Read more about the article Paul’s Theology in Thessalonica
Paul Preaching to the Thessalonians, Gustave Dore, c. 1850
Book of Acts / Paul's Christology and Theology

Paul’s Theology in Thessalonica

The book of Acts provides us with important insight into what first century Christians believed and taught. In this post, we'll examine portions of Acts chapter 17 to discover what Paul taught the citizens of Thessalonica about God. More specifically, we will look to see if the apostle taught the doctrine of the Trinity or the deity of Christ, both said to be foundational to the Christian faith.Thessalonica, located in what is now Turkey, was the capital of one of four districts in Macedonia.  Paul…

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November 15, 2020
Read more about the article The Gods Have Become Like Men
Paul and Barnabas at Lystra, Johann Heiss, 1678
Book of Acts / Paul's Christology and Theology / Preexistence / Who is Jesus

The Gods Have Become Like Men

The book of Acts should play a key role in the development of our theology because it demonstrates what the early Church believed and taught.  In other words, the book of Acts offers a firsthand look at how the disciples implemented Jesus' mandate to go into all the world "teaching them all that I have commanded you."[1]  If the doctrine of the Trinity and Jesus' incarnation are foundational teachings, as modern orthodoxy claims, we should find them in abundance in the book that records the…

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October 25, 2020
Read more about the article Saul of Tarsus’ Damascus Road Christology
The Conversion of St. Paul, by Bartolome Esteban Murillo c. 17th century
Book of Acts / Paul's Christology and Theology / Who is Jesus

Saul of Tarsus’ Damascus Road Christology

One of the most dramatic events in Luke's historical account of the birth and development of the early Church is Saul of Tarsus' conversion from Christian persecutor to Christ follower.  Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus as the zealous Pharisee was en route, having been given authority by the high priest to arrest Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem to be punished.[1] How did Saul's view of Jesus change after he encountered the resurrected and exalted king?  Did he realize that not…

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October 11, 2020
Read more about the article Confidently Wrong About Jesus
Ernst Karl Georg Zimmerman, c. 19th century
Who is Jesus

Confidently Wrong About Jesus

Have you ever been so sure about something, so confident in your position on a matter that you doggedly held fast to your belief only to find out later that you were wrong? In John chapter 7, we read about two groups of people who were confident in their assertions about Jesus.  But they were wrong.  Confidently wrong.  Let's examine the passage and find out what we can learn from their error. Many people were coming to believe that Jesus was the promised Christ.  The…

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September 20, 2020
Read more about the article Do the Creeds Reflect the Church’s Earliest Theology?
Council of Nicaea, 16th century fresco
Church History

Do the Creeds Reflect the Church’s Earliest Theology?

Many Christians have been told that the doctrine of the Trinity was passed down through the ages, unchanged from the 1st century to the present.  If this is the case, we should be able to trace a consistent creedal testimony through the chronicles of Church history.  In this article, we will examine post-Biblical creedal statements as they pertain to a belief in God to determine if their theology developed over time or if it is consistent with Scripture, and therefore, the theology of the first…

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September 11, 2020
Read more about the article Jesus Christ, the Foundation and Cornerstone
Who is Jesus

Jesus Christ, the Foundation and Cornerstone

Scripture uses a variety of metaphors to illustrate spiritual truths.  For example, the Church is described as a building.  Paul used this analogy in his first letter to the church in Corinth: 1 Corinthians 3:5 and 9-11 (NASB)  What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one... 9  For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. 10  According to the grace of God which was given to me,…

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August 25, 2020
Read more about the article Does Being King of Kings Mean Jesus is God?
Who is Jesus

Does Being King of Kings Mean Jesus is God?

The book of Revelation twice calls Jesus the king of kings and the lord of lords.  In these passages, he is depicted as the Lamb who is warred against by the beast and the kings of the earth, but who, in the end, triumphs over his enemies.[1] Revelation 17:14 (NASB) "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and…

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August 16, 2020
Read more about the article Peter’s Christology Before Cornelius and the Gentiles
The Angel Appears to Cornelius the Centurion, by Gioacchino Pagliei, c.1875
Who is Jesus / Book of Acts / Peter's Christology

Peter’s Christology Before Cornelius and the Gentiles

Most Christians would agree that our Christology should be derived from Scripture.  However, many would be shocked to learn that modern Christianity's view of Jesus is a hybridization of Biblical and post-Biblical teachings.  This blending of New Testament Christology with fourth century philosophy is noticeable when we compare current orthodoxy with Peter's Christology. What did Peter believe and teach about the Messiah?  If the foremost of the twelve apostles, and a prominent leader in the early Church, believed Jesus to be God-incarnate, we would rightfully expect…

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July 31, 2020
Read more about the article Peter’s Christology Before the Sanhedrin
Dispute Before Sanhedrin, by Fra Angelico, c. 1445
Who is Jesus / Peter's Christology

Peter’s Christology Before the Sanhedrin

If, as orthodoxy says, a belief in the deity of Christ and the doctrine of the Trinity is necessary for salvation, we would expect it to be in the book that chronicles the spread of the gospel in the early Church. For example, what did Luke record in the book of Acts regarding Peter's Christology?   Did the foremost among the twelve apostles preach that Jesus is God?  His sermon before the Sanhedrin provides us with the answer.In Acts chapter 3, Peter and John encountered a…

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July 20, 2020
Read more about the article Peter’s Christology at the Beautiful Gate
Healing at Beautiful Gate by Nicolas Poussin, 1655
Who is Jesus / Book of Acts / Peter's Christology

Peter’s Christology at the Beautiful Gate

Although the importance of Peter’s ministry in the eyes of the modern day Christian is often eclipsed by that of the apostle Paul, this fisherman turned apostle, offers believers keen insight and instruction about God and His Messiah.  Not only did God give Peter an unambiguous revelation as to Jesus’ identity, but he was also anointed with the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel at the Church’s inauguration.  Thereafter, he continued to play a key role in the direction and edification of the early Church.[1] …

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July 12, 2020
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