Most likely, the earliest Gospel was written by John Mark of Jerusalem, helper to both Peter and Paul. The time was probably A.D. 65-67 and the purpose was to inspire believers in Rome against whom Emperor Nero had unleashed a wave of horrific persecution after having executed the two apostles mentioned above (see Acts 12:12; 2 Tim. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:13). Mark's is the only canonical Gospel with a title: "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (Mark 1:1). Early church tradition says that Mark wrote what Peter preached. Peter himself hints at plans for something like that (2 … [Read more...]
GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING
That's what you give loved ones when you give books by Edward Fudge. Choose from the following (see pictures and descriptions at www.EdwardFudge.com/written ). GracEmail: Daily Answers to Life's Big Questions (HillCrest Publications) The Great Rescue: The Story of God's Amazing Grace (New Leaf Books) The Sound of His Voice: Discovering the Secrets of God's Guidance (New Leaf) Two Views of Hell, co-authored with Robert Peterson (InterVarsity Press) The Fire That Consumes (Paternoster Press edition). To order using major credit card for shipment anywhere, call toll-free (in U.S.) … [Read more...]
CHURCHES OF CHRIST AND BAPTISM
A New Zealander writes, "I was wondering what statements of faith are held to by Churches of Christ. Down here they strike me as pretty odd. They believe in baptismal regeneration and consequently not in the baptism in the Spirit (which is what I call regeneration)." * * * As a nondenominational fellowship of autonomous congregations (among whom I live and serve), Churches of Christ and Independent Christian Churches have no written creed or statement of faith, which results in wide diversity on a number of subjects. In the past, their preaching often focused more on water baptism and the … [Read more...]
BIBLE INSPIRED (2)
A gracEmail subscriber in Arkansas writes, "I've always been taught that the Bible was divinely given word by word (I think this is called verbal inspiration). But some passages just sound like a believer pouring out his heart to others. Could you offer some thoughts on inspiration and the Bible?" * * * Just as Jesus was both human and divine, so Scripture is written by men although it is called "the Word of God." But God used ordinary men to write it, men who usually had no idea that they were writing Scripture. The Bible includes a wide variety of ordinary types of literature, composed … [Read more...]
MORE ON THE UNPARDONABLE SIN
A gracEmail subscriber asks about the sin which will never be forgiven, mentioned in Matthew 12:31-32 and Mark 3:28-30. What is the "unpardonable sin?" Can someone commit it today? * * * This is the only time the Bible specifically states that a sin will never be forgiven. The situation involved unbelieving religious leaders who accused Jesus of performing miracles by the power of the devil, when in truth Jesus was empowered by the Spirit of God. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews refers to a similar condition, in the case of one who permanently rejects Christ after encountering him … [Read more...]
UNPARDONABLE SIN
A gracEmail subscriber asks: "What is the sin mentioned in Matthew 12:31-32 which Jesus says will never be forgiven?" * * * This warning statement follows Jesus' exorcism/healing of a man who had been both blind and mute (Matt. 12:32). Since the Pharisees reject Jesus' authority as a teacher, they cannot afford to acknowledge the divine source that empowers his works. Yet they cannot deny the superhuman work Jesus has just performed. Caught in this dilemma, the Pharisees charge that Jesus is working as an agent of Satan (v. 34). Jesus responds that it makes no sense for Satan to fight … [Read more...]
SANCTIFICATION AND LAW
A gracEmail subscriber asks: "What role does the Law of God given through Moses play in our sanctification? Should the believer continually revisit the Law in order to remain convicted of sin? Or is that out of place for one who has been liberated from the penalty of the Law?" * * * Galatians 5 tells us that Christ has freed us from law as a governing (and always condemning) principle. Instead we are to live by the Spirit and "walk" by the Spirit. The chapter ends by describing what a person who lives by the Spirit will not do ("works of the flesh") and the traits that such a life will … [Read more...]
SIN’S DOUBLE CURE – 2
Do you remember the story of the adulterous woman whom Jesus forgave and gave a second chance? Although the story is not in the oldest and best Greek manuscripts, we still love it, for it sounds like something that we imagine the Savior doing and saying. It also illustrates Jesus' two-part remedy for sin referred to by the beloved hymn "Rock of Ages" in the lines: "Be of sin the double cure; cleanse me from its guilt and power." Whether or not Jesus personally spoke the words, "Go and sin no more," they express his message, and the message of the New Testament Scriptures as a whole. … [Read more...]
SIN’S DOUBLE CURE – 1
Those who write enduring hymns and spiritual songs usually reflect their highest ideals and their moments of deepest intimacy with God. For that reason, we sometimes find ourselves singing words that overstate our own true commitment, challenge our actual spiritual state and convict us of our present laziness and mediocrity. Anglican clergyman Augustus M. Toplady (1740-1778) expressed just such sentiments in his well-known hymn, "Rock of Ages," when he requested that Jesus Christ who is that refuge: "Be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure." Because the meaning of … [Read more...]
FREEDOM FROM SIN’S POWER
"How can I overcome temptation to sin?" a gracEmail reader wonders. "No matter how hard I try to resist, I still do what is wrong." * * * Every conscientious Christian asks the same question at some time. The only key to victory over sin is the supernatural power of God, available to us because of Jesus our representative and accessed by faith. Remember that Satan's power over humankind flows from human sin and it ends at the tomb. Jesus never came under Satan's power because he did not sin. When Jesus died, he entered Satan's stronghold as a conquering invader rather than as a bound victim. … [Read more...]
