Under the law God had given through Moses, Jewish people like Nicodemus entered into a covenant relationship with God by virtue of their physical birth into the nation (there was more to it than that, of course, but that was where it began). With the coming of Christ, covenant relationship no longer came through theContinue reading “Nicodemus and the New Birth (2)”
Tag Archives: baptism
John’s baptism and ours
Brandon asks, Why is baptism used before Jesus? I thought baptism signified Jesus’ death and resurrection. Why would baptism be used by John if that’s what it is for? As the question suggests, the two baptisms are closely related but also have important differences. Think of them like an engagement ring and a wedding ring. The engagement ringContinue reading “John’s baptism and ours”
Rooting ourselves in community
It’s no secret to anyone who spends any time in 1 Corinthians that the disciples at Corinth were experiencing some serious problems due to their divisiveness. Paul points this out at the start (1:10ff) and returns to it frequently throughout the letter. It is one of the major themes of 1 Corinthians. I suppose thereContinue reading “Rooting ourselves in community”
The Beauty of Baptism
Baptism is beautiful—not as something to be exalted in and of itself (it’s meaningless in that sense), but as it is used by God to unite us with Christ. 1. Baptism is where a dead person comes alive. (Colossians 2:12-13). . . . having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised withContinue reading “The Beauty of Baptism”
Roots and Fruits
In Romans 6, Paul is dealing with a couple of objections he must have encountered more than a time or two in sharing the good news of Jesus with people. The first objection is in v. 1: What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? This goes back toContinue reading “Roots and Fruits”
Baptism And Wedding Vows
If you listen closely to the vows couples exchange during a wedding ceremony (whether they are traditional or ones they have written), they all have the same intent and purpose and say the same thing. They are promises that each will commit themselves to the attitudes and actions conducive to happy, healthy marriage. No oneContinue reading “Baptism And Wedding Vows”
The Showdown On Spiritual Authority
The issue in Mark 11:27ff is one of spiritual authority and leadership. It was close to Passover and Jerusalem was overflowing with pilgrims who had come up for the feast. Jesus and His disciples were there. He had gone into the temple and disrupted the corrupt merchandising that was going on. Israel’s leaders were threatenedContinue reading “The Showdown On Spiritual Authority”
Press On!
You can find two types of people at the gym. The first group is easily identifiable. They are the ones huffing and puffing, sweating, possibly grunting, or making other noises. They are the people who came to the gym to work out. They are pushing themselves because well . . . that’s the whole pointContinue reading “Press On!”
Reflections On The Risen Life (1)
Did you ever see the moon in the sky at night and think you might like to go there? Did you ever wonder what it be like to set foot on it? Well, you certainly wouldn’t be the first person. The problem is there’s this force called gravity that keeps us earth bound and toContinue reading “Reflections On The Risen Life (1)”
Acting Up
Depending on your translation, Colossians 3:1 begins with a “Since, then,” an “If then,” or a “Therefore.” The point being that what Paul is about to say builds on something he has previously said. We don’t have to wonder what that antecedent is because Paul tells us—it’s the fact that we’ve been “raised with Christ”Continue reading “Acting Up”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 