-
Are Apostles for the Church Today?
Although it is becoming more and more popular to argue that there are Apostles in the church today, this is far from a majority position. Rather, it is generally recognized that the Greek word used for apostles in the New Testament can be used in both a generic sense (simply meaning “sent one”), or in a specific sense. Romans 16:7 is an example of a generic sense where Paul uses the term “apostle” to refer to individuals who are sent out from a church for some purpose. But there is also a more specific category of apostleship that relates specifically to apostles who represent Jesus Christ as His authoritative ambassadors. In other words, these Apostles were viewed with the authority of Jesus because He commissioned them himself. Note, for example, that Paul, an Apostle of Christ, had the authority to give instruction which was on the same level of Christ…
-
Dispensationalism and the Interesting History of Date Setting
Opponents of dispensationalism like to accuse dispensationalists of being overly sensational and overly specific about when Jesus will return. To be sure, there have been many dispensationalists who have done just that. For example, Edgar C. Whisenant, a self-taught Bible student and former NASA engineer, wrote the problematic book 88 Reasons Why The Rapture Will Be in 1988. Since we are still here, such a book has proven to be quite comical and has provided endless fuel against those “crazy dispensationalist date-setters.” The Ironic History of Date Setting What is often overlooked by those engaging in modern dispensational debates is that dispensational premillennialism was founded in response to the date-setting historicist premillennial position. For example, in his elucidating historical analysis, Living in the Shadow of the Second Coming: American Premillennialism 1875-1925, Timothy Weber notes that it was the former versions of premillennialism that were the date setters: Once provided with…
-
The Historic Connection between the Easter Celebration and Baptism
Easter is one of the most significant celebrations for Christians, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This celebration of Christ’s resurrection is arguably the centerpiece of the Christian life. After all, if Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile and we are still in our sins (1 Cor 15:17). It is no wonder that Easter is one of the most joyous occasions of the Christian life! A lesser-known part of the Easter celebration is its historic connection to baptism. Traditionally, Easter was recognized as a prime time for the baptism of new converts. The association between a believer’s baptism and Christ’s resurrection was viewed as central. But, it was not an issue that was without differing opinions. The Easter Baptism Debate in the Early Church Leo I was the bishop of Rome from 440 to 461 AD. Also known as Leo the Great, Leo exercised his…
-
What Does Being Filled with the Spirit Mean?
Ephesians 5:18 commands believers to “be filled with the Spirit.” But what does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? This phrase has been understood in a variety of ways. Some have interpreted it as a spiritual manifestation of speaking in tongues. Others have said being filled with the Spirit is the same as being filled with Christ. Although there are many notions as to what being filled with the Spirit means, if we pay attention to the grammar and broader context of Ephesians, we can understand this passage. Understanding the “With” Preposition First, there is the problem of what it actually means to be filled “with” the Spirit. Many of the English versions (NASB, ESV, KJV, etc.) choose this translation, but it is slightly ambiguous. Although it could take a variety of nuances, two different options are primary. As it turns out, this is probably a more important…
-
The Time of the Three Concurrent Popes: the Avignon Papacy and the Great Schism
One of the central doctrines in the Catholic Church is that of the papacy—a belief that has shaped Catholic Christianity for centuries. Catholics assert that the pope is the direct successor of Saint Peter, forming a continuous chain of apostolic succession. Although I think it can be argued that the papacy should not even be considered Christian, minimally, we should recognize that the papacy is plagued with the failings of human ambition and political maneuvering. For evangelicals who hold Scripture as the final authority in the life of the church, the dramatic events of the Avignon Papacy offer a clear illustration of the corruption of the papacy. The Catholic Problem: The Papal Claim of Divine Authority Catholics have long maintained that each pope inherits “the totality and supremacy of the power Christ left on earth for the building up of the kingdom of God.” This claim of divine empowerment is used…
-
Keeping the Church Healthy: How Discipline Fosters True Holiness
Many people love going to church for the music, the fellowship, or the preaching. Ask them about essential elements of a healthy church, and you’ll probably hear about dynamic worship or warm community. What’s rarely mentioned, however, is a weird thing called church discipline—a practice that’s sometimes overlooked but is actually vital for a biblical congregation. Far from being outdated or harsh, church discipline helps preserve a church’s spiritual integrity, encourages repentance, and keeps believers anchored in God’s Word. The Three Marks of a True Church Little known to most people, the 1561 Belgic Confession offers three marks by which the true church is known: (1) preaching the pure gospel, (2) observing the sacraments (i.e., baptism and communion), and (3) practicing church discipline. Throughout church history, church discipline has been an integral component of God-fearing churches. However, a recent survey of pastors revealed that 55% of churches have never formally…
-
A Sunday Service in the 2nd Century: A Description from Justin Martyr
Justin Martyr is a name unfamiliar to many. However, Justin Martyr would have been very familiar in early Christianity. He was a first-class Christian apologist, and in his writings, he defended the peacefulness of Christians by describing the practices of the church around 150 A.D. (within 60 years of the Apostle John’s death). Although he is not an inspired writer, his observations are interesting in many regards. Does worship in the 2nd-century church look similar to our churches today? I find the testimony of Justin Martyr particularly insightful in answering questions like that (First Apology, 67, ca. 150 A.D.). Justin Martyr on the Order of Service In his observations, Justin Martyr captures a typical Sunday service as it would have unfolded in the early church—a time marked by learning and extended times of worship. The description offers a structured portrayal of early Christian gatherings. The congregation would come together, often…
-
The Role of Confession in the Christian Life: Navigating 1 John 1:9
Confession of one’s sin and repentance is part of coming to Christ. However, after salvation, is there a place for Christians to continue to confess their sins? Obviously it is an integral part of Christianity to believe that all sin (past, present, and future) has been dealt with by Christ on the cross. He has paid for all sin in full, assuring the believer of forgiveness and a future hope of eternity with Christ in heaven. So, is there any need to confess sin after conversion? A verse that is central to whether or not we should confess our sins after we are saved is 1 John 1:9. At first reading, 1 John 1:9 seems to imply that believers ought to confess their sins. However, some have argued that if 1 John 1:9 teaches believers are to confess their sins after conversion, then this would undermine the very heart of…
-
A Christian Case Against Slavery Reparations
Slavery reparations are a popular political move right now. In fact, the 2024 California budget included 12 million for reparations. This generous move, which is about $6 per black resident of California, is the latest in political maneuvering to seize on the idea that reparations are the way forward to solving poor race relations. This conversation has really ignited over the last 5 years. When the culture takes aim at a topic, the Christian needs to be equipped to think through the issues from a biblical worldview. On the issue of whether slavery reparations are to be implemented, I think there are a couple issues to consider. First, slavery reparations would be a logistical nightmare. Although the issue is often painted as blacks needing to receive reparations and whites needing to pay reparations, that is a gross oversimplification. If the actual issue is slavery, one needs to consider the numerous…
-
The Red Herring Fallacy and the Christian (with Examples)
Much like the broader society around them, many believers have become careless in their reasoning. I think this is obvious to everyone, but few are willing to claim they are susceptible to faulty logic. But logical fallacies are widespread, and we all are susceptible to poor thinking. It takes a wise and humble Christian to be willing to take steps toward growth in these areas. When talking about logic, a logical fallacy is a defect or mistake in reasoning that undermines an argument, rendering it unsound or invalid. We have covered two previous fallacies. The first fallacy was the “Either-Or Fallacy,” where we examined how Christians frequently oversimplify issues into a binary choice when, in reality, they are more nuanced. We also discussed the “Straw Man Fallacy,” which happens when someone distorts or alters an opposing argument to make it easier to defeat. Today, I want to delve into the…