The term “grace” occurs about 155 times in the New Testament. The word relates to the Greek term chairo, meaning “to rejoice,” and grace itself comes to mean favor, gratification, or gratitude — d...

The word “accursed” (KJV) translates the Greek anathema four times in the New Testament. It carries the weighty idea of being “devoted to destruction,” a term that should be approached with caution...

Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome develops the theme of God’s gospel plan of justification for sinful man on the ground Christ’s atoning death. The book demonstrates that redemption could not...

This is an expression used frequently in the Old Testament to describe those who forsook their loyalty to God and began to serve Satan again. 

No fewer than thirteen times, the prophet Jeremiah re...

Jude, a brother of James, and half-brother of Jesus (1:1; Mt. 13:55), is the author of this general epistle. As he was in the process of beginning a letter relative to the “common salvation,” he wa...

Another argument which denies the essential role baptism plays in our salvation is answered.

The Bible is filled with affirmations of our Creator’s generosity. Every good and perfect gift is from him (Jas. 1:17). Surely our gratitude must be lavishly expressed for his graciousness. 

God h...

“Confession” means “to say the same thing.” 

In connection with our salvation, confession is the personal acknowledgment of the transgressions in our lives that God has spoken of and condemned thr...

Does baptism come before or after the salvation contemplated in 1 Peter 3:21?

The book of Ephesians was a letter written by Paul from Rome while he was in prison (AD 60-62). The book develops the theme of “God’s eternal purpose” (3:10-11). It reveals that even before the wor...

When the plan of salvation is so easy to understand, why do some go to such great lengths to obscure it?

Paul commended Timothy for making “the good confession” before many witnesses (1 Tim. 6:12). 
The word “confession” comes from the Greek homologia, which means “to say the same thing.” It implies a...

This article examines the theological foundation of Calvinism, its doctrine of predestination, and the implications of this doctrine for understanding salvation and evangelism.

A number of terms, both in the O.T. and the N.T., suggest the idea of a “path” or “way” of travel. The words come to be employed of a “course of conduct,” whether for good (Ex. 18:20; 32:8; Dt. 31:...

Those who teach that salvation is solely by faith, without further acts of obedience, have a difficult time reconciling Paul with himself. Study this matter with us.

Benedict XVI, the current “pope” of the Roman Catholic Church, recently ignited a firestorm of controversy by reaffirming the oft-made church claim that salvation is found exclusively in the Roman Church.

A remarkable passage in John demonstrates that a human response is required in God’s plan of salvation.

The practice of baptism “for the dead” is mentioned once in the New Testament. “If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?” (1 Cor. 15:29). Though the passage is somewh...

Though this word is not found in most English translations of the New Testament, the thought is there in the Greek text. It is an anglicized form of the original term antitupos. The term is rendere...

Based upon a misunderstanding of Ephesians 2:8, some argue that “faith” is a gift from God, and that it is not, therefore, a condition of salvation. This theory is the offspring of Calvinism. This week’s question explores this issue.