David Jones

• About this site

Heidi McCandless - Procrastination.  Every one of us deals with this to some degree.  In some situations it doesn’t make much difference, in others, it can change the course of your life!  I almost missed the most important thing ever because I was too slow to realize how important it was.  I’m speaking of course of my own life – eternal life that is.

• About this site

Shelly McKenna

• About this site

• About this site

10 Ways to Read the Bible

• About this site

Elizabeth Stickfort

• About this site

• About this site

• About this site

• About this site

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. . . God testifying of his gifts, and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”Hebrews11:4" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews11:4

Why were Abel and his offering accepted, and Cain and his offering rejected? Does the expression “more excellent” imply that there was something excellent in that of Cain?

The word translated, “more excellent,” is literally “more, “or’ ‘greater,” and is used either of quantity or quality, here clearly of the latter. It does not imply any excellence in Cain’s offering, otherwise we should not read, “but unto Cain and to his offering God had not respect.” Also later God said to him, “If thou doest well (i.e., come like Abel with the slain victim, implying that Cain had not done well in offering his fruit of the earth), but if thou doest not well (i.e., persist in thy refusal of that offering;) sin’ lieth at the door; i.e., croucheth like a wild beast ready to spring. There can be no reasonable doubt that God had revealed to His fallen creatures how they must approach to Him—even by the minhab or approach offering—a lamb of the flock. Clearly this was to be slain, as the expression—”of the fat thereof” shows. Had there been no such revelation, how could Abel have had “faith” to draw near in this way?

I remember years ago seeing a blind Kabyle reading in Braille type by the wayside in North Africa, what I learned to be this fourth chapter of Genesis. When we asked him why God accepted Abel’s offering, he replied, “There was something in it which spoke of the Messiah.” This is true; no doubt that sacrifice was a type of the Lamb of God slain at Calvary, and foreshadowed the bruising of the Kinsman’s heel. Abel confessed himself worthy of death and appropriated the death of the victim in his stead. Cain’s offering was of the same vegetable kingdom as the fig-leaves of the aprons of Adam and Eve, and as the host of flour and water, which the Romanist and Ritualist offer on their “altars,” all of which are bloodless offerings and powerless to remit
sin.

W.H.

• About this site

UNIVERSALISM

Do not scriptures such as Colossians 1:20," TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:20, Ephesians 1:10;" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 1:10; 1 Timothy 2:4-6;" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:4-6; 1 Timothy 4:10;" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 4:10; Romans 5:19;" TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:19;  1 Corinthians 15:22-28;" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15:22-28; Philippians 2:9-11;" TARGET="_blank">Philippians 2:9-11;  teach the universal salvation of the race? Will not all men be saved?

This questioner is a “Universalist,” believing that all fallen creatures will one day be restored to Divine favour, and brought to heaven.

Let us examine each verse in turn:

there is nothing in Phil. 2:9-11" TARGET="_blank">Phil. 2:9-11 about willing submission. All will bow the knee and confess Christ as Lord, if not willingly, then unwillingly. When the Lord utters the terrible words to certain ones, “Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels,” is there a hint that this will mean their conversion and restoration?

Certainly 1 Corinthians 15" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 15: 22-28 is a strange passage to prove the salvation of all. It refers to the terrible scenes in Revelation 20" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 20 when Satan and the impenitent will be judged and cast into the lake of fire. It is said that Christ at the end will “put down all rule and all authority and power” (v. 24). If this meant their reconciliation, then death would be reconciled too, for “destroyed,” in verse 26, is the same in the Greek (Katargeo) as “put down” in verse 24. The real meaning is explained in v. 25: “all His enemies will be put under His feet,” or “made His footstool,” as in Psa. cx. This would be a peculiar way of expressing reconciliation. It was not thus that the father in Luke 15" TARGET="_blank">Luke 15 welcomed the prodigal. Joshua did treat the Amorite kings just in this way, and it sealed their doom, and they were executed before nightfall.

Romans 5:19" TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:19 does not say a word about all being saved, but merely that “as many were made sinners by the disobedience of Adam, so many will be made righteous by the obedience of Christ”. The condition of repentance and faith is enforced throughout the epistle. How divorce it from this verse? Romans 2:5" TARGET="_blank">Romans 2:5 tells us of those who refuse to repent.

