The literal translation for “orthodox” is “right belief”. The idea that there could be an absolute truth is clearly at odds with out postmodern culture which advocates equality of belief and ideas. The early church was very concerned about maintaining orthodoxy as was demonstrated in Acts 8 by Priscilla and Aquila.
Paul’s experience in Corinth should challenge us to see evangelism in a different way. Although its seems our western culture has moved on from the gospel, we need not think that our efforts to spread the gospel are in vain. We need to remember that God is still at work in people’s lives. Our calling is […]
As Paul did some sightseeing in Athens he was distressed to see how lost in religions, superstitions, and philosophies the residents were. He couldn’t help but speak the simple truth of the gospel into this complex mosaic of ideas. His presentation to the philosophers is an excellent template for us as we seek to present […]
Jesus said that he was TRUTH. When we accept the TRUTH, we are given the Spirit of TRUTH. The Spirit of TRUTH transforms us, making us like Christ. All of this is, of course, contingent on our response to TRUTH. In Acts 17, we have a record of the very different responses of those exposed […]
A Rolling Stone article recently suggested that even though we are living in the safest time in human history we are living in an age of fear. God does not want His children to live this way and He has done everything to free us from that fear. In Philippi, Paul and Silas demonstrate the difference that this freedom can […]
In Acts 16 we see that Paul’s plans to spread the gospel in “Asia” were prevented by “the Spirit of Jesus”. He must have wondered why he was not being allowed to do what he figured he was called to do. How are we to respond when our plans are replaced by God’s Plan B?
Paul’s guidance around the question of circumcision seems puzzling until we consider it in the light of the paradox of Christian freedom.
In this life, there will be disagreements, as was evident in the early church. Our aversion to confrontation and our natural propensity to react by employing “fight or flight” can be overcome as we learn how to manage disagreements in a Godly and constructive manner.
In Acts 15 we read of a conflict that would ultimately result in a clear defining of two distinct covenant communities, the old covenant community of the Jews and the new covenant community of Christians. The question that arose was whether or not Gentile believers needed to be circumcised and be part of the old covenant community. The […]
John’s words about Jesus…”I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”, are indicative of the vast difference between those awaiting the arrival of the Messiah in the first Advent and those of us living in the second Advent. The incredible effects of Christ’s baptism make our experience so much more purposeful.