Category Archives: bible

Balaam’s Teaching

In John’s Revelation, among the seven churches to which the Spirit of God has him write is Pergamum in chapter 2. But I have a few things against you: You have some people there who follow the teaching of Balaam, … Continue reading

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NT Doctrine — Conclusion

I’m not going to say that John’s Revelation doesn’t contain any doctrine, but that doctrine is not the purpose for writing it. It is prophecy in symbols, all reaching back to echo the symbols of the Old Testament. Its content … Continue reading

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NT Doctrine — Jude

John’s second and third letters are brief summaries of what he wrote in his first epistle, addressed to a couple of people noted for helping itinerant preachers take the gospel to new mission fields. Chronology: Paul was executed in roughly … Continue reading

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NT Doctrine — 1 John 5

John’s schoolboy Greek grammar should be obvious, but people have debated for the past two millennia over what he says in this chapter. I take the position that the so-called “John’s comma” in verse 8 was not in the original … Continue reading

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NT Doctrine — 1 John 4

Let’s remind ourselves that John is being somewhat sarcastic about the various heretical cults around Ephesus and their claims of deep “gnosis” by using juvenile Greek grammar to express the real knowledge of God. The revelation of God in His … Continue reading

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NT Doctrine — 1 John 3

John refers to his readers as the progeny of God, His beloved brood. The world at large is the brood of Satan, so it recognizes neither our Father nor us. While we are His children already, the fullness of what … Continue reading

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NT Doctrine — 1 John 2

The unifying factor in the various cults plaguing John’s ministry in Ephesus — Gnostics, Nicolaitans, and followers of Cerinthus — was immoral living. Each had their own excuse, but it was transparent to any follower of Christ that these former … Continue reading

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NT Doctrine — 1 John 1

What made John unique among the apostles is that Jesus caught him rather early in his life, probably just a teenager. There was a very strong personal bond between as they were first cousins, and Jesus acted as if John … Continue reading

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NT Doctrine — 2 Peter 3

Peter wanted his readers to keep their minds in subjection to the Spirit. We inform the brain of divine revelation so it will know how to respond, equipped to cooperate with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Teaching was aimed … Continue reading

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NT Doctrine — 2 Peter 2

Peter describes the state of the Gnostic heresy as it was at the time. Israel had to contend with false prophets and so will the churches. They infiltrated and brought their false teaching into every church they could find. Things … Continue reading

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