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
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
Read more about the article In My Father’s Name
Who is Jesus / Principle of Agency

In My Father’s Name

If Jesus is God and the second member of a triune being, as fourth century councils would later determine, we would expect him to act in a manner consistent with a divine nature.  As deity, we would expect Jesus to come in his own name, that is, to act on his own authority,  according to his own will or determination.  What we find in Scripture, however, is that Jesus did neither.  Instead, Jesus said he came in his Father's name: John 5:43 (NASB) "I have…

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April 20, 2020
Read more about the article Jesus, A Man Under Authority
Christ and the Centurion, by Paolo Veronese, 16th century
Who is Jesus / Church History

Jesus, A Man Under Authority

In first-century Rome, a centurion was a military officer in charge of a centuria,[1] the smallest unit of soldiers within a legion.  Each centurion was ranked and assigned various levels of authority and responsibility, with the first ranking centurion of the first ranking cohort, being called the primus pilus or first spear.[2]  The centurion was said to be in the middle of the Roman military hierarchy, having men who ranked in authority both above and below him.[3]  We see this hierarchy referenced in an exchange…

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April 6, 2020
Read more about the article Jesus, The Great Teacher, Had a Teacher
The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch, c. 19th century
Who is Jesus

Jesus, The Great Teacher, Had a Teacher

Those who encountered Jesus during his earthly ministry may have debated whether or not he was the Messiah,[1] but few, if any, debated his ability to teach.  On the contrary, crowds were astonished by his teaching: Mark 11:18 (NASB) The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching. (emphasis added)Many people, including Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, recognized that Jesus' teachings, and the signs…

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March 14, 2020
Read more about the article My Father’s Kingdom
Benediction of God the Father, Luca Cambiaso, c. 1565
Who is God / Who is Jesus

My Father’s Kingdom

Many Christians believe Jesus will rule the kingdom for all of eternity because he is God, and therefore, the kingdom inherently belongs to him.  Scripture, on the other hand, reveals a different picture about the coming kingdom, who it belongs to, and the reason for Jesus' rule. The Kingdom Belongs to the FatherThe Psalms often speak of God in terms of royalty:Psalm 47:2 (NASB) For the LORD Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth.Psalm 103:19 (NASB) The LORD has established…

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March 8, 2020
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