Some New Testament passages indicate Christ’s reign will end at some point. Others indicate it will last forever. Is this a contradiction? Can these passages be reconciled?

This expression is found only one time in the N.T. While on the island of Patmos, the apostle John was “in the spirit on the Lord’s day” (Rev. 1:10). But the adjective, kuriakos, “the Lord’s,” is a...

This book, authored by the Lord’s half-brother (Galatians 1:19), is directed to the “twelve tribes scattered abroad.” This is either Jewish Christians or a figurative designation for "spiritual Isr...

It is not an uncommon thing that a Bible verse, which seems so simple, can be so deep and brimming with meaning. Such surely is the case with the apostle John’s tender message in 1 John 2:1-2. In this week’s Penpoints, we contemplate this thrilling passage.

This word comes directly from the Greek blasphemeo, which is believed to derive from blapto (to injure) and pheme (speech), hence injurious speech.

Scripture speaks of those who blaspheme God (Ro...

A study of church discipline, especially the ultimate act of withdrawal of fellowship

The name “Jesus” means “savior.” “Christ” means “anointed.” These names suggest that this noble person was “anointed” of God (Acts 10:38) to be prophet, priest, and king, and indeed, the Savior of ...

This theory attempts to reconcile the six days of creation activity (Gen. 1) with the billions of years required by evolutionary chronology. However, there is overwhelming evidence that the “days” ...

The term “body” is used in Scripture in both literal and figurative sense.

Literal user of the body
In a literal sense, the term “body” in Scripture refers to the physical “tabernacle” in which t...

From the Greek word eschatos (“last”) comes “eschatology,” a study of “last things” (e.g., the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the judgment day, the end of the world, heaven,...

Five important points to remember about the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

A priest is one who offers sacrifice and ministers in services pertaining thereto (cf. Heb. 5:1). This term implies recognition of sin and the need for atonement, in some fashion or another. (a) Th...

This is one of the titles of a church official who oversees a local congregation of Christ’s church in the company of fellow bishops (always a plurality of men).

“Bishop” translates the Greek ter...

It is a noble and worthy challenge to love with the love that Jesus has for all mankind.

Homosexual activity is sexual intimacy between two persons of the same gender. This form of sexual conduct is uniformly condemned in the Bible. (a) It stands outside the divinely prescribed realm o...

The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings, many of which were written by Solomon, king of Israel (cf. 1 Kgs. 4:32), and addressed to his son (presumably Rehoboam). The material within th...

In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was used ceremonially to set apart special roles, especially those of prophets (1 Kgs. 19:16), priests (Ex. 28:41), and kings (1 Sam. 9:16).

The most comm...

John’s first epistle is a defense against the “gnostic” doctrine that alleged that Jesus Christ was not a real, flesh-and-blood human being. This sect claimed a special “knowledge” received directl...

The matter of “stewardship” is a vital biblical concept. The following study in contrast is one that challenges the sincere child of God.