“Debunking the biblical myths believed by the big dummies of this world” The Scriptures are simple enough that a child can understand them (I don’t need qualified and trained pastors). The passage normally referred to by those making such claims is (Mark 10:15//The dummies’ interp. = The Scriptures are so simple that they can be […]
What We Must Never Forget About Christ’s Ordained Shepherds
When there is a refusal to trust, listen and submit, the ordained pastor of Christ’s church is put into a very unfortunate situation since what those committing such crimes are now guilty of, is insurrection or the unforgiveable sin. This was the situation in the Corinthian church at the time of Paul’s second letter and […]
Matthew 9 – Part 1: The Rarely Recognized (And Often Questioned) Actions Of Ministers And Ministries Appointed By God
Chapter eight’s theme/title/topic of Submission To God provided the perfect follow-up to Jesus’ corrective sermons on the Law, holy habits and the gospel (in chapters 5 thru 7) since this (submission to God) is the key to applying and accomplishing those things. Submission to God is also what produces ministers and ministry appointed by God. […]
Matthew: One-Third Review – Part 2
Given its rich supply of Old Testament allusions (the most of all the gospels) and the author’s ability to reveal redemptive truths both Old and New (Mat 13:52 = Matthew was a Levite scribe; Mar 2:14), Matthew should be the lens and launching pad for anyone wanting to understand their Bibles – or more specifically, […]
Understanding the Sacraments
Understanding the Sacraments 1. There are two sacraments prescribed by Christ for the New Covenant community (i.e. the church): baptism and the Lord’s Table (Mat 28:19; Luk 22:19-20). 2. Sacraments are covenant signs which carry supernatural significance in that God gives what the sign signifies when observed by His covenant communities (Bap […]
A Biblical Consideration of Honorifics
A Biblical Consideration of Honorifics An honorific is a title that conveys esteem or respect for position or rank when used in addressing or referring to someone. 1. Honorifics are used in the Bible when addressing strangers, those in authority or non-peers (different social status). (Jud 6:13; Mat 20:30-33, 8:6; Mar 10:51, 11:21; Luk 14:22; […]
Matthew 5 – Part 14: Civil Disobedience/Disrespect Is Prohibited
9.5. Civil Disobedience/Disrespect Is Prohibited (38-42) 9.5.1. Injunction #5: (38a) “You have heard that it was said” = (As discussed), this phrase represents the beginning of an ancient rabbinic formula used to signal that the customary/current view (regarding a particular law/injunction) was about to be challenged as false or deficient. In this case, the injunction […]
Matthew 5 – Part 7: Old Testament Authoritative for New Covenant
8. There are many today who think that the obligation to obey the Old Testament Scriptures has been removed (in part or whole) as essential to salvation for the New Covenant Christian[1]. What they fail to consider is not only the content, clarity and consequences of Jesus’ teaching in Mat 5:17-20, but also that: 8.1. […]
Matthew 3.1 – John the Baptist and Jesus’ baptism
CHAPTER (THREE) SYNOPSIS = John the Baptist (1-12) and the Baptism of Jesus (13-17). Matthew’s account of these events is also recorded in (Luk 3:1-22; Mar 1:1-11 and Joh 1:19-34). There are few events within the gospels that receive coverage by more than one of its authors, much less all of its authors! Such frequency […]
Why You Want the Church to Possess Authority
Why You Want The Church To Possess Authority Many people today balk at the thought of the church possessing any spiritual authority[1]. This is particularly true among Evangelicals. A church that possesses any level of spiritual authority is, in their minds a dangerous idea. This historically though, was not always true. As a matter of […]
Matthew Introduction – Part 9: Possessing the same view of the Bible as Jesus and its human authors
(How?) should we read, study and interpret Matthew’s gospel? There is no reading of Scripture that is not- to some degree, also an attempt at interpreting the Scripture. This becomes obvious once we realize the Bible does not provide its own commentary (or study notes). As such, the question which must be considered before endeavoring […]
Matthew Introduction – Part 6: Jesus Was Not An Insurrectionist
(Why?) did Matthew NOT write his gospel? Traditionally, inquiry into the author’s purpose is stated in the positive versus the negative as it is here. However, this particular dialectic approach to Matthew’s gospel has enormous value – especially when attempting to “root out” modern misconceptions about Jesus, His ministry or the Christian Faith in general. […]
Welcome to Denver Reformed Church: We are not Evangelical. We are Biblical, Historical, Reformed.
1. Biblical, Historical, Reformed in our view of God and self: Sovereign Loving God + Happy Doulos. 2. Biblical, Historical, Reformed in our view of the Church: Christ’s Authority + Table
The Authority of God’s Pastor – Part 1
Though completely unbiblical, the popular position today in relation to this issue (the authority of the pastor) is that he has no authority. The combination of pastor and authority – it is believed, leads only to abuse (“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” – John Dalberg-Acton). As a result, the way the […]