As Paul continues to recount his experiences in Jerusalem, we learn that the gospel message he had been proclaiming – of justification by faith alone for both the Jew and Gentile – was ultimately accepted by the other Apostles: “when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was...
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul describes himself as the least of the apostles because he persecuted the church of God (1 Cor. 15:9). However, after Paul’s eyes were opened to the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, he became a new creation, zealous for good works and the spread of...
As Paul moves into a defense of his gospel against the criticisms of his opponents, he gives a brief autobiography detailing the events surrounding his conversion. He explains that though he formerly “was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent” of Christianity, he nevertheless “received mercy” – being transformed into one of...
As Paul begins his letter to the Galatians, his feelings are unmistakable: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel” (Gal. 1:6). He is quick to address the fact that the Galatians, by adding good...
Paul’s epistle to the Galatians sought to address a major problem facing the early church. Because of false teachers, the church was quickly abandoning the gospel of grace, of justification by faith alone, in favor of a gospel of works and law. However, even in the introduction to his letter, Paul is quick to...
Although the devil is called the “father of lies” (John 8:44), he is also known as the “accuser of our brothers”. His job has always been to accuse the saints based on the correct understanding that the penalty of sin requires judgment and spiritual death. However, through Christ’s death, resurrection,...
Jesus, the baby born in the lowly manger, was the great plot twist in redemption’s story. The promise of a Messiah was made all the way back in the garden, in Genesis 3:15, and stretches across the pages of the Old Testament. Even in the final book of Scripture, we see a...
Philemon, the shortest of all Paul’s writings in the New Testament, is unfamiliar to most Christians, usually because of its brevity or because it doesn’t seem stand out like other epistles such as Romans or Ephesians. However, in this beautiful letter we find one of the most striking examples of...
When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the church at Pentecost, believers were empowered to be witnesses of the gospel of Jesus Christ, spreading the good news of the kingdom of God throughout the earth (Acts 1:8). And even in the face of severe persecution that broke out against the early church...