Articles

Part Two: Paul’s Message of Comfort, Repentance, Reconciliation, and the Sufficiency of God’s Grace By: Junior Tate Introduction: The Story of Corinth Was Not Finished When I finished looking at 1 Corinthians, the story of this troubled church was far from over. Paul had confronted division, immorality, lawsuits between believers, confusion concerning Christian liberty, disorder at the Lord’s Supper, misuse of spiritual gifts, and questions concerning the resurrection. His words were strong because the problems were serious, but behind that correction was a man who genuinely loved these people and wanted to see them walking faithfully with Jesus Christ. Second Corinthians allows us to see that side of Paul more clearly. While 1 Corinthians focuses heavily upon problems within the congregation, 2 Corinthians is much more personal. Paul speaks openly about suffering, discouragement, forgiveness, repentance, reconciliation, opposition, weakness, and the grace of God that sustained him through everything he endured. Paul had not enjoyed correcting the Corinthians. In fact, he tells us that his previous words had been written through tremendous emotional pain. 2 Corinthians 2:4 KJV “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.” That verse helps me understand the heart behind both Corinthian letters. Paul did not confront sin because he enjoyed confrontation. He did it because he loved the people involved. His desire was not simply to make them feel guilty but to see them repent, be restored, and grow in Christ. Second Corinthians therefore gives us an important look at what happens after difficult correction has been given. It also gives us some of the greatest teaching in Scripture concerning suffering and weakness. Paul had discovered through experience that God’s strength is not limited by human weakness, and that sometimes God does not remove the burden we are carrying because He intends to demonstrate that His grace is sufficient to carry us through it. What Happened After 1 Corinthians? The events between 1 and 2 Corinthians are not recorded for us in one continuous historical account, so I believe we should be careful not to claim certainty about every detail. What Scripture does make clear is that Paul’s relationship with Corinth went through a painful period. Paul refers to a difficult visit when he writes: 2 Corinthians 2:1 KJV “But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.” He also speaks of writing to them out of “affliction and anguish of heart” and “with many tears.” Whatever the complete sequence of events may have been, serious tension had developed between Paul and at least some within the congregation. During this period, Titus became especially important. Paul was anxious to hear how the Corinthians had responded, and when Titus eventually brought encouraging news, Paul was greatly comforted. 2 Corinthians 7:6-7 KJV “Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.” Something was changing in Corinth. Paul’s correction had hurt, but it had not been wasted. Many of the Corinthians had taken his words seriously, and the sorrow produced by that correction was beginning to lead them toward repentance. There were still problems. Paul would have to defend his apostleship against people who questioned his authority and attempted to turn the congregation against him. Yet 2 Corinthians shows that correction had begun accomplishing its intended purpose. The God of All Comfort Paul begins the letter by speaking about something he understood personally: suffering. He does not teach that following Christ means Christians will escape trouble. Instead, he points us toward the God who meets His people in the middle of it. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 KJV “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” Paul could call God “the God of all comfort” because he had needed that comfort himself. His ministry included persecution, rejection, physical suffering, opposition, disappointment, and the constant burden he carried for the churches. His faithfulness to Christ had not protected him from pain, but his suffering had taught him where genuine comfort could be found. Paul also shows us that God’s comfort can accomplish something beyond helping us survive our own difficulty. The comfort we receive from God can prepare us to minister to someone else. There are experiences we would never choose for ourselves, yet God can use them. Someone who has walked through grief may later be able to sit beside another grieving person with an understanding that cannot be learned merely from a book. Someone who has endured a difficult season may be able to tell another struggling believer from personal experience that God remains faithful. Paul himself had experienced circumstances so severe that he described being “pressed out of measure, above strength.” Yet those experiences taught him not to place his confidence in himself, but in God. The Christian life is not a promise that we will never be pressed beyond what we believe we can handle. It is the assurance that when our strength is insufficient, God’s strength is not. Forgiveness After Correction One of the most important lessons in 2 Corinthians concerns what should happen when correction produces repentance. Paul had previously called for serious sin within the congregation to be confronted, but he did not want discipline to become permanent condemnation. He writes: 2 Corinthians 2:6-8 KJV “Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought … Read more

