Mike, I always find the John 6 passages so profound. It would be interesting to build a whole evangelistic study around that chapter, and some of the parallel passages in John. Good examples of “alētheia”, particularly profound Biblical truth can be seen in Luke 24, although Luke doesn’t actually say Jesus used that word. But… Continue reading By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error
Category: Confessions and Catechisms
Faithful
Good points Mike.
Rarely does one see good teaching from Revelation. For that I also highly recommend Dr Dilday’s studies. https://www.fromreformationtoreformation.com/revelationBtw many years ago, Old John Gill comments on Nicolas in Acts 6…….and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch; who was first a Greek or Gentile, and then became a Jew, a proselyte of righteousness, and then a Christian, and now made a deacon. Some think, that from this man sprung the sect of the Nicolaitanes, spoken of in the Revelations; though others think, that that wicked set of men only covered themselves with his name, or that they abused some words of his, and perverted the right meaning of them; though was it certain he did turn out a wicked man, it is not to be wondered at, that since there was a devil among the twelve apostles, there should be a hypocrite and a vicious man among the first seven deacons. It is observable, that the names of all these deacons are Greek names; from whence, it seems, that they were of the Grecian or Hellenistic Jews; so that the church thought fit to chose men out of that part of them which made the complaint, in order to make them easy; which is an instance of prudence and condescension, and shows of what excellent spirits they were of.
by Mike Ratliff
10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 (NASB)
Pistos is the Greek adjective translated in Revelation 2:10 (above) as “faithful.” Pistos is defined as “faithful, trustworthy, reliable, dependable.” In the context of Revelation 2:10, 13, which are our Lord’s own words, to be “faithful” is to refuse to compromise the Christian faith, even in the face of persecution and martyrdom. In this day of superstar or what some call “Rock Star” Christian leaders whose popularity is based upon their willingness to dilute the Christian faith with the world and its ways or even by blending in the cultic ways of other…
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Christian Character
Mike you ended the year with two home runs. These discussions of honor and character and today’s Pelagians ring true.
https://mikeratliff.wordpress.com/2021/12/29/the-pelagian-captivity-of-the-church/
I only wish I had a close group of friends in our church I could share and discuss these ideas with locally.
by Mike Ratliff
18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. 19 And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:18-21 (NASB)
R.C. Sproul shared the following story in the September 2007 issue of Tabletalk magazine. “Several years ago I was participating in a discussion with some business men in Jackson, Mississippi. In the course of the conversation, one of the…
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There is only one Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
Great message as we roll into the end of the year. Paul also had a few words about the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15. And Romans 1:16-17. And Manfred is right….” concept of Scripture not ever contradicting itself” Is huge and is often revealed as one uses context well.
by Mike Ratliff
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:8-12 (NASB)
The title of this article may…
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Rainbow Trout 