New Testament Studies – Page 10

What about the smallprint?

I frequently receive offers that look too good to be true and the usually are. I’m told that if I sign up to this or that offer then it will be totally free. Of course at some point the free trial runs out and the hope of the organisation making the offer is that by… Continue reading What about the smallprint?

One Gospel only

Here are my notes from a sermon I preached a few years back on Galatians 1:6-2:10. I think it may have been for Nueva Vida. Introduction Nakhi Wells –footballer offered better deal at rival club –seen as a traitor How do we know that a better religious offer is not out there? Christian faith may… Continue reading One Gospel only

Invited to dinner

Overview of Galatians 2 In chapter 2:1-9, Paul continues to emphasise that he independently and directly received the Gospel but also that it was confirmed and affirmed by the other apostles. Importantly, there was agreement on the status of Gentile believers like Titus who were welcomed and offered fellowship without any additional obligations such as… Continue reading Invited to dinner

No other Gospel

Overview of Galatians 1 The theme of this chapter is that there is one true Gospel and that this is the only way of salvation. The Gospel is all about how Jesus has delivered us from evil. This was God’s will and plan, it is for his glory.[1] Paul is concerned that the Galatians are… Continue reading No other Gospel

Zeal and righteousness

In Galatians 1:14, Paul describes his extreme zeal with regards to the Law (both written and oral traditions). Commentators associate this idea of zeal with a fascinating incident from the Old Testament.[1] The incident is referred to in Psalm 106:30-31 and described in Numbers 25:1-9. In Numbers 24, a prophet called Balaam had attempted to… Continue reading Zeal and righteousness

Calling

One of the things about the Transfer window is that you get all kinds of rumours. For example, this year, there are a few rumours doing the rounds concerning Billy Sharp, Sheffield United’s veteran and prolific striker. He has been linked with my home team, Bradford City. The only thing is that he gets linked… Continue reading Calling

Transfer window?

As I write, the football season has just finished and it’s now the transfer period. Lot’s of football players will be on the look out for a better offer. Some will be willing to abandon a club that they’ve played for over many seasons, that has looked after them well and where they’ve enjoyed the… Continue reading Transfer window?

A letter arrives

I remember when I was at University, I used to love looking forward to getting letters from my parents and my grandma. Similarly, when my mum and dad were first in China, mum was a phenomenal correspondent and each week she’d write to tell me about her adventures. The art of letter writing has died… Continue reading A letter arrives

How can I be free from sin?

One of the greatest blessings and greatest challenges of a Christian is that our conscience is re-awakened. This means that we are even more keenly alert to our own sinfulness. We become more aware of how ugly and destructive lust, hate, greed, selfishness, pride, anger, gossip and slander are. And yet at the same time… Continue reading How can I be free from sin?

Competing kingdoms (Romans 5:12-20)

You can also watch a recorded version of this here. So far we have discovered that we are without excuse, exception or escape in the face of God’s righteous judgement. God has clearly revealed to us who he is and we have responded by suppressing that truth. All have sinned and so all are under… Continue reading Competing kingdoms (Romans 5:12-20)