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Month: May 2017

Notes on the Origin of the New Testament Canon

Notes on the Origin of the New Testament Canon

The New Testament canon was established early, by Holy Spirit

New Testament Canon
The New Testament canon was established early, by Holy Spirit

The New Testament canon was established in the first century by Holy Spirit. Let’s examine some notes on the scriptures which confirm this fact:

2 Peter 1:16-21 – Peter affirms Old Testament prophets wrote God’s word. He puts himself and other apostles in the same category.

2 Peter 3:15-16 – Paul’s letters were on the same level as all the “rest of the scriptures.” That is, inspired of God. Early Greek manuscripts show Paul writing 14 letters.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – The rest of the scriptures (the Old Testament) are inspired of God. We can broaden this now, and apply the principle to all 66 canonical books as shown below: read more

Are People Predestined, or Do They Have Free Will?

Are People Predestined, or Do They Have Free Will?

Free Will
Do humans really have free will?

Are humans predestined, or do they have free will?

‘Predestination’ is a word often used to signify God’s foreordaining of all events of world history — past, present, and future. This usage is quite appropriate. In Scripture and historic Protestant theology, ‘predestination’ refers specifically  to God’s decision, made in eternity before the world existed, regarding the final destinies of individual persons . . . it is usual in Protestant theology to define predestination as including both God’s decision to save some from sin (election) and the corresponding decision  not to save others (reprobation)”—The Reformation Study Bible, page 1345 read more

Who is the Antichrist According to the Bible?

Who is the Antichrist According to the Bible?

Who is the antichrist?In the past, much effort has been made to identify “The Antichrist” as being one prominent individual, such as Pompey, Nero, Mohammed, or the Papacy. Today, many preachers and denominations say there is going to appear on the world scene in the future, just before the end, a very charismatic world leader and deceiver that the Bible calls ‘THE ANTICHRIST.”  Such Biblical prognosticators even use scriptures from Daniel about the “little horn,” and Revelation about “a beast coming up out of the sea,” to “prove” their point. They have developed quite an elaborate story about what “The Antichrist” is “predicted” to do in the future. read more

Extraordinary Claims – Extraordinary Proof – Jesus’ Resurrection

Extraordinary Claims – Extraordinary Proof – Jesus’ Resurrection

extraordinary claim
It is an extraordinary claim that Jesus rose from the dead

“He is not here, but He has been resurrected” (Luke 24:6 HCSB). Is there extraordinary proof of Jesus’ resurrection? The claim that Jesus rose from the dead is extraordinary. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. What is the strongest proof that Jesus was resurrected? Let’s start at the point of beginning, and work, or build from there.

This beginning point is that the universe, the earth, etc. very strongly witness to God’s existence as Creator. Psalm 19:1 says: “the heavens declare the glory of God.” (NIV) read more

Where is our Last Common Ancestor (LCA)?

Where is our Last Common Ancestor (LCA)?

Last Common Ancestor (LCA)
Darwinists persistently assert that there is a “missing link” between humans and apes

“He catches the wise in their own foolishness”—1 Corinthians 3:19 NIV

“We still have not found the missing link between us and apes” is the title of an article published by BBC News on May 18, 2017. The article is about the search for a “missing link.” Since there are no living creatures that fill in the gaps or “missing links” between humans and apes, Darwinists persistently assert that there was a “last common ancestor” (LCA). “Most people know it by a non-scientific name: ‘the missing link.'” read more

Different Resurrection Appearances – ‘Proofs,’ or Contradictions?

Different Resurrection Appearances – ‘Proofs,’ or Contradictions?

Different resurrection appearances
Some have claimed the different accounts of resurrection appearances are “proof” of contradictions

Some have claimed the different accounts of Jesus’ resurrection appearances in the four Gospels and 1 Corinthians are “proofs” these Bible books are riddled with errors and contradictions. If true, these would, in turn,” prove” the Bible not to be inspired of God, or infallible, as many Christians believe that it is.

The Bible itself says that these different resurrection appearances confirm the Bible’s inspiration by God.

“To whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3 NKJV, emphasis added) read more

Why Many Do Not Believe

Why Many Do Not Believe

Many do not believe in God
Why do many people not believe in God?

Why do many people not believe in God or his word the Bible? Why are so many people lacking faith? A person with genuine Bible-based faith is referred to as “one who sees Him who is invisible.” (Heb 11:27 CSB)

In one special case, Elisha’s servant was given the ability to see otherwise invisible angelic forces, arrayed against the Syrian army: “Elisha prayed: ‘Yahweh,’ he said, ‘open his eyes and make him see.’ Yahweh opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw the mountain covered in fiery horses and chariots surrounding Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17 NJB). Although miraculous things like this don’t happen today, these events are recorded in the most reliable record in existence, God’s Word, the Bible. God, Jesus, and angels are just as real today, and we can see evidence of this with “the eyes of [our] understanding” (Ephesians 1:18 NKJV) “by faith” (2 Corinthians 5:7).  read more

What Name Should Christians Be Called, and Why?

What Name Should Christians Be Called, and Why?

Early Christians
When were Christians first called “Christians?”

The Name “Christians”

Today, Christians are called by such names as, Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Baptists, Pentecostals, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Lutherans, and many other names. But, according to the Bible, what name should Christians really be called, and why? How long has the term “Christian” been in use, and who invented it? The answer to these questions can be found in the Bible.

“It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians” (Acts 11:26 NAB). God was behind the development of the use of the term “Christians” within a few years of the start of Christianity. Notice how this verse can also be rendered: “the disciples also were divinely called first in Antioch Christians” (Young’s Literal Translation). read more

Eyewitnesses of Jesus’ Death, Burial, and Resurrection

Eyewitnesses of Jesus’ Death, Burial, and Resurrection

Witnesses of Jesus
Were there any eyewitnesses to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection?

Critics of the Bible claim there are no eyewitnesses of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. This article takes an objective look at the facts.

“[The Gospels] were written down thirty-five to sixty-five years after Jesus’ death . . . not by people who were eyewitnesses, but by people living later”—Jesus, Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millenneum, 2005, pages 44-45, by Bart Ehrman

“There is not a sentence concerning Jesus in the entire New Testament  by anyone who had ever met the unwilling King of the Jews”—Jesus and Yahweh, 2005, page 19, by H. Bloom read more

The Spiritual Use of “Israel” in the Bible

The Spiritual Use of “Israel” in the Bible

Spiritual descendants
Spiritual, not fleshly, descendants of Abraham are the real Israel that counts with God

Who was God talking about when he made the promise to Abraham about his seed? Was the promise only referring to his physical offspring? Or, is there such a thing as “Spiritual Israel?”

“Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people! Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children. For the Scriptures say, ‘Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,’ though Abraham had other children, too. This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children.” (Romans 9:6-8 NLT) read more

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