Personal Evangelism

Posted on October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 by markwchristy

While it would be nice if every unbeliever were to ask questions related to salvation, the reality is most do not. Given this, I find myself always seeking ways to steer my conversations toward eternal matters, especially those related to salvation. Christ Himself initiated the gospel presentation in His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). Afterward, He identified her spiritual need, confronted her sin, and offered her mercy and salvation. Broadly speaking, every call to...

Why was Jesus Born and Why Did He Die?

Posted on October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 by markwchristy

Since the Fall of Adam and Eve, humanity has been living under the curse of death and trapped in a totally depraved state (Gen 3:16-19; Rom 3:10-18). The hearts and minds of humanity became fully defiled, utterly deceitful, full of evil, darkened in understanding, wicked in every intention, and completely without knowledge (Gen 6:5; 8:21; Eccl 9:3; Jer 17:9; Rom 1:28-31; Eph 4:17-18; Titus 1:15-16). As fallen sinners, we are all born slaves to sin (John 8:34; Rom 6; Titus 3:3). In our fleshly, ...

Do the Ordinances Play a Role in Salvation?

Posted on October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 by markwchristy

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper The Bible clearly declares that salvation is by grace through faith alone (Rom 3:22-30; 4:5; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-9; Phil 3:9). In other words, no act (ritualistic or otherwise) is necessary for salvation. In addition, no act aids salvation in any manner. In Peter’s sermon in Acts 3:12-26, never once does he mention the necessity of water baptism or the Lord’s Supper for salvation. In Paul’s concise summary of gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, he likewise fails to me...

Lord’s Supper

Posted on October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 by markwchristy

This ordinance replaced the Passover. The Passover, the oldest of all Jewish festivals, commemorated God’s provision of a substitute for, His protection from His wrath against, and His deliverance of His people from their bondage to the Egyptians. From the Passover, Jews learned that judgment requires bloodshed that could come from a substitute. All of this foreshadowed God’s provision through Christ. Shortly before His death, Christ celebrated the Passover with His disciples, transformed it...

Baptism

Posted on October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 by markwchristy

Being baptized (Rom 6:3) into Christ means being immersed into Christ (Note: The Greek word for baptism in the Apostolic era was associated with a person drowning or a ship sinking, so the idea of immersion is present). Paul puts this another way in 1 Corinthians 6:17 by stating that believers are united with Christ in spirit. In Galatians 2:20, Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the S...

Scripture – Usefulness

Posted on October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 by markwchristy

Psalm 19:7-14 offers a great overview on the usefulness of Scripture. In v.7, we learn that Scripture is “perfect” (i.e complete) and it “restores the soul”. Scripture contains everything we need to maintain right belief, right action, and right character. It has the ability to revive (transform) one’s inner person and correctly conform him/her to Christ (i.e. the person God wants them to be). As Romans, 6:15-18 states, Scripture offers a “pattern of teaching” that sets us free from bondage to ...

Scripture – Authority

Posted on October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 by markwchristy

Throughout the Bible, God declares Himself to be the only God (Ex 20:3-6). Likewise, Jesus declares Himself to be only Way to God (John 14:6). In 1 Corinthians 12:13, we are told that Christians are “all baptized by one Spirit.” Our Triune God, therefore, is exclusively God and therefore serves as the exclusive authority governing all things. As God’s word (cf. previous discussion in 1a), the Bible alone offers an authoritative message that is perfect (Ps 18:30), holy (Jer 23:9), righteous (Ps ...

Scripture – Inspiration and Truthfulness

Posted on October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 by markwchristy

The Bible is completely reliable (2 Pet 1:19) as its origin is in the will of God and its contents, though written by humans, came from the ministry of the Holy Spirit who delivered the spoken word of God (2 Pet 1:21). Paul therefore declares, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). Throughout Scripture, we find many other phrases demonstrating that the Bible is the spoken Word of God, e.g. “This is what the Lo...

Learning How to Pray (Luke 11:1-4)

Posted on October 22, 2020March 17, 2021 by markwchristy

“It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” And He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. ‘Give us each day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’” (Luke 11:1-4 NASB) In Luke 11:1-4, Jesus teaches the disciple...

The Inward Battle for Proper Placement of Hope

Posted on October 22, 2020October 22, 2020 by markwchristy

Faced with extreme adversity, Job’s hope begins to faulter: Job 6:11-13 NASB ““What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should endure? Is my strength the strength of stones, Or is my flesh bronze? Is it that my help is not within me, And that deliverance is driven from me?” Job seemingly lost everything and was despairing of life. He looks around himself and sees no hope. He sees an utter lack of strength within himself. He for now is struggling to place his hop...