Category Archives: bible

Hermeneutics of Establishing Priorities

Ref: Heiser’s Bible Podcast on Acts 15 (transcript PDF). Bible translations into English vary some, but we recognize in the Old Testament the term “Chosen” referring to the Nation of Israel. There is no useful distinction between “Chosen” and “Elect”. … Continue reading

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Law of Kings

We are pretty sure David studied the Torah on a regular basis. It’s hard to imagine he would not have kept the law, in particular the passage in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. When you come to the land the LORD your God … Continue reading

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Holy Spirit Required

Most of you remember the incident in Acts 3 where Peter and John were entering the Temple and ran across a lame fellow begging at the Beautiful Gate. They healed the man and he came dancing and shouting into the … Continue reading

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in bible | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Balaam’s Teaching

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

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on NT Doctrine — Conclusion

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

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on NT Doctrine — Jude

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

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on NT Doctrine — 1 John 5

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

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on NT Doctrine — 1 John 4

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

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on NT Doctrine — 1 John 3

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

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on NT Doctrine — 1 John 2