Rule #1: Leave Idols Behind: When the early church was born, God welcomed Gentiles alongside Jewish people into His family. But as the guests of a holy God, this privilege came with house rules. Beginning a new series on Acts 15 and the Jerusalem Council’s requirements for the Gentiles who joined the church, we see God’s first crucial rule: Gentile …
IMG In Depth: Interview with Dan Price: What are you waiting for? If you’re a believer in Jesus, you’re waiting for His return to take you home with Him! Jesus’ disciples were waiting for Him to set up His Kingdom, and He gave them brilliant pictures of His coming rule. He shared parables of a master and his servant, 10 …
“There is Neither Jew nor Greek” from Galatians 3:28: Because the apostle Paul wrote, “There is neither Jew nor Greek” in Galatians 3:28, many people claim that Scripture ultimately renders Jewish identity obsolete today. But how can this be true when Paul immediately makes the same claim about men and women, whose distinct identities clearly still exist? We conclude our …
“Not All Those From Israel Are Israel” from Romans 9:6: In Romans 9:6, the apostle Paul used the phrase, “For they are not all Israel who are of Israel.” Some Christians believe Paul was redefining Israel, expanding the term to encompass all believers in Jesus, who constitute “spiritual Israel.” But Chris sets the record straight this week in part 3 …
“It is Not the Jew on Display” from Romans 2:28-29: When the apostle Paul defined “a Jew who is one inwardly,” did he mean that Christians—who are reconciled to God—are the true identity of Israel and the recipient of the nation’s covenant promises? Many believe so, but they are mistaken. Romans 2:28–29 is one of several passages that have been …
“The Israel of God” from Galatians 6:16: Reading the Bible in its context is crucial. When verses are cherry-picked and stripped of their context, the true meaning of God’s Word becomes lost. One of the most prominent examples of this issue in Scripture is the errant belief that the church has replaced Israel in God’s plans, promises, and affections. Many …
The Cities of Refuge (Part 2 of 2): As we conclude our short series on the biblical cities of refuge, we learn about what happened after a person arrived in such a city. By escaping there, an accidental manslayer received protection from vengeance, but this protection was contingent upon staying in the city. The opportunity to leave and return home …
The Cities of Refuge (Part 1 of 2): In the ancient world, killing a person, even accidentally, was liable to bring the rage of an “avenger of blood.” This person, a relative or loved one of the dead, could take vengeance by killing the one who caused the death. And so, a cycle of bloodshed would begin. But in giving …
The Year of Jubilee (Part 2 of 2): Last week we learned about the year of Jubilee, which God instructed the Israelites to remember in Leviticus 25. Though Jubilee is rarely mentioned in the rest of Scripture, its themes are such a key to Bible prophecy. They show up in the Old Testament, but they also play a major part …
The Year of Jubilee (Part 1 of 2): Everybody needs a reset at some point. When things go wrong, we wish we could start fresh. Thanks to God’s instructions for the Promised Land, Israel had this opportunity! This week and next we’ll learn about the year of Jubilee, a uniquely identifying part of Israel’s culture. Every seven years, the Land …
