Content on Ephesians 2:1–3
44 results
-
Ephesians 2:3 – By Nature Children of Wrath
Does this passage prove the Calvanistic doctrine of hereditary total depravity? Not in the least.
-
Exploring the Meaning of “By Nature” in Ephesians 2:3
This article explores the interpretation of the phrase “by nature” in Ephesians 2:3, discussing various viewpoints from theologians and examining how Paul used the term in other biblical passages.
-
Are Infants by Nature Children of Wrath?
Does the Bible say that little babies are by nature born in sin?
-
What Is Worldliness?
The term “worldly” is not uncommon in our language. But what does the word really signify?
-
Spiritual Warfare Is Real, Difficult, and Dangerous
The devil is after us. He wants us to join him in hell’s fire. In Ephesians 6:12-18, the apostle Paul pleads with Christians to take the devil’s malicious plans seriously. He calls upon us to appropriate the only available means to stand against the wiles of Satan — the whole armor of God. Such w...
-
A Realistic Look at Sin
If you want to liven up a conversation, introduce the subject of sin. Is sin a reality or a figment of our imagination?
-
Translation
"Translation" is the process of bringing the message of the Scriptures from the original languages -- Hebrew, Aramaic (O.T.), and Greek (N.T.) -- into the various languages and dialects of the nations of the world. Translations vary in quality. Producing a translation from one language to another...
-
Sin
More than a dozen words are used in the Greek N.T. to represent various aspects of "sin" (e.g., bad, evil, transgression, iniquity, trespass, godless, unrighteous, etc.). The most frequently employed word is hamartia (173 times), which provides the picture of "missing the mark." The word is used ...
-
Ransom
Jesus once declared that he came to this earth to give up his life as a "ransom" for others (cf. Mt. 20:28; Mk. 10:45). The term for "ransom" is lutron. Lutron derives from luo, "to loose," and when the suffix is added, the meaning suggested is "the means of loosing." In the O.T., the word was us...
-
Quicken
This English term is a rendition of the Greek zoopoieo, "to make alive." It is found about a dozen times in the N.T. and is rendered by such expressions as "quicken," "give life," and "make alive." Consider these facts: (a) The power to "make alive" is always attributed either to God (Jn. 5:21; R...
-
Life
Life may be viewed under two categories -- physical life and spiritual life. (a) All biological organisms are characterized by physical "life." A living creature has independent movement, processes food and oxygen, reproduces, etc. Life is a mystery that science cannot explain. It is a "gift" fro...
-
Infants
Contrary to the denominational claim that infants are born in sin, the Bible teaches otherwise. • Children do not inherit evil from their parents (Ezekiel 18:20). • The practice of sin begins in "youth" (Genesis 9:21), not at birth. • Both Jesus and Paul used little children as models to emulate ...
-
Depravity, Total
The doctrine of hereditary total depravity is also known as "original sin" in Roman Catholicism. This concept asserts that all children come into the world with both the effects and guilt of Adam's original sin. By "heredity," therefore, they are totally (completely) depraved (evil). Proponents o...
-
Death
Death is a term that, in one sense or another, suggests the idea of separation. Physical death is that state of the body which is separated from the "spirit" or "soul" (Gen. 25:8; 35:18; Jas. 2:26). Death is a mystery that demands an explanation. Atheism is unable to provide one. If nature has th...
-
Blood
Blood is a prominent theme in the Bible. Because blood is the life stream of a person (Lev. 17:11), it becomes the biblical representation of life. Because of sin, man has forfeited the right to live (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1). To satisfy the justice of God, a blood-offering was required (H...
-
Paul’s First Recorded Sermon
Explore Paul’s first sermon in Antioch of Pisidia. (See the picture of the archaeological ruins.) His message is still relevant to the debate over predestination and salvation through baptism.
-
Do We Have a Choice About Salvation?
Throughout God’s word, the responsibility of mankind to make a choice between serving God and Satan is clearly set forth.
-
The Blood of Christ Across the Centuries
The Lamb’s blood flows from the book of Genesis all the way through the book of Revelation, and there are valuable lessons all along the way.
-
Satan: Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know, But Were Afraid To Ask
Is Satan an actual living, personal being? What does the Bible reveal about this malevolent enemy of God and man?
-
Why Would a Loving God Send Us to Hell?
Is the doctrine of eternal punishment in hell consistent with the idea of a good and loving God?
