The BIG Picture (Study)

OBS: ACTS, The Transition (Part 6) The focus is not so much on studying Acts, as it is on using the book to teach us about dispensation truths. Acts 1:8   But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. See the video lesson of this study here. Pentecost vs. the New Covenant Looking at our key verse above, one word stood out for me and prompted the writing of the rest of this study below. That word is, "upon" . The verse clearly states that the Holy Spirit will come ' upon ' the apostles, and empower them to be witnesses of the gospel message they were to go and proclaim to all of Israel. In previous lessons in this study series, we touched on the topic of the Ne

OBS: ACTS, The Transition (Part 5) The focus is not so much on studying Acts, as it is on using the book to teach us about dispensation truths. Acts 1:5   For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. See the video lesson of this study here. Insights into the New Covenant Jesus had been preaching about the Kingdom throughout His earthly ministry. The gospel message being proclaimed at the time was that the Kingdom was at hand and that it could come if all of Israel would believe. As we will see in some scriptures regarding the New Covenant below, one of the aspects of the covenant was an innate knowledge of the law, written on the heart, since God would place His Spirit within them. So, when Jesus told the 11 disciples

Only Israel is 'Born Again' Today, we are familiar with the term, 'born again'. We hear it often in evangelical messages or when speaking of people who are saved. One might say he is a 'born again' Christian, or on this day and in this circumstance I came to the Lord and was 'born again'. But is this term being used accurately according to biblical context. Are you and I, today, under the dispensation of grace, really 'born again'? Let's look at the first time it was used in the King James bible. Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again , he cannot see the kingdom of God. ... 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ... 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.   It would be natural to assum

OBS: God's Word is a Progressive Plan (Part.5.2) This is  Part 5  of the Series Click here for  Part 5.1 (Point #1) TWO interesting points that required a 'CHANGE IN COMMUNICATION' Point #2 I'd like to expand on a piece of information Peter mentions in the second scripture in Part #1 . The scripture in focus is the following, 1 Peter 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten [born, birthed] us again  to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Peter mentions the fact that 'us', in reference to the Jews (Israel) have been begotten (or birthed) AGAIN! Born again? Firstly, what exactly does Peter mean by this, and second, does it line up with what the modern church and many Christians say today? So, in other words, what does 'born again' REALLY mean in the true biblical context, and does it REALLY have any significance in this