The Holy Spirit in Isaiah (Part 17)

We now presently resume our study of following the mentions and doctrine pertaining to the Holy Spirit throughout the Old Testament. This is by no means meant to be an exhaustive study, but rather to highlight the reality of the orthodox position of the Christian church relating to the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit, and how He is abundantly found in the OT. Likewise, as we shall later see (God willing) that the Holy Spirit’s activity and purpose in the OT is more clearly illuminated once we understand the revelation of His person from the NT.

Creation: A Christian's Bedrock Part 8

The same hopeless labyrinth of error arrives if one carries this conclusion into 1st Corinthians chapter 15. Here is the “nutshell gospel” as I like to call it. This is how Paul began this chapter in his systematic defense of the reality of bodily resurrection, ultimately linking his argument again to the contrast between the first and second Adam. The resurrection was necessary, Paul argues that the natural body of a man with the sin nature is sown and the spiritual body is raised from it.

Creation: A Christian's Bedrock Part 7

Paul clearly indicates (Romans 5:12-21) that many died in Adam (all men) and the sins of many have been dealt with in Christ (all men). That is why Paul wrote that Jesus is the Savior of “all men” especially of those who believe, 1st Timothy 4:10. The issue is what think ye of Jesus? Not whether or not sin has been dealt with. Sin has been dealt with once for all at the cross of Christ.

Creation: A Christian's Bedrock Part 6

In fact, Paul plainly hints that it is through these oncoming tribulations that Christian character is developed; in other words our faith and the fruit of the Spirit which God’s Holy Spirit produces in us become stronger and more defined as we walk with God through said tribulations, Romans 5:3-4. Finally, this building of character crowns with hope that does not disappoint. Here we must not become confused; Paul is not referring to hope in the sense that we use this term in our culture and time.

Creation: A Christian's Bedrock Part 5

Are we to confront and combat this type of teaching as it infiltrates our church and infects many Christians whose faith is shaken when compromise is affirmed by potentially trusted teachers? The answer is certainly in the affirmative. 1st Timothy chapter one begins with just this mentality. Paul opens by telling young Timothy “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia –remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith,” 1st Timothy 1:3-4.

Creation: A Christian's Bedrock Part 4

Verse 25 tells us that just as God proposed, He did. When God looked back on the created order of animals and plants peopling His earth He declared that “it was good.” But He was not yet finished. Verse 26 commences with mankind’s introduction into this universe.

Creation: A Christian's Bedrock Part 3

Verse 14 of Genesis chapter one displays the creation of the heavenly bodies. “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth.” We are told that such lights are “for signs, and seasons, and for days and years.” Again this language strongly suggests a literal acceptance of interpreting Genesis. We have a day-night cycle of 24 hours established, and now we have celestial bodies including (as we shall shortly see) the sun and moon to determine “seasons, and days and years.” Though God created light three days prior to the advent of the sun and moon, now He created rotating bodies to circle the earth to provide a clock by which people can gauge time.

Creation: A Christian's Bedrock Part 2

Returning more directly to the matter at hand, let’s refer back to the language of Genesis chapter one. It would serve as a great learning experience to slow down and consider how the writer of Genesis constructs the account of creation, and how the Holy Spirit moved this man to pen what we now know was God’s chosen method of developing our world and universe of time, space, and matter.

Creation: A Christian's Bedrock

Have you, as a Christian, ever paused to consider what the significance of having a proper worldview is? Consider this: how many Christians today believe in a literal, six-day creation? How many think that this is a true account of Biblical creation, or if they do, that it has any real relevance concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ? I would like to take a thoughtful look at the creation account as the Bible puts it forth, and to see what kind of significance God places on a correct view of creation.