Defeating the Devil

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“C. S. Lewis wrote to a friend, ‘There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.’” - P&D

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Jesus and the Ascension (Part 2)

See the first article.

Because Jesus is our good shepherd, he’s our guide who cares for us in this life and brings us along to the next. Israel’s leaders (“shepherds”) were basically terrible. Worthless. Unreliable. Bad. It’s not that Jewish people were habitually bad. It’s that all of us are habitually bad! We need a leader from outside to get us out of this mess.

God told us that he’d send a special someone to do a proper job.

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Review of Alex DiPrima’s ‘Spurgeon: A Life’

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“DiPrima’s account is faithful to history, not speaking where God has not spoken, while reminding his readers of God’s sovereignty in saving sinners and enabling the work of ministry.” - Acton

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Pentecost: The Church is Born! (Part 2)

The rich symbolism prescribed for the ancient Hebrew celebration of Pentecost culminated in the inauguration of a brand-new entity in the program of God. It all occurred, according to His perfect plan, on the Pentecost Sunday which was the 50th day following the resurrection of Christ.

As Bruce Scott stated, even in the Hebrew Bible, “Both the so-called Feast of First Fruits and the Feast of Weeks are inextricably linked” (The Feasts of Israel: Seasons of the Messiah [Bellmawr, NJ: The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, 1997], 58).

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The Startling History of Capitol Hill Baptist Church

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“Caleb Morell’s A Light on the Hill takes the long view. This history of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., reminds us that the work is no less God’s work when we’re arguing about pandemic church closures, prohibition, or integration.” - Acton

Discussion

A Consideration of New Covenant Passages (Part 7)

Read the series.

The New Covenant in the Gospels

Coming now to the Four Gospels, let me begin with Simeon’s statement in Luke 2. Luke tells us that Simeon was,

waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (Lk. 2:25)

As far as Simeon was concerned Jesus was to have a dual salvific role to the Gentiles and also to Israel:

Discussion

Why Jesus' Ascension Matters for Christians Today

Jesus ascended back to heaven 40 days after his resurrection. We know this because Luke tells us (Acts 1:3). It’s a very important event, and Luke is the guy who wrote both accounts of it. One is shorter (Lk 24:50-53), and the other is a bit longer (Acts 1:10). Other New Testament writers constantly reference it, too.

Why talk about the ascension?

One big reason is that the Christian story makes no sense without it.

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