The family church experience
A Unique Calling. Galatians 1:13-17. Dear Royal Priesthood, We continue with Paul’s defense of the gospel he preaches. He has clearly stated that no other version of the gospel is acceptable, whether from him, from another, whoever that other maybe, even an angel.Paul now wants his readers to understand that he did not come naturally upon…
The Origin of Paul’s Gospel. Galatians 1:11-12. Dear Members of the Household of Faith, The Apostle Paul is unique among the apostles of the Lord Jesus because he is the only one who was not with the rest from “the baptism of John to that day when He (the Lord) was up” (Acts 1:22). This…
The Gravity of a False Gospel Galatians 1:8-10. Dear Royal Priests, Having identified the problem the Galatians are dealing with, and knowing the source of the problem, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that there are situations that cannot be handled with kid gloves. Anything that threatens the core of the faith must be dealt with…
The Reality of Deviation Galatians 1:6-7 Dear Soldiers in the Lord’s Army, Paul wrote thirteen letters that we still have (Hebrews is claimed by some also to have been written by Paul but that is not certain). In pretty much all of them, Paul either makes a statement of thanksgiving for the intended reader(s), makes a…
A Purposeful Sacrifice. Galatians 1:4-5. Dear People whom God Bought with His own Blood, Today’s theme develops from the mention in the previous passage of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father gives grace and peace. In a sense, Paul is saying that Christ is able to grant grace and peace because he earned…
Christ-Centered Greetings. Galatians 1:1-3. Dear People Who Are Called by the Name, Today we start a new series in Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia. This is possibly the earliest of Paul’s letters, with the letter of James the only earlier New Testament book. Apostle* (v. 1). Paul identifies himself as an apostle. An apostle is a person…
Apply what you Know 2 Peter 3:17-18 Dear Heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, We conclude 2 Peter with an exhortation to apply knowledge. It is great to have knowledge but unless that knowledge is put to proper use, it is useless. We are encouraged to apply knowledge in our walk, in order to avoid an…
The Need to Understand scripture 2 Peter 3:15-16 Dear Strangers and Aliens in this world, As we approach the end of this letter, Peter draws our attention back to the word of God. However, it is not entirely the word of God as the Jewish people knew it, because for them the Old Testament was the…
The Promise of a New Home 2 Peter 3:13-14 Dear Saints, We have seen that the Day of the Lord will bring calamity on those who do not believe because the fire of God’s judgment will consume the enemies of God. But for believers, it will be the exact opposite. Promise (v. 13). God has promised…
The Coming Day of the Lord 2 Peter 3:10-12 Dear Chosen Ones, We look today at the drama that will unfold in the last days. Our present circumstances can be labeled the calm before the storm. To survive that upheaval, one needs to prepare beforehand. When the calamity comes upon the world, it will be too…