1 Timothy 4:10" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 4:10 simply says that God is the Saviour of all men, “specially of them that believe.” Why “specially,” if all are equally saved? Many believe, and I think they are right, that Saviour here means “Preserver.” (The French—version has usually ‘Conservateur,” i.e, Preserver.)  The Lord cares for all, and in a special way for His people.

1 Timothy2:4-6" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy2:4-6 does not say that all will be saved, but that God is willing that all should be saved. We glory in this truth, and we are sure that wherever He can righteously apply the saving efficacy of the blood of Christ, He will do so. The ransom is paid for all. It is sufficient for all, efficient for them that believe. But those who refuse to believe will perish in spite of the work of Christ. To some the Lord had to say, “Ye will not come to Me that ye might have life”. Neither Ephesians 1:10" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 1:10 nor Colossians 1:20" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:20 says a word about “things under the earth,” or infernal things, as Phil. 2:10" TARGET="_blank">Phil. 2:10 does, when the sujection of all is in view. It is, moreover, “all things” that are to be reconciled. How could heavenly persons need it? But sin has entered the heavenly sphere; discord has marred the harmony there as here, and things, so far, need adjustment or harmonising. Certainly, all things in heaven and earth will be “headed up” in Christ (Ephesians 1:10)," TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 1:10), but the impenitent are not included. They will be vessels of wrath to display God’s power and wrath. The questioner allows there are some verses which seem to teach otherwise, and quotes one—John 3:36" TARGET="_blank">John 3:36—which he really explains away by leaving out the first part, and dwelling on the fact that “the wrath of God abideth in the unbeliever” is in the present. But it is clear that the future is referred to from the first words, “He that believeth not, shall not see life.” This cannot refer to the present, for as long as breath is in the body, a man may turn, believe, and see life; but once the unbeliever passes from this scene he will never see life, but will exist under the wrath of God for ever. Space will only allow me to point out, that our Lord gave no hint of a future probation and restoration of all. Do His words (to quote only one Gospel) in Matthew 10:28;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 10:28; Matthew 13:42;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 13:42; Matthew 18:9;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 18:9; Matthew 25:46," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 25:46, teach universal salvation? The Lord spoke of many passing down the broad road to perdition; of a “closed door,” and of many asking in vain for admission; of “a great gulf fixed,” which none might pass! The hope of Universalists is a false hope, as all who trust in it will one day find. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, He that believeth not shall be damned."

William Hoste

• About this site

• About this site

1 Corinthians 6:1-6" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 6:1-6  When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?  (2)  Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?  (3)  Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!  (4)  So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church?  (5)  I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers,  (6)  but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?

There were problems in the church at Corinth with conflicts between brothers.  Christians should be above such petty behavior.  And then Paul suddenly writes the surprising statement that Christians will judge angels.  He adds no explanation in the immediate context to help us understand where, when or how this will happen. 

It is known from from Jude 1:6" TARGET="_blank">Jude 1:6 and 2 Peter 2:4," TARGET="_blank">2 Peter 2:4, 2 Peter 2:9" TARGET="_blank">2 Peter 2:9 that angels will be judged. It is also clear from scripture that Christ will be the Judge (John 5:22)." TARGET="_blank">John 5:22).  It must be that we are united to Christ that gives us this right to be involved with the judgment upon angels.  Since Christ will include us in this task in the future, shouldn’t we be able to handle matters of judgment in this life?

• About this site

BREAKING THE BREAD

Is it right to take the loaf, that which answers to the Body of our Lord and break it in two, and then hand it round the Assembly?

In Matthew 26:26;" TARGET="_blank">Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22;" TARGET="_blank">Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19," TARGET="_blank">Luke 22:19, we read that the Lord took bread and gave thanks (or blessed) and brake and gave unto His disciples saying, “This is my body,” and Luke adds, “which is given (not broken) for you.” In 1 Corinthians  11:23, 24, the Lord Jesus is said to have followed the same order, with the words, “which is broken for you,” but this, R.V. changes simply (and with sufficient MS. authority) to, “which is for you.” Now, compare this with Luke 24: 30," TARGET="_blank">Luke 24: 30, where a simple meal was about to begin (for it can hardly be maintained that the two disciples had spread the table of remembrance that evening at Emmaus, in the condition in which they were of unbelief and ignorance of the true meaning of all that had taken place), and where we read that the Lord took bread and gave thanks, as he sat down to the meal, and then brake it. I do not, therefore, think we must put undue emphasis on the breaking of the bread even by the Lord, though far be it from us to affirm that any act of His was not significant. However, the brother who gives thanks in the Assembly for the bread or the cup, would shrink from any pretention to be taking the place that the Lord rightly took. His giving thanks is no official act, but only as representing the Assembly, and his breaking the bread is only for the convenience of distribution. The true breaking of bread is done by all, each one for him or herself, as we read in 1 Corinthians 10:26" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:26: “The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ”? What is important is that the giving of thanks should take place before the loaf is broken for distribution, for the loaf is one, and this must be maintained, for it not only represents the one holy Body of the Lord given for us, but His mystical Body, the oneness of which is thus witnessed to. “The bread which we break is it not the communion of the Body of Christ? seeing that there is one bread, we who are many are one body” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:16-17, R.V., margin).

To pass a whole loaf around would be very inconvenient, and would necessitate its being divided in some way by the one who received it first, which would come to the same thing as that to which the questioner objects. The breaking of the bread by the saints is not a dividing of the Body of Christ, but a communion in it (“Him we all in common share”), a remembrance of Him in the act, and a proclamation of His death.

W.H.

• About this site

Can we approach the Lord Jesus to worship Him apart from the Father?

We are on holy ground when considering any aspect of divine truth, but especially do we need to approach “with unshod feet,” when it is a question of the Being of God! We can only know what He is pleased to reveal, and even then it is “as in a glass darkly,” and “in part.” There is one God—that is, one Divine Essence; but in that unity there are three Divine Persons or Subsistencies, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; co-equal, co-eternal, and co-substantial: that is, each of the three possesses the whole Divine substance. We must neither divide the substance, nor confound the persons.

These three Persons are in necessary relations to one another, and it is important not to confound these relations. Each possesses the Personal properties essential to Himself, and which cannot be predicated of or communicated to the others. Thus it belongs to the Father to “beget:” His are the eternal counsels; the Son is the Only-begotten, the Incarnate One; He alone suffered for sin. The Spirit proceedeth from the Father and the Son. The Spirit reveals the Son, by whom the Father is declared or interpreted. Now, it is not derogating from one Divine Person to refrain from attributing to Him what the Holy Scriptures assign to Another.

Thus we never read of worship being offered to the Holy Spirit, though He is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, eternal, divine as the Father and the Son. But we do read, even in the days of His humiliation, of worship being rendered to the Lord Jesus, and He accepted it. And in Revelation 5:8-13" TARGET="_blank">Revelation 5:8-13 Divine worship is paid to the Lamb in heaven. Nevertheless, the Lord proclaims in John 4:23, 24," TARGET="_blank">John 4:23, 24, that the true Worshippers will worship the Father, and that it is the “Father who is seeking worshippers”—”God is Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” The apostle Paul indicates, too, in that pregnant verse (Eph. ii. 18), the true Divine order. “Through Him (Christ Jesus) we both (believers from Jew and Gentile) have access by the Spirit unto the Father.” The Lord is the way to the Father and the substance of worship; the Spirit the power; the Father the recipient of the worship of the people.”

W.H.

• About this site

Who was Saint Patrick and what is St. Patrick's Day?

Maewyn Succat is the real name of the man who the Catholic Church eventually declared to be Saint Patrick.  He was born in 387 A.D. in Kilpatrick, Scotland and died in 461 A.D.  He is known for his Christian missionary work in Ireland where he preached for 30 years.  It is said that over 135,000 people were converted due to his teaching and 300 churches established throughout the country.  

He didn’t appear to be born to greatness.  When he was 16 years old he was captured by Catholic invaders and became a slave in Ireland.  During his time in slavery, he learned about the non-Christian culture and customs of Celtic Ireland.  Later in life he returned and converted many of these Celts to the Catholic faith.  

He felt called by God because of a vivid dream in which God said “Your ship is ready.” St. Patrick jumped a ship bound for Britian where he received another message from God in a dream.  This time in his dream he received a letter which was the “voice of the Irish”.  Inside the letter he heard the people of Ireland asking him to return to teach them the Catholic faith.