Part One: How Paul Confronted Division, Sin, Spiritual Confusion, and Called the Church Back to Christ Introduction: A Church Surrounded by the World When I read 1 Corinthians, I see a church that had been wonderfully reached by the Gospel but was struggling to separate its new life in Jesus Christ from the culture surrounding it. These believers had heard the truth from the Apostle Paul himself. They had experienced the grace of God, possessed spiritual gifts, and gathered together as a church, yet serious problems had developed among them. Division, pride, sexual immorality, lawsuits between believers, questions concerning marriage, disagreements over Christian liberty, disorder at the Lord’s Supper, confusion surrounding spiritual gifts, and even questions about the resurrection had entered the congregation. That is one reason I believe 1 Corinthians remains so important for the church today. The world around us has changed tremendously since the first century, but human nature has not. Churches can still become divided over personalities and preferences. Christians can still allow the standards of the surrounding culture to influence what they accept. Spiritual gifts and knowledge can still become sources of pride rather than opportunities to serve others. We can still become so occupied with what everyone else is doing that we fail to examine ourselves. Paul did not respond to the problems at Corinth by giving up on the church. Neither did he pretend that their problems were unimportant. He loved them enough to confront what was wrong and patiently teach them what was right. Throughout the letter, he continually brings them back to Jesus Christ and reminds them that the Gospel should affect not only what they believe but also how they live. 1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Paul was not writing to a perfect church. He was writing to a troubled church that needed correction, instruction, and spiritual growth. In many ways, that is what makes this letter so valuable to us. Corinth shows us what can happen when believers begin allowing the attitudes of the world to enter the church, but it also shows us how the Word of God can confront those problems and call God’s people back to Christ. Corinth: Understanding the City Behind the Letter To understand 1 Corinthians properly, I believe we need to know something about the city itself. Corinth was located in an important position in Greece near the narrow stretch of land connecting the northern and southern portions of the country. Its location made it a natural center for trade and travel, and people from many different backgrounds passed through the area. Commerce brought prosperity, but it also brought an enormous mixture of cultures, religions, philosophies, and moral practices. Corinth was therefore a place where the Gospel could spread in many directions, but it was also a difficult environment in which to establish a Christian congregation. Pagan religion was deeply rooted in the surrounding society, and sexual immorality was widely associated with the city’s reputation. The believers in Corinth had been saved out of that environment, but becoming a Christian did not mean that every influence of their former lives immediately disappeared. That background helps us understand why Paul speaks so strongly about the change salvation should produce. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” The words “And such were some of you,” are especially important to me. Paul does not pretend these people had no past. Some had come out of very sinful lifestyles, but their past was no longer supposed to control their future. They had been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of Jesus Christ. Grace had not simply changed their destination. Grace was supposed to change their direction. That principle is just as important today. Christians still live in a world that constantly pressures us to accept its standards, values, and definitions of right and wrong. The church cannot isolate itself completely from the people it is called to reach, but neither can it allow the culture it is trying to reach to determine what it believes. God’s Word must remain our standard. How the Church at Corinth Began The beginning of the Corinthian church is recorded in Acts 18 during Paul’s second missionary journey. When Paul arrived in Corinth, he met Aquila and Priscilla, a Jewish couple who had recently come from Italy because Emperor Claudius had ordered the Jews to leave Rome. Because they shared Paul’s occupation of tentmaking, he stayed and worked with them while continuing to preach. Acts 18:2-3 KJV “And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.” Paul initially reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, seeking to persuade both Jews and Greeks. When opposition increased, however, the ministry continued. During this difficult period, the Lord spoke directly to Paul in a vision. Acts 18:9-10 KJV “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in … Read more

Jeremiah’s Prophecy of Israel’s Preservation and Future Restoration By: Junior Tate When I read the book of Jeremiah, one of the things that stands out to me is how serious Israel’s rebellion against God had become and, at the same time, how faithful God remained to the promises He had made. Jeremiah was not preaching during one of Israel’s greatest spiritual periods. He was ministering during a very dark time when idolatry, rebellion, and rejection of God’s Word had become deeply rooted among the people. God had warned them repeatedly through His prophets, but they continued down the same path, and eventually judgment could no longer be delayed. Jerusalem would suffer. The temple would be destroyed. Many of the people would be carried into Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah himself would live to see much of the judgment he had warned about become reality. Yet when we read Jeremiah carefully, we discover something that I believe is extremely important to understanding Bible prophecy. In the very same book where God announces judgment against Israel and Judah, He also gives some of the strongest promises in the entire Bible concerning their preservation, restoration, and future. That tells me that we have to make a distinction between God judging His people and God abandoning His people. Those are not the same thing. I believe this distinction is important because there are those today who teach that Israel’s rebellion caused God to permanently set the nation aside and transfer every promise concerning Israel to someone else. But when I read Jeremiah, I have a difficult time reaching that conclusion. God certainly judged Israel for sin, and Jeremiah never attempts to hide or minimize that fact. Yet God also continued