The Duration of the Law’s Dominion
Paul wrote, “Or are ye ignorant, brethren (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law hath dominion over a man for so long time as he liveth?” (Romans 7:1). In this section of Romans, Paul showed that Jewish Christians had to be dead to the Law, for until they were, they […]
“Ye Obeyed That Form of Doctrine”
“Ye are not under law, but under grace.” These words, recorded in Romans 6:14, are an exhortation from the apostle to Roman brethren to remember that they have become free from the law by Christ’s death. The passage is often abused by some who insist that Christians are not under any law. Such a conclusion […]
Baptized Into Christ, Baptized Into His Death
The apostle has written of the ill effect that Adam’s sin had upon mankind, and the wonderful grace available to us in Christ Jesus. He had asked, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” To this question he responded, “God forbid! We who died to sin, how shall […]
Adam and Christ
At least twice in Paul’s letters there is a contrast made between Adam and Christ — a contrast in which mankind is affected by what each did. The two contrasts are found in 1 Corinthians 15:22 and Romans 5:5:12-21. The Corinthian contrast (“as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive”) […]
The Greatness of Abraham’s Faith
In Romans 4:11 Paul showed that circumcision was given to Abraham as a seal of the righteousness of faith he had manifested in his uncircumcision. He would become the father of all believers, whether circumcised or uncircumcised. He had, before both the Law and his circumcision, walked in faith, pleasing God who reckoned unto him […]
Does Faith Healing Work Without Faith?
A lot of people in the religious world claim to possess miraculous healing powers. Thousands throng to assemblies where these “healers” perform their “works.” Testimonies are offered of the healing hand of many who claim to be empowered with the Holy Spirit. When the healers are challenged and evidence is presented that no one has […]
Was Abraham Justified by Works?
As Paul examined how man is justified before God; that is, how he attains the righteousness which is revealed in the gospel (Romans 1:16), he has shown that the righteousness of God is separate from the Law and undeserved by man. As he continued his search, he raised the question every Jew should have been […]
All Have Sinned
Paul has shown that the gospel is God’s power to save; in the gospel is revealed the righteousness of God (Romans 1:16-17). Having said that the gospel provides hope to all, he then set about to show there is a need for the gospel. He showed first that the Gentiles needed the gospel (Romans 1:18-32); […]
The Equity and Righteousness of God
Paul has shown that God’s power to save and the righteousness of God are both revealed in the gospel of Christ. These are available to all men, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. He further showed that the gospel was desperately needed by the Gentile world: they had sinned against God. His […]
Preach the Text
I’m very concerned with what I perceive to be an approach to preaching (and listening) which, more and more, seems to place the Word of God in the background. I’ve heard some sermons recently which illustrate the point. In one, I wasn’t required to open a Bible for the first 20 minutes; in another, one […]