June 25 We have already seen the biblical order of belief and then water baptism. Dr. Luke highlights Crispus’ experience: he and his family believed, and they were baptized. The same happened to many of the Corinthians. (Acts 18:8) Dr. Luke introduces us to Priscilla and Aquila. They came to Corinth because the Jews had…
June 21 Not much has changed since Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica. Today, many people spout opinions concerning Jesus’ return. As in Paul’s day, many of those opinions are simply that: opinions. Biblically speaking, there are several – very different – views of eschatology which are held by godly theologians. Each of these…
June 15 Paul feared that the church in Thessalonica might have wavered in their faith, so he sent Timothy to them to check on their spiritual health. Paul was greatly encouraged by what Timothy reported. So, in the first two chapters, Paul praised the church for how they had responded to the Gospel; here in…
June 14 Paul begins 1 Thessalonians 2 talking about how he and his companions ministered to the church with such care for the people. He talks about how he and his partners conducted themselves when they ministered there in 1 Thessalonians 2:7–12. In 1 Thessalonians 2:13–14, Paul repeats what he said in yesterday’s Bible readings…
June 13 It can be very dangerous to imitate someone. But the key is who you are trying to imitate. Paul doesn’t hesitate to praise the Thessalonians for imitating him and his partners, (1 Thessalonians 1:6) and he goes further in 1 Corinthians 11:1 to tell them to imitate him as he imitated Jesus. Paul…
June 11 In Paul’s final chapter of Galatians, he tells the church to restore brothers and sisters who have been overtaken in any wrongdoing. (Galatians 6:1) He warns them to be careful, lest they, too, might fall into sin. In other words, Paul is telling the church’s mature believers to reach out and restore someone…
