on earth to forgive sins. He backed up his claim with a healing.
Jesus Is Dishonored in His Hometown
Bible Study series: Mark 6:1-6. Jesus went there to teach and preach. But they rejected him. He simply moved on.
The King Warns against Judgmentalism
Bible Study series: Matthew 7:1-6. This must be read in context. And be sure not to throw priceless things before swine or holy things before dogs.
Can Fallen Church Leaders Be Restored to Ministry?
Warning: this post discusses adult topics but in a pastoral and redemptive way. The topic of possible restoration is very complicated, Let’s proceed with caution and depend on the Scriptures.
Stephen: Ancient Israel Wandered in the Wilderness
Bible Study series: Acts 7:35-41. Stephen’s defense is building up to something.
Learn to Live in the Rivers
Bible Study series. John 7:37-39. The rivers flow out of your innermost being and refers to the Spirit. Learn to live in the Spirit.
Jesus Heals a Man with Skin Disease
Bible Study series: Luke 5:12-16. This was one of the signs of the Messiah.
Jesus Raises Up Jairus’s Daughter, Part Two
Bible Study series: Mark 5:35-43. Jesus performs the greatest miracle– a resurrection. He is putting things right. The final accomplishment of this will happen in a twinkling of an eye, at his Second Coming.
Seek First His Kingdom
Bible Study series: Matthew 6:25-34. The Sermon on the Mount is about reorienting our perspective to things above. These verses are a perfect summary of this goal.
Pastor Landon Schott Cares More about the ‘Abusers of the Sisters’ than the Victims
He claims that God spoke to him that a demonic spirit named “accuser of the brethren” (Rev. 12:10) will take down righteous men. No. Righteous men have nothing to fear from ordinary Christians who are called to expose deeds of darkness (Eph. 5:11). Would God speak a misinterpretation of this verse?
Stephen Tells the Story of the Calling of Moses
Bible Study series: Acts 7:30-34. Stephen knew his Scripture. Moses had a genuine call of God.
Chief Priests and Pharisees Send Officers to Arrest Him
Bible Study series: John 7:32-36. Then Jesus said he is about to go to the one who sent him. The Jewish establishment was puzzled by his statement.
Peter Hears the Gospel, Witnesses a Miracle, Repents, and Follows Jesus
Bible Study series: Luke 5:1-11. Peter’s life was changed. Then he had to be trained and grow into his calling.
Disciples Persist in Prayer
This passage is part of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:7-11. Never give up on prayer, until God tells you to stop praying for something. But he is willing to give his Son’s disciples good things.
Jesus Heals Woman with Issue of Blood
Bible Study series: Mark 5:24b-34. Power went out from him because she reached out in faith, which rose above her desperation.
Do You Serve God or Mammon?
Bible Study series: Matthew 6:24. Who is your Lord? Do you have money or does money have you?
Stephen’s Speech: Early Life of Moses
Bible Study series: Acts 7:20-29. Moses was thoroughly educated in the ways of Egypt. But he had to escape from its culture.
Some Wanted to Seize Him, but Many in the Crowds Believed in Him
Bible Study series: John 7:25-31. He puzzled the people of Jerusalem. Some wanted to seize him; others believed him him.
Jesus Retreats and Then Preaches in Judean Synagogues
Bible Study series: Luke 4:42-44. Apparently he withdrew to rest and pray, but then the crowds found him and wanted to keep him for themselves. But he told them about his mission. A nice two-verse summary.
Jesus Raises Up Jairus’s Daughter, Part One
Bible Study series: Mark 5:21-24a. Jesus is heading towards a house where he will perform a wonderful miracle.
The Lamp of the Body Is the Eye
Bible Study series: Matthew 6:22-23. Make sure you look at the light (= truth = Christ’s message) of the gospel.
Be Balanced and Avoid Hyper-Teachings
This is a huge problem in the church, particularly the charismatic branches. .
Stephen’s Defense: Hebrews in Egypt
Bible Study series: Acts 7:9-19. Stephen’s overview speech is polemical. He’s going on offense, while defending himself. This is his apologia (defense) of the new Christian Movement.
Jesus Teaches Openly at the Feast of Tabernacles
Bible Study series: John 7:14-24. Jesus honored the festivals, but he mainly used them as teaching occasions because of the crowds.
Jesus Heals and Delivers Those with Various Diseases
Bible Study series: Luke 4:40-41. These are summary verses that teach us about his entire ministry.
Jesus Expels Legion of Demons from a Man
Bible Study series: Mark 5:1-20. Jesus went out of his way, across the lake, to get to him. This is the compassion of God.
Store Up Treasures in Heaven
Bible Study series: Matthew 6:19-21. Store up treasures in heaven. Don’t be greedy for treasure on earth. Hyper-prosperity teachers cannot like these verses. They shall have their rewards down here on earth, but nothing in the new heavens and earth.
Stephen’s Defense before the Sanhedrin
Bible Study series: Acts 7:1-57 and 8:1a. This is Stephen’s entire discourse in one simplified post. Great overview of the OT story.
Stephen Describes the Age of Patriarchs
Bible Study series: Acts 7:1-8. Stephen begins his speech to the people of Jerusalem, in sight of the temple. He begins at the beginning.
Jesus Goes Up to the Feast in Secret
Bible Study series: John 7:10-13. Jesus followed his Father’s timing.
Jesus Rebukes the Fever Attacking Peter’s Mother-in-Law
Bible Study series: Luke 4:38-39. God gives us authority to rebuke diseases.
Jesus Calms the Storm When Other Boats Were on the Lake
Bible Study series: Mark 4:35-41. Jesus calmed the storm to demonstrate God’s power, but it also has a practical need–to save other lives and boats.
The Right Attitude and Practice in Fasting
Bible Study series: Matthew 6:16-18. Don’t appear to be fasting. Don’t show off.
Here Is Doug Weiss’s (Digitized) Dissertation
I found it, but I’m not sure what to make of it. Maybe the readers can take a look at it and draw their own conclusions.
Stephen Stands Strong against Opposition
Bible Study series: Acts 6:8-15. Never surrender to your opposition when you are in the right and God is on your side.
Jesus Says No to His Brothers
Bible Study series: John 7:1-9. Jesus told his brothers no about going to the feast in Jerusalem. Then he went just a little later. How do we explain this?
Jesus Liberates a Demonized Man in a Synagogue
Bible Study series: Luke 4:31-37. The crowd marveled because he commanded unclean spirits.
Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching 