Baptism is More Than Necessary
We must come to understand that when someone says they believe baptism is necessary, it does not mean they believe it is essential. This is not just a case of semantics. My discussion with this “pastor” once again revealed this glaring misunderstanding of New Testament baptism that I have seen so many times.
An Imbalanced Christian Life
All this talk of balance may find us seeking to balance our activities in the world with our Christianity. If you were to put your life activities on a balance scale, with one side being the world, and the other being your spiritual activities as a Christian, which side would be heavier?
Simon the Zealot
Among the twelve disciples of Jesus were two men named Simon. We are very familiar with the Simon whom Jesus called, Peter (John 1:42). However, the other Simon is only mentioned four times in the New Testament. These four occasions are when the names of the disciples are given (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). As such, there are no conversations between Jesus and this other Simon recorded for us in Scripture. In fact, there are no conversations between anyone and this other Simon! The only thing written concerning him is that he was a Zealot, but what does that mean?
Where the Sole Never Dies
One thing the children of Israel did not need, as they wandered and walked about in the wilderness for forty years, were new sandals. Moses reminded them of the strength of their soles with these words:
And I have led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandal has not worn out on your foot (Deuteronomy 29:5 ).
This was a miraculous demonstration of God’s power. If a shoe manufacturer could do this, it would be an impressive feet! One might say, as Israel wandered through the wilderness, they were in a place where the sole never died.
Unfortunately, the soles of our shoes will not last forty years. Eventually, the soles get so bad, they cannot be “healed.”
Simon of Cyrene
Under the demands of the Law of Moses, all Jewish males were required to go to Jerusalem three times a year. This requirement pertained to their attendance and participation in three specific feasts: Passover, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and the Feast of Booths (Duet. 16:16). It was in obedience to this instruction that a man named Simon (a Jewish name), from Cyrene in North Africa, made his way to Jerusalem for Passover. Little did Simon know, his life was about to experience a dramatic change. Life is sometimes this way. Unexpected and unplanned events happen, and our life is changed, for better or worse.
“You’re a Legalist!”
In the religious world today, the term, “legalist,” is a label most people would never want applied to them. It is often used as an attack word against those who desire to stay true to the Scriptures; those who use book, chapter, and verse, to define and dictate their beliefs and practices.
The Language of Tears
Many times, our study of the Scriptures involves investigation into the lives of well-known individuals: Abraham, Moses, Job, Paul, Peter, and of course, Jesus. There is much to be learned from each of their lives.
Get Excited!
There are many things in life which excite us. Listen to the shouts of excitement from the home town fans when their team wins a game. At a concert, listen to sounds of excitement when the band plays their fans’ favorite song. On a smaller scale, listen to the excitement as a couple becomes engaged.
A Refreshing Servant
Many times, our study of the Scriptures involves investigation into the lives of well-known individuals: Abraham, Moses, Job, Paul, Peter, and of course, Jesus. There is much to be learned from each of their lives.
Ox-idently Missing Worship Services
One of the constant conflicts Jesus had with the scribes and Pharisees was in regard to what one could do on the Sabbath.
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
After so many confrontations with the Pharisees, an invitation to dinner at the house of a Pharisee was certainly out of the ordinary for Jesus.