speaking about Israel’s future, their return, their restoration, the New Covenant, the throne of David, and the day when Israel would dwell securely under the rule of the Messiah. One passage in particular brings the entire subject into focus. Jeremiah 31:35 through 37 (KJV) “Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.” Every time I read those verses, I am struck by the strength of the language God chose to use. God does not base Israel’s continued existence before Him upon Israel’s ability to remain perfectly faithful. In fact, He specifically mentions “all that they have done.” God knew their history, their rebellion, and everything that would follow, yet He still tied Israel’s continued existence as a nation before Him to the established order of creation. In other words, if we want to know whether God has forgotten Israel, He tells us to look at something much bigger than the political condition of the world. He points us toward the sun, moon, stars, heavens, and earth. From my understanding of Scripture, God is telling us that His faithfulness to what He has spoken is more dependable than anything man can accomplish or destroy. That is where I want to begin this study, because the real subject is larger than Israel. At its heart, this is a study of the faithfulness of God. Jeremiah Preached During a Time of Coming Judgment To understand the importance of these promises, we first need to understand the setting in which Jeremiah received them. Jeremiah was not looking at a righteous nation and simply telling them that God had wonderful plans for their future. He was preaching to Judah while the nation was moving closer to judgment, and the northern kingdom of Israel had already experienced devastating consequences because of its rebellion. God described the spiritual condition of His people in very strong language. Jeremiah 2:11 through 13 (KJV) “Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” When I read those words, I do not see God making excuses for Israel. He tells us exactly what they had done. They had turned away from the fountain of living waters and had chosen something that could never satisfy them. Yet something else catches my attention in this passage. Even while describing their rebellion, God still calls them “my people.” That did not mean judgment would be avoided. Covenant privilege did not give Israel permission to live however they pleased. In fact, their relationship with God made their rebellion even more serious because they had received His Word, His law, His promises, and His blessings. Jeremiah spent much of his ministry warning Judah that Babylon was coming. Jerusalem would eventually fall, the temple would be burned, and many of the people would be taken away from the land. God had warned them, and He would carry out that judgment just as He said He would. This is why I do not believe we should ever talk about Israel’s future without acknowledging Israel’s past rebellion. Scripture certainly does not ignore it. At the same time, we should not talk about Israel’s rebellion while ignoring what God said He would do afterward. If we read only the judgment passages, we are not allowing Jeremiah to give us the whole picture. The question is not whether Israel deserved judgment. They did, and God … Read more

Tracing the Biblical Promise That God Would Put His Name There Forever By: Junior Tate Few cities in Scripture carry the theological and prophetic significance of Jerusalem. Many important cities appear throughout the Bible, including Babylon, Nineveh, Damascus, and Rome, but Jerusalem occupies a place unlike any other. Its importance does not come from the perfection of its inhabitants, because Jerusalem repeatedly witnessed rebellion, idolatry, corruption, and rejection of God’s messengers. Its significance comes from the fact that God Himself chose the city, associated His name with it, established His temple there, connected it with the throne of David, judged it when His people rebelled, and continued speaking through the prophets concerning its future. Jerusalem does not possess saving power. Scripture never teaches that a person is reconciled to God simply because he lives in Jerusalem, visits Jerusalem, supports Jerusalem, or reveres Jerusalem. Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone. Neither does Scripture teach that God is physically confined to Jerusalem. Solomon plainly acknowledged that even the heaven and heaven of heavens could not contain God. Nevertheless, those truths do not erase what God Himself said concerning the city. God repeatedly declared that He had chosen Jerusalem and that He would place His name there. He connected the city with His sanctuary, the ark of the covenant, the house of David, and the worship of Israel. Even after Jerusalem was judged and the temple was destroyed, Daniel still referred to it as the city called by God’s name. Nehemiah continued speaking of it as the place God had chosen, while later prophets foretold a future in which the Lord would again dwell in Jerusalem and rule in connection with the city. For that reason, the phrase “God’s name in Jerusalem” deserves careful attention. It is not merely an expression associated with Solomon’s temple. It forms part of a covenant thread that runs through the Law of Moses, the historical books, the Psalms, the prophets, the ministry of Jesus Christ, and biblical prophecy concerning the future kingdom. The central question is not whether Jerusalem has sinned, because Scripture plainly records that it has. The question is not whether Jerusalem has suffered judgment, because that is also clearly recorded. The deeper question is whether Israel’s failure caused God to abandon His declared choice of Jerusalem, or whether judgment took place within a larger covenant purpose that God Himself intends to complete. I do not want to answer that question by forcing a theological system onto the text. I want us to open the Bible, notice exactly what God says, and let Scripture speak for itself. What It Means for God to Put His Name Somewhere When Scripture speaks of God placing His name in a particular location, it means far more than placing a written title upon a building. Throughout the Bible, God’s name is connected with His authority, character, reputation, worship, ownership, and revealed presence. Therefore, when God says that He will put His name somewhere, He is identifying that place in a special way with Himself and with His covenant purposes. At the same time, Scripture makes it clear that God cannot be contained inside a temple or confined to a single geographical location. Solomon understood this when he dedicated the temple. 1 Kings 8:27 through 30 (KJV) “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day: That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place. And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.” Solomon understood that God’s actual dwelling could not be reduced to a building. He prayed to the God who hears from Heaven. Yet in the same prayer he acknowledged that God had chosen a specific place and had declared concerning it, “My name shall be there.” This distinction is important. God’s choice of Jerusalem does not limit His presence. Instead, it reveals His sovereign decision to associate Jerusalem with His covenant dealings, His worship, and His purposes for Israel. The Chosen Place Was Promised Before Jerusalem Was Named Long before Israel possessed Jerusalem, God told the nation that He would choose a place where His name would dwell. Moses repeatedly spoke of this future place while Israel was preparing to enter the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 12:5 through 7 (KJV) “But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.” The wording is very specific. Israel would not decide for itself where the central place of worship should be. God said that He would choose the place. Once chosen, that place would be connected with His name and with the worship He had commanded Israel to offer. This reveals an important covenant principle. The land belonged to God. The worship belonged to God. The sacrifices were commanded by God. The place where His name would dwell would also be chosen by … Read more

The Celebration of Christ and His Redeemed Among all the glorious events described in the book of Revelation, few are as joyful as the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. After the judgments of the Tribulation, the defeat of Babylon, and the preparation for Christ’s return, heaven pauses to celebrate the eternal union between the Lord Jesus Christ and His redeemed people. It is a scene of rejoicing, worship, and fulfillment that stands in sharp contrast to the judgment that soon falls upon the rebellious nations at Armageddon. Throughout Scripture, marriage is used as a beautiful picture of God’s relationship with His people. The Old Testament often describes Israel as the wife of Jehovah, while the New Testament presents the Church as the Bride of Christ. These illustrations reveal God’s love, faithfulness, and desire for an everlasting relationship with those He has redeemed. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is not simply another prophetic event. It is the celebration of God’s completed work of redemption. The One who gave Himself upon the cross now receives His Bride, and the relationship that began through faith reaches its glorious fulfillment in His presence. John records this wonderful scene in Revelation 19. Revelation 19:7-9 (KJV) “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” These verses remind us that God’s plan of redemption does not end with judgment. Judgment removes sin and rebellion, but God’s ultimate purpose has always been fellowship with His redeemed people. The Marriage Supper celebrates that completed relationship. Faithful Bible believing Christians have held different views concerning certain details surrounding this event, including the identity of the Bride and the timing of the Marriage Supper. From my understanding of Scripture, I believe the Bride is the New Testament Church, redeemed by the blood of Christ and caught up to be with Him before the Tribulation. I also believe the redeemed of all ages will share in the joy of Christ’s kingdom, even though Scripture distinguishes the Church as the Bride. In this article, we will examine what the Bible teaches about the Bridegroom, the Bride, the Jewish wedding customs that beautifully illustrate God’s plan, the Marriage Supper itself, and what this glorious celebration means for believers today. Above all, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb reminds us that our future is not centered upon judgment, but upon Jesus Christ. The One who loved us, redeemed us, and prepared a place for us will one day receive His people into His presence forever. What began with grace at the cross culminates in eternal fellowship with our Savior, where joy will never end and the redeemed will celebrate the faithfulness of God throughout all eternity. Part One Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom The beautiful picture of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb did not begin in the book of Revelation. Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus identified Himself as the Bridegroom, preparing His followers to understand the intimate and everlasting relationship He would establish with those who belong to Him. In Bible times, the image of a bridegroom was one of love, commitment, and joyful expectation. A bridegroom willingly entered into a covenant relationship with his bride, promising to receive her into his home and share his life with her. The New Testament uses this familiar picture to illustrate Christ’s love for His people and His promise that one day He will receive them into His presence forever. John the Baptist was among the first to identify Jesus as the Bridegroom. John 3:28-29 (KJV) “Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.” John understood that his ministry was to prepare the way for Christ. He compared himself to the friend of the Bridegroom, whose purpose was to rejoice when the Bridegroom came for His bride. His joy was found not in drawing attention to himself, but in pointing people to Jesus Christ. Jesus also referred to Himself as the Bridegroom. Matthew 9:14-15 (KJV) “Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” Jesus explained that His presence among His disciples was a time of rejoicing rather than mourning. Yet He also foretold that the Bridegroom would one day be taken away, pointing to His death, resurrection, and return to heaven. Even in this early stage of His ministry, Jesus was preparing His followers for the future reunion that would one day take place. Perhaps one of the clearest illustrations is found in the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Matthew 25:1, 6 (KJV) “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.” “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” The central emphasis of this parable is readiness. The Bridegroom is coming, and those who belong to Him must be prepared. Although faithful Bible students differ on every detail of this parable, its primary message is clear. Jesus Christ will return, and His people are to live in eager expectation of His coming. … Read more

By: Junior Tate What the Early Church Endured for the Name of Jesus The book of Acts records the birth, growth, persecution, endurance, and expansion of the early Church. It begins with the risen Jesus Christ commissioning His disciples to be witnesses and ends with the apostle Paul preaching the kingdom of God while under Roman custody. Between those two points, Acts records an unmistakable truth; following Jesus Christ could be costly. The early Christians did not follow Christ because discipleship promised them an easy life. They followed Him because they believed He had risen from the dead and that He alone was Lord and Saviour. Their faith brought them into conflict with religious authorities, political rulers, violent mobs, false accusers, prison systems, and a culture that often rejected the Gospel they preached. Some were threatened. Some were beaten. Some lost freedom. Some were driven from their homes. Some were imprisoned. Some were falsely accused. Some were stoned. Some were killed. Yet persecution did not silence the Gospel. The book of Acts is not primarily a book about suffering. It is a book about the continuing work of Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost and His witnesses. However, suffering repeatedly appears because the Gospel entered a world that did not always welcome its message. The cost of following Christ in Acts therefore cannot be separated from the mission Christ gave His followers. Christ Called His Disciples to Be Witnesses Before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He told His disciples that they would receive power from the Holy Ghost and become His witnesses. Acts 1:6-8 (KJV)“When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” The mission was enormous. They were to begin in Jerusalem, the very city where Jesus had been rejected and crucified. From there the Gospel would move into Judaea, Samaria, and eventually toward the uttermost part of the earth. Jesus did not promise that everyone would welcome them. He promised power to witness. The word “witness” is important throughout Acts. These men testified to what they knew concerning Jesus Christ, especially His resurrection. Their message was not merely a philosophy or moral system. They declared that Jesus had died, risen from the dead, and was Lord. That testimony immediately began to create opposition. The Gospel Was Preached Boldly in Jerusalem After the Holy Ghost came at Pentecost, Peter preached publicly concerning Jesus Christ. Acts 2:22-24 (KJV)“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” Peter openly declared that Jesus had been crucified and raised from the dead. This was courageous because the same city had recently witnessed the crucifixion of Christ. The apostles were not preaching in a distant place where no one knew what had happened. They were speaking openly in Jerusalem. Thousands believed the Gospel, but opposition soon appeared. Peter and John Are Arrested for Preaching Jesus Acts chapter 3 records the healing of a lame man at the temple. Peter used the miracle as an opportunity to preach Christ. The religious authorities responded by arresting Peter and John. Acts 4:1-4 (KJV)“And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.And they laid hands on them,  and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.” The apostles were imprisoned because they preached Jesus and the resurrection. Notice the contrast. The preachers were arrested, but the Gospel continued working. They were put in custody, but many believed. Opposition could restrain the messengers temporarily, but it could not imprison the Word of God. Following Christ had already begun to cost the apostles their freedom. Peter Refuses to Stop Speaking of Christ The rulers questioned Peter and John and commanded them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Acts 4:18-20 (KJV)“And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” This passage establishes an important principle. The apostles respected authority, but when earthly authority commanded them to disobey God, their loyalty to God came first. They did not organize violence. They did not threaten the rulers. They simply refused to stop speaking about Jesus. Their words were direct: “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” For Peter and John, silence would have required disobedience to Christ. That is one of the costs of discipleship. There may be moments when faithfulness to Christ brings conflict with those who want the Christian message silenced. The apostles chose faithfulness. The Early Church Prayed for Boldness, Not an Easy Life After Peter and John were released, the believers gathered and prayed. Their prayer is revealing. They did not primarily … Read more

How the Old Testament Revealed the Coming of Jesus Christ By: Junior Tate The birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem was not the beginning of God’s plan of redemption. Bethlehem was the place where the promised Messiah entered the world in human flesh, but the promise of His coming had been revealed throughout the Old Testament for centuries. The Messiah was not an unexpected figure who suddenly appeared in the New Testament. God had already declared that a Redeemer would come. He revealed the family line through which the Messiah would be born, the tribe from which He would come, the royal throne He would inherit, the place of His birth, the nature of His ministry, the rejection He would experience, the suffering He would endure, the death He would die, and the victory He would accomplish. The Scriptures progressively revealed the identity and mission of the coming Christ. The first promise was given in the Garden of Eden. Later promises were given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and the prophets. As the centuries passed, God provided more detail, narrowing the line of promise until the Messiah was born in Bethlehem. The New Testament does not separate Jesus from these promises. It repeatedly declares that the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus fulfilled what had been written in the law, the prophets, and the Psalms. After His resurrection, Jesus spoke to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Luke 24:25-27 (KJV)“Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Jesus declared that Moses and the prophets had written concerning Him. The Old Testament was preparing the way for the Messiah long before the shepherds heard the angels announce His birth near Bethlehem. The message of Scripture is clear: Jesus Christ was promised before Bethlehem. The Meaning of Messiah The word “Messiah” refers to the Anointed One. In the Old Testament, kings, priests, and sometimes prophets were anointed for service. But the Scriptures also looked forward to one particular Anointed One who would fulfill God’s redemptive purpose. The New Testament word “Christ” carries the same meaning. Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One promised in the Scriptures. When Andrew found his brother Simon Peter, he made a powerful declaration. John 1:40-42 (KJV)“One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.” Andrew understood that the Messiah and the Christ were the same promised Person. The disciples did not invent this expectation. They had learned from the Scriptures that God would send His Anointed One. The First Promise of the Redeemer The first promise of the Messiah appears in the Garden of Eden immediately after mankind fell into sin. Adam and Eve had disobeyed God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Sin entered the human experience, and death followed. Yet during judgment, God spoke a promise concerning the future defeat of the serpent. Genesis 3:14-15 (KJV)“And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” This prophecy speaks of conflict between the serpent and the seed of the woman. The serpent would bruise His heel, but the seed of the woman would bruise the serpent’s head. A wound to the heel is painful, but a crushed head represents decisive defeat. This passage pointed forward to the suffering and victory of Christ. Jesus would suffer, but through His death and resurrection He would defeat Satan’s claim over fallen humanity. The phrase “her seed” is also significant. Throughout Scripture, descendants are normally connected to the father’s line, yet this promise speaks specifically of the seed of the woman. This prepared the way for the later revelation that the Messiah would be born of a virgin. The New Testament explains that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 (KJV)“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” The cross appeared to be Satan’s victory, but it became the place of his defeat. Through death, Christ destroyed the power of death. Hebrews 2:14-15 (KJV)“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Before there was Bethlehem, before there was Israel, before Abraham was called, and before the law was given, God had already promised the coming of the victorious Redeemer. The Promise Through Abraham God later called Abraham and made a covenant with him. Through Abraham, God began to reveal more concerning the family line of the Messiah. Genesis 12:1-3 (KJV)“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name … Read more

A Biblical Examination of Humanity’s Corruption and God’s Righteous Judgment By: Junior Tate Introduction The account of Noah and the Flood is one of the most well-known events in the Bible. Yet many people misunderstand why God brought judgment upon the earth. Some view the Flood as merely a story about a man building an ark and saving animals. However, Scripture reveals that the Flood was the result of a world that had become completely corrupted by sin, violence, rebellion, and wickedness. The Bible presents God as holy, righteous, just, and patient. He does not judge without cause. Before the Flood ever came, humanity had reached a point where evil dominated every aspect of society. God gave mankind opportunities to repent, but the world continued in rebellion against Him. The Flood serves as both a historical event and a warning for future generations. Jesus Himself compared the days before His return to the days of Noah, showing that this ancient judgment still carries important lessons for believers today. This study will examine exactly why God judged the world in Noah’s day according to Scripture. The Growth of Sin After Adam and Eve The roots of the Flood begin long before Noah. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, sin entered the human race. Romans 5:12 (KJV) “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” The effects of sin spread rapidly through humanity. The first murder occurred when Cain killed his brother Abel. Genesis 4:8 (KJV) “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.” As generations passed, mankind moved further from God. Violence, pride, rebellion, and corruption increased. Instead of seeking God, people followed their sinful desires. By Noah’s generation, the world had become vastly different from what God originally created. God Saw Humanity’s Wickedness The Bible clearly states the primary reason for the Flood. Genesis 6:5 (KJV) “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” This verse reveals several important truths. First, wickedness was widespread. God did not observe a few isolated sinners. He saw an entire civilization consumed by sin. Second, evil had become deeply rooted in the human heart. The problem was not merely outward behavior. People’s thoughts, desires, motives, and imaginations had become corrupt. Third, evil was continual. The text says their thoughts were “only evil continually.” Sin was not occasional. It dominated daily life. Humanity had become a culture completely opposed to God. The Earth Was Filled with Violence Another major reason for judgment was violence. Genesis 6:11-12 (KJV) “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” Violence had become normal. Murder, oppression, cruelty, and evil behavior had spread throughout society. Notice that God specifically mentions violence. Throughout Scripture, violence is often associated with rebellion against God. Human life is sacred because mankind is created in God’s image. When people become violent and destructive toward one another, they reject God’s design. The world of Noah had become a place where corruption and violence ruled. Humanity Had Corrupted God’s Design Genesis repeatedly states that mankind had become corrupt. Genesis 6:12 (KJV) “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” The word “corrupt” means ruined, spoiled, or destroyed. Humanity was no longer living according to God’s created purpose. Instead of worshipping God, they followed sinful desires. Instead of righteousness, they practiced wickedness. Instead of truth, they embraced rebellion. The corruption was so extensive that God declared judgment upon the earth. God’s Grief Over Human Sin One of the most sobering passages in Scripture reveals God’s sorrow over mankind’s rebellion. Genesis 6:6 (KJV) “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” This does not mean God made a mistake. God is perfect and all-knowing. The verse describes God’s grief over what humanity had become. The Creator who designed mankind for fellowship was now looking upon a world consumed by sin. The heart of God was grieved by human rebellion. This demonstrates that sin is not merely breaking rules. Sin offends a holy God. God Announced Judgment Because of humanity’s corruption, God declared that judgment would come. Genesis 6:13 (KJV) “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” God’s judgment was not random. He specifically cites violence and corruption as the reason. The Flood would remove the wicked civilization that had filled the earth with evil. God’s holiness required justice. Noah Found Grace Although the world was wicked, one man stood apart. Genesis 6:8 (KJV) “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” This is one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible. While judgment was coming upon the world, God extended grace to Noah. Grace is God’s unmerited favor. Noah was not sinless, but he was a man who walked with God and trusted Him. Genesis 6:9 (KJV) “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” Noah chose righteousness in a generation that rejected God. Noah Was a Preacher of Righteousness God gave the world opportunities to repent. The New Testament describes Noah as a preacher. 2 Peter 2:5 (KJV) “And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the … Read more

A Scripture-Centered Study from Revelation 1–3 (KJV) By: Junior Tate Ministries WHY THE SEVEN CHURCHES MATTER The Book of Revelation is often treated as if it begins with beasts, judgments, and end-time events. Yet the first major section of Revelation is not written to governments, armies, or future world leaders, it is written to churches. Before the seals are opened, before trumpets sound, before vials are poured out, the Lord Jesus Christ speaks directly to His people and to congregations living in a real world of pressure, persecution, temptation, compromise, and spiritual dullness. These were real churches, located in real cities of Asia (modern-day Turkey). They faced real spiritual conditions that Christ exposes with perfect knowledge and perfect authority. And because the Lord chose to preserve these messages in Scripture, their lessons are not limited to the first century; they remain timeless warnings and timeless encouragements for every generation. The seven churches are not merely historical notes. They are also spiritual mirrors. Christ’s words force every church, and every believer, to face one question: What does Christ of the church see when He looks at us Christians- “The Church”? CHRIST’S AUTHORITY OVER THE CHURCHES (REVELATION 1) Before the Lord addresses the seven churches, Revelation establishes who is speaking: the risen, glorified Jesus Christ, the One who walks among His churches and holds their leadership accountable. Christ Among the Churches Revelation 1:12–13 (KJV)“And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.” Christ is not distant. He is “in the midst” of the candlesticks. The churches are pictured as light-bearing stands, meant to shine. Christ is present among them, not as a guest, but as Lord. The Meaning of the Candlesticks and Stars Revelation 1:20 (KJV)“The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” The candlesticks are the churches themselves. The “stars” are the “angels” of the churches (messengers). Regardless of how one understands “angel” here, the point is clear: Christ holds the messengers/representatives accountable, and He evaluates each congregation. Christ’s Power and Right to Judge Revelation 1:17–18 (KJV)“And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Because Christ is risen and has authority over death, He has full authority to correct, warn, discipline, and commend His churches. The messages that follow are not suggestions, they are the words of the Lord. THE PATTERN IN EACH LETTER: CHRIST’S STANDARD FOR HIS CHURCH When you read Revelation 2–3, a repeated structure appears: This repeated pattern shows that Christ cares about; doctrine, love, holiness, courage, endurance, repentance, and spiritual reality. Christ does not merely measure churches by size, reputation, or activity. He judges by truth and heart. EPHESUS — RIGHT BELIEFS WITHOUT FIRST LOVE Revelation 2:1 (KJV)“Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;” Christ introduces Himself as the One who holds and walks among the churches. Ephesus needs to remember that Christ is present, watching, and evaluating. What Christ Commends Revelation 2:2–3 (KJV)“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.” Ephesus had labor, endurance, and discernment. They rejected false apostles and refused evil. That is not a small thing. Christ values doctrinal testing and perseverance. What Christ Rebukes Revelation 2:4 (KJV)“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” They did not lose doctrine. They did not stop working. But their love cooled. “First love” speaks of that early devotion—love for Christ that is warm, living, and personal. The Call to Repent Revelation 2:5 (KJV)“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” This is serious: a church can be active and orthodox and still be in danger of losing its light-bearing place. Christ demands love with truth—not truth without love. Promise to the Overcomer Revelation 2:7 (KJV)“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” The reward points back to Eden restored. Christ calls His people to overcome coldness and return to living love. SMYRNA — THE PERSECUTED CHURCH THAT MUST NOT FEAR Revelation 2:8 (KJV)“And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;” Christ identifies Himself as the One who died and lives—perfect comfort for a suffering church. What Christ Knows Revelation 2:9 (KJV)“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” Smyrna suffered tribulation and poverty, yet Christ calls them rich. Their suffering did not mean God abandoned them. They also faced spiritual opposition described in severe terms. The Warning and Encouragement Revelation … Read more

By: Junior Tate One of the greatest truths in the Christian life is that salvation does not merely forgive a sinner’s past; it brings that person into a new spiritual position before God. The believer is not only forgiven but placed “in Christ.” To be in Christ means the believer is united with Him in His death, burial, resurrection, life, righteousness, and victory. The title “Dead to Sin, Alive to God” comes directly from the truth taught in Romans chapter 6. The Christian life is not a life of continuing in sin because grace is available. It is a life of walking in newness of life because the believer has been joined to Christ. The Bible does not teach that a saved person becomes sinless in the flesh. Believers still battle temptation. They still must deny the flesh. They still must walk in the Spirit. But Scripture does teach that the believer’s relationship to sin has changed. Sin is no longer the believer’s master. The old life has been judged in Christ. The believer now belongs to God. The Great Question: Shall We Continue in Sin? Romans 6:1-2 (KJV)“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Paul asks a very important question. Since salvation is by grace, should believers continue in sin so grace may abound? His answer is strong: “God forbid.” Grace is not permission to live wickedly. Grace is the power of God that saves sinners and teaches them to live differently. A person who truly understands grace does not use it as an excuse for sin. Grace brings the believer into a new life. Paul says believers are “dead to sin.” This does not mean sin no longer tempts us. It means sin no longer has the same rightful rule over us. Before salvation, the sinner is under sin’s dominion. After salvation, the believer belongs to Christ. Baptized into Christ’s Death Romans 6:3-4 (KJV)“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Paul teaches that believers are identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Christ died for sin. He was buried. He rose again. The believer is spiritually united with Him. This is why the Christian is called to “walk in newness of life.” Salvation is not adding Jesus to an unchanged life. Salvation brings a new position, a new Master, a new direction, and a new walk. Baptism pictures this truth. Going down into the water pictures burial with Christ. Coming up from the water pictures resurrection life. Baptism itself does not save, but it gives a public picture of what has happened spiritually in the believer. The saved person is not called to return to the old life. He is called to walk in newness of life. Crucified with Christ Romans 6:5-6 (KJV)“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” The “old man” speaks of the old life in Adam, the old sinful identity under the rule of sin. Paul says the old man is crucified with Christ. This means the believer’s old position has been judged at the cross. The purpose is clear; “that henceforth we should not serve sin.” A Christian should not live as a servant of the very sin from which Christ delivered him. This does not mean the flesh disappears. The believer still must reckon, yield, obey, and walk in the Spirit. But sin is no longer the rightful master. Christ has broken sin’s dominion. Freed from Sin’s Dominion Romans 6:7-11 (KJV)“For he that is dead is freed from sin.Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This passage is the heart of the article. The believer is to reckon himself dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The word “reckon” means to count it as true according to what God has said. The believer does not reckon himself dead to sin because he feels strong. He reckons it because God says it is true in Christ. Christ died unto sin once. He now lives unto God. The believer is united with Him. Therefore, the Christian must not view himself as helplessly chained to the old life. He must believe what God says: he is alive unto God through Jesus Christ. Do Not Let Sin Reign Romans 6:12-14 (KJV)“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Paul does not say sin cannot tempt the believer. He says, “Let not sin therefore reign.” This means the believer has responsibility. Sin seeks to rule, but the Christian must not yield to it. The body can be yielded either to sin or to God. The hands, eyes, mouth, mind, feet, and heart should not be instruments of unrighteousness. They should … Read more