INTRODUCTION:Because the teaching of the apostle Paul on civil authority is widely misunderstood and misrepresented, we are going to take our time going through this section. And because the instructions here are to Christian citizens and subjects, we are going to begin with a scriptural introduction to this entire subject. And because of who is …
A Little Something to Keep You Awake at Two in the Morning
The Father is not the Son, and the Son is not the Spirit, and the Spirit is not the Father. The borders between the three Persons are not blurred or confused borders. The distinctions between the Persons are absolute. And to make this truth even more glorious, one that only the triune God can reveal …
Coals of Fire on the Head
INTRODUCTION:Having discussed some of the gifts of the body, Paul moves on to exhort the Roman Christians in how the parts of the body should function together. What does it look like when the saints are being knit together in love, as they ought to be? What does the Spirit do? In Paul, one of …
One Little Word Shall Fell Him
I have written before that the watershed issue for me in the political process is abortion. But that leads immediately to a host of practical questions — is this politician sincere in his pro-life views? If sincere, does he have the horsepower to get anything done about it? Is anything actually going to happen? There …
Our New Covenant Cozies
Luke 9 and 10 contain a striking juxtaposition. In chapter 9 there is that famous incident where Jesus sent messengers ahead of Him into a Samaritan village, and Jesus was not received (9:53). The disciples wanted to call down fire from Heaven, just like Elijah, and torch the place. Jesus said that they did not …
True Members
INTRODUCTION:Paul now moves into a discussion of body life—a theme he treats in detail elsewhere as well (1 Cor. 12-14). This body life is organic and alive, and is not to be confused with simple administrative organization, although it is organized. With living organisms, the organizational principle arises from below, and is not imposed externally. …
A Living Sacrifice
INTRODUCTION: As we have worked through this epistle we have seen certain characteristics of Paul’s turn of mind. We now come to another one, very much in evidence throughout his letters. His pattern of teaching is this—doctrine precedes ethics, and is foundational to it. He teaches us what we must believe (credenda, things to be …
Thinks I Have Thunk
Mars Hill audio is an audio magazine that just celebrated the publication of its 100th edition, and I commend it to you. I listen to it faithfully, and the interviews with numerous authors are really informative, and it is one of my main sources for tips on valuable books to check out. So go ye, …
Theology and Doxology
INTRODUCTION:Paul’s response to the very dense theology he has been working through is to break out into song. His theology bursts forth into doxology. These are not two unrelated things—rightly done, rightly understood, theology leads inexorably to praise. Let’s consider why. THE TEXT:“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of …
Staying on Message
“All the sermons in Acts have one essential point — Jesus Christ is risen from the dead” (Wagner, Tongues Aflame, p. 97).