Saint Patrick then studied to become an ordained Catholic bishop.  Later he returned to Ireland to begin his missionary work.  His preaching was met with great success.  Knowing the Celltic culture, he adapted symbols of Ireland to teach Christian doctrines, most notably the shamrock, a three-leaved clover, to represent the trinity.  It is also said that Saint Patrick introduced alcohol to Ireland which still affects the culture of Ireland today.  

Saint Patrick’s Day Observed

Saint Patrick died on March 17, 461.  March 17 is a national holiday in Ireland to commemorate their greatest Catholic missionary of all time.  With a significant Irish immigrant population, the United States celebrates the day, but not to the extent of making it a national holiday.  People wear green, claim to be Irish for at least one day of the year, drink green beer and in Chicago, dye the Chicago River green.  

While the Bible doesn’t mention a special class of people as saints (all believers are referred to as the saints - see note below), Maewyn Succat was an extraordinary man who dedicated his life to teaching the tenants of the Christian faith to another culture.  The main known as Saint Patrick made Ireland into one of the most ardent supporters of the Catholic Church anywhere on the planet.

Saints

The Bible refers to all believers as saints.  See the following list of saints mentioned in the Acts and the Epistles...

(Acts 9:13)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 9:13)  But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.

(Acts 9:32)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 9:32)  Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.

(Acts 9:41)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 9:41)  And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

(Acts 26:10)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 26:10)  And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.

(Romans 1:7)" TARGET="_blank">Romans 1:7)  To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Romans 8:27)" TARGET="_blank">Romans 8:27)  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

(Romans 12:13)" TARGET="_blank">Romans 12:13)  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

(Romans 15:25)" TARGET="_blank">Romans 15:25)  At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints.

(Romans 15:26)" TARGET="_blank">Romans 15:26)  For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.

(Romans 15:31)" TARGET="_blank">Romans 15:31)  that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,

(Romans 16:2)" TARGET="_blank">Romans 16:2)  that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

(Romans 16:15)" TARGET="_blank">Romans 16:15)  Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

(1 Corinthians 1:2)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 1:2)  To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

(1 Corinthians 6:1)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 6:1)  When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?

(1 Corinthians 6:2)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 6:2)  Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?

(1 Corinthians 14:33)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:33)  For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

(1 Corinthians 16:1)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 16:1)  Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.

(1 Corinthians 16:15)" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 16:15)  Now I urge you, brothers--you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints--

(2 Corinthians 1:1)" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 1:1)  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:

(2 Corinthians 8:4)" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 8:4)  begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints--

(2 Corinthians 9:1)" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 9:1)  Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints,

(2 Corinthians 9:12)" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 9:12)  For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

(2 Corinthians 13:13)" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 13:13)  All the saints greet you.

(Ephesians 1:1)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 1:1)  Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

(Ephesians 1:15)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 1:15)  For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,

(Ephesians 1:18)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 1:18)  having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

(Ephesians 2:19)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 2:19)  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

(Ephesians 3:8)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 3:8)  To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

(Ephesians 3:18)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 3:18)  may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

(Ephesians 4:12)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:12)  to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

(Ephesians 5:3)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:3)  But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

(Ephesians 6:18)" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 6:18)  praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

(Philippians 1:1)" TARGET="_blank">Philippians 1:1)  Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:

(Philippians 4:22)" TARGET="_blank">Philippians 4:22)  All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.

(Colossians 1:2)" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:2)  To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

(Colossians 1:4)" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:4)  since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

(Colossians 1:12)" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:12)  giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

(Colossians 1:26)" TARGET="_blank">Colossians 1:26)  the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.

(1 Thessalonians 3:13)" TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 3:13)  so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

(2 Thessalonians 1:10)" TARGET="_blank">2 Thessalonians 1:10)  when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

(1 Timothy 5:10)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:10)  and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.

(Philemon 1:5)" TARGET="_blank">Philemon 1:5)  because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,

(Philemon 1:7)" TARGET="_blank">Philemon 1:7)  For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.

(Hebrews 6:10)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 6:10)  For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

(Hebrews 13:24)" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:24)  Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings.

(Jude 1:3)" TARGET="_blank">Jude 1:3)  Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

• About this site