When one hears, reads or thinks of the word baptism, the natural tendency is to automatically link it to water. In fact, there are at least twelve “baptisms” mentioned in the New Testament, and only five of them have anything to do with water. All of the baptisms using water were used in the context of the Old Testament Law, the kingdom program and the nation of Israel.
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Monthly Archives: April 2009
Understanding Baptism in this Age of Grace
Physical Healing In Isaiah 53?
Many Christians have grappled with the question…Is physical healing for today a part of the blood atonement of Christ? I have recently listened to a teacher on an audio tape attempt to show that Isaiah 53:4-5 contains the key to understanding that there is really healing for today in the atonement. As I listened more and more, I discovered that the very arguments that were used to attempt to show healing in the atonement actually proved BY THE SCRIPTURES that if there is healing for today in the atonement, it is NOT in Isaiah 53. read more »
Understanding Tongues
A Commentary on Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 12 – 14
The topic of the Holy Spirit gift of “tongues” has long been a point of contention within the Christian community. The purpose of this article is to answer in a plain and common sense way, the many questions that arise from 1 Corinthians 12, 13 and 14. We will especially look at the verses in chapter 14, where much of the confusion stems from. But, if we are going to understand the gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians, we must first look at the Scripture passages that introduce the Bible reader to this extraordinary gift from God. read more »
Romans Chapter Four Versus James Chapter Two-Can They Be Reconciled?
There probably aren’t two more diametrically opposed points of view in all the Scriptures about how salvation is obtained than Romans four and James two. Over the years many theologians have attempted to reconcile these two seemingly opposite methods of salvation. Martin Luther struggled with this so much that he at one point was ready to throw the book of James right out of the Bible because it did not match up well with Paul’s doctrine of being saved by grace through faith. Paul writes in Romans four that a man is saved by faith apart from works and he uses Abraham as his example. James, on the other hand, writes in James chapter two that one is not saved by faith alone. Works are required to validate faith and James also uses Abraham as his example. Well, who is right and who is wrong?
Confessing Our Sins
Many people understand that 1 John 1:9 is to be taken as instructions for the believer in this age of Grace. The act of confessing is taken as a step for renewing our fellowship with God after we have broken that fellowship by sinning. When we confess our sins, He will forgive and cleanse us and the fellowship will be renewed.
I feel, however, that there are many problems with this particular interpretation and think there is a better, more Scripturally consistent way to deal with this verse. read more »
In Answer to “Hyperdispensationalism and the Authority of Christ”
This article is in answer to criticism of Bob DeWaay directed toward those who believe the Church, the Body of Christ was formed mid-Acts. His article can be found at: http://www.cicministry.org/commentary/issue108.htm
