SAUL THE PERSECUTOR DID NOT “BECOME” ‘PAUL THE APOSTLE’

I keep coming across a “sticky” misconception that God (specifically, Jesus) changed the name of an important figure we now typically refer to as “Saint Paul.”

In a recent sermon, I heard: “Just like Saul the persecutor can become Paul the apostle, God is gracious to us.” On an exam, one of my brightest students wrote: “It is Saul, who is re-named as Pau...

Sunday School Summary, April 25, 2021
Lesson Text: Romans 8:18-27
Lesson Title: “Anticipating Redemption”
Time & Place:A.D. 56; Corinth

Dr. James A. May, Senior Pastor, Victory Christian Tabernacle Church

Things to Know about Speaking in Tongues

The spiritual gift of speaking in tongues remains controversial in our day and is a subject deserving of our close attention. This short article is not designed to argue that tongues are still valid but simply attempts to describe the nature and function of tongues speech.

1: The "tongues" spoken on the Day of Pentecost were real human languages.

The variety of nations represented [vv. 8-11] would certainly confirm this. The wo...

Why Christians worship on Sunday instead of the Saturday (the old Sabbath)?

The Christian community as a whole does not keep the Sabbath because it was a part of the legal requirements of the Law, and according to the New Testament the Christian today is not under such legal requirements like circumcision, and Sabbath keeping, Instead, we are to produce the righteousness of the Law, the character of Christ, through the Spirit (see Rom. 6:14; 7:1-8:13; 2 Cor. 3:4-18; Gal. 3-5).

Some religious sects who worship on Saturday (the old Sabbath) try to claim that Jesus was crucified on Wednesday. This is an attempt to nullify one of the reason that Christians worship on first day of the week [Sunday, “The Lord’s Day”]. One of the reasons we worship on the first day of the week because Jesus was resurrected on the first day (Sunday) of the week/  Furthermore,  after his resurrection, the early church worshipped on the first day of the week. H...

Daily Bible Reading - Bible Study Tool Online 

Click on "Today's Bible Reading" link to read each Daily Bible Reading  

These l...

FOUR STRATEGIES GOD HAS GIVEN US TO FIGHT THE BATTLE AGAINST SATAN

By Rev. / Dr. James A. May

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ...

The "Benefits" of Un-forgiveness

How people were saved during the time of the Old Testament is a confusing question to some. We know that, in the New Testament era, salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus is the Way(John 14:6). But, before Christ, what was the way?

A common misconception about the Old Testament way of salvation is that Jews were saved by keeping the Law. But we know from Scripture that that is not true. Galatians 3:11 says, “Now it i...

Is it possible that for some to believe in Jesus and still not be saved? 

by Joe McKeever

Reprint from  - Pastor Resources Daily January 27, 2016

23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

 ...

Traits of a Godly Wife

Dr. John Barnett

You only get one chance in life to build a wonderful, Biblical marriage. It is worth the wait. Don’t squander one of the greatest areas of life by doing your own thing instead of God’s.

...

The recent discovery and translation of the fourth-century "Jesus 'wife papyrus" has reopened the discussion as to whether Jesus had a wife /was married. The "Jesus' wife papyrus" says, "Jesus said to them,'My wife ...'" This discovery is interesting in that it is the first Gnostic writing to explicitly state that Jesus had a wife. While a couple of the Gnostic gospels mention Jesus having a close relationship with Mary Magdalene, none of them specifically state that Jesus was married to her ...

God’s View of a Woman

FRANK VIOLA  (Excerpts)

Note the following passages:

And THE WOMEN also, which came with Him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the tomb, and how His body was laid. (Luke 23:55)

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with THE WOMEN and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren. (Acts 1:14)

Let’s take a trip back to ancient Israel and look at how women were viewe...

"What is sola scriptura?"

Answer: The phrase sola scriptura is from the Latin: sola having the idea of “alone,” “ground,” “base,” and the word scriptura meaning “writings”—referring to the Scriptures. Sola scriptura means that Scripture alone is authoritative for the faith and practice of the Christian. The Bible is complete, authoritative, and true. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, cor...

How to Grow Closer to Your Spouse Despite Your Differences

Whitney Hopler

Editor's note: The following is a report on the practical applications of Poppy Smith's new book, Why Can’t He Be More Like Me?: 9 Secrets to Understanding Your Husband (Harvest House, 2012).

God has made you and your spouse two completely different people, and the many differences between you can prove frustrating when you’re struggling to understand each other. But if...

“Is It Ok to Ever Tell a Lie?”

By Rev. / Dr. James May

Lying is probably one of the most common sins that we commit.  When we research our Bible there is nothing that indicates that lying could be considered the right thing to do.  The Bible prohibits us from “bearing false witnesses against our neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16).  The Bible also list “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who pours out lies” as two ...

Why Worrying is a Failure to Grasp the Gospel

Trevin Wax, Author, Pastor

"Don't be a worry wart!" people say… and those of us prone to anxiety promptly begin worrying about worrying too much.

I know the feeling. I worry too. I'm not the "lie awake at night" kind of person. But I notice that when I have a lot on my plate, I give an inordinate amount of attention to little details. Worry consumes me ina variety of ways: I lose patience quickly, I snap at my wife a...

In  response to my email regarding “Is the Jehovah's Witness "Bible" and the NIV" Bible" the same?” I received the following reply.  I responded to this email.  I am sending my response as a learning tool and for "spiritual growth."  I am asking if anyone does not want to receive email from me, please let me know and I will not send anymore. I have removed the name and age of the person who sent this email to protect their identity.  God bless!

...

How to be a Winning Husband

By Whitney Hopler

Editor's Note: The following is a report on the practical applications of Brian Goins' book, Playing Hurt: A Guy’s Strategy for a Winning Marriage, (Kregel Publications, 2012).

Just like it’s hard for sports players to stay in the game after they’ve gotten hurt, it’s challenging to keep working on your marriage after your wife hurts you. You may feel like giving up hope of a better marriage w...