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 dis...

Paul's Credibility (Part 3) Paul made some incredible claims in his writings. He claims to be the "mater builder", "the Apostle to the Gentiles" and encourages his converts that they should "imitate and follow him". In this short series we will investigate these claims and determine how Paul could say such bold things. This study will bring validity and confirmation to the credibility of Paul and to the scriptures he was inspired to write to the Body of Christ. This is Part 3  of the series. To gain the full context of this article, please start in Part 1 here . Paul could boldly speak these claims because the ascended Lord chose him. Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him (Ananias), Go! For this one is a chosen vessel to...

The Progressive Content of Paul's Epistles After Acts 28:28, when Paul turns his focus wholly to the Gentiles, one sees a change in the content of his epistles. With careful study one finds much less references to Old Testament quotes and to Jewish customs and traditions. This post will provide some insights as to why. Interesting Fact:  In Paul's writings from after  Acts 28 , —that is in his "Prison Epistles -  Ephesians to Colossians ", —one finds minimal references to Old Testament quotes or any mention of Jewish customs or traditions. Why is this? My answer would be that in Acts 28:28 he mentions that his attention will now turn to the Gentiles as they were receptive to his message. Paul spent years in his early ministry trying to bring the Jews to salvat...

OBS: ACTS, The Transition (Part 4) The focus is not so much on studying Acts, as it is on using the book to teach us about dispensation truths. Acts 1:4  ...  And, being assembled together with them, [He] commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  ... See the video lesson of this study here. All Jews had to be saved first! As Jesus earthly ministry progressed from his early ministry to his resurrection and ascension, we see a specific trend in his instructions to the disciples with regards to the audience they could preach to. Notice this in the following bulleted points below, Throughout His ministry, Jesus was clear that the disciples DO NOT go to Gentiles or the Samaritans . ( Matt.10:...

Paul's Credibility (Part 2) Paul made some incredible claims in his writings. He claims to be the "mater builder", "the Apostle to the Gentiles" and encourages his converts that they should "imitate and follow him". In this short series we will investigate these claims and determine how Paul could say such bold things. This study will bring validity and confirmation to the credibility of Paul and to the scriptures he was inspired to write to the Body of Christ. This is Part 2, and a continuation of  Part 1 of the study started here . (Please read Part 1 for context). How could Paul claim all these things only a few years after Christ's ministry? It all starts here... Genesis 12:1-5 Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great n...

OBS: ACTS, The Transition (Part 3) The focus is not so much on studying Acts, as it is on using the book to teach us about dispensation truths. Acts 1:3  ...  To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God : ... See the video lesson of this study here . The Kingdom vs Grace Way of Living The focus of this study, (based on scriptures from the book of Acts), is to look deeper into the statement of Luke where he writes of Jesus speaking of 'things pertaining to the Kingdom of God' . What are these 'things' Jesus spoke of? What things pertain to the Kingdom of God? What is the Kingdom of God? Let's see what the scriptures say. When Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God (or when the Gospel of Matthew mention...