Read more about the article Did God Purchase the Church With His Own Blood?
Lamb of God by Francisco de Zurbaran, c.1635-1640, San Diego Museum of Art
Book of Acts / Paul's Christology and Theology

Did God Purchase the Church With His Own Blood?

An Examination of Acts 20:28When Paul was en route to Jerusalem, he stopped in the city of Miletus long enough to call for the elders in neighboring Ephesus to come to him that he might exhort them to be on guard against savage wolves:Acts 20:28-30 (NASB) "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.  29  "I know that after my departure…

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December 7, 2020
Read more about the article Paul’s Theology in Athens
Paul in Athens, Sir James Thornhill's copy of Raphael's painting
Book of Acts / Paul's Christology and Theology

Paul’s Theology in Athens

If the doctrine of the Trinity and the deity of Christ is the bedrock of the Christian faith, as modern orthodoxy insists, then we should be able to find these foundational teachings in Scripture.  In particular, the book of Acts should include such doctrine as it records the spread of the gospel message and the growth of the Church in the first century.  This post will examine Paul's teaching in Athens, as recorded in Luke's historical account, to determine if the apostle's theology included Trinitarian…

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November 29, 2020
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 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 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
Read more about the article Peter’s Pentecost Christology
St. Peter Preaching by Masolino Tommaso, c. 1427
Who is Jesus / Book of Acts / Peter's Christology

Peter’s Pentecost Christology

Most Christians are at least somewhat familiar with Peter's response to Jesus' question, Who do you say that I am?Matthew 16:15-17 (NASB) He *said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17  And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (emphasis added)God revealed to Peter that Jesus was indeed…

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July 4, 2020