PHall | November 4, 2009
Paul, a former rabbi educated in Jewish religious and cultural ways was protected and prepared. After his spiritual conversion (or completion, as Messianic Jews speak of it), he instructed others concerning the correlation of both covenants. Somewhere along the way, he learned tent-making (Acts 20:3). Paul had prepared himself. More specifically, Paul had probably been [...]
Category: Acts, I Timothy, II Corinthians, Matthew |
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Tags: Article, Parenting
PHall | October 15, 2009
The term last days is used in scripture to refer to this dispensation that started on the day of Pentecost and will end at the Second Coming (Acts 2:17; 1 Timothy 3:1; James 5:3; 1 Corinthians 10:11). At first, it might appear the Hebrew writer is using this phrase similarly, but that cannot be so. [...]
Category: Acts, Hebrews, I Corinthians, I Timothy, James |
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Tags: Commentary, Eschatology
PHall | October 13, 2009
From the very best to the very worst; that is, from godly parents to ungodly children. “How does this happen?” This discouraging conundrum is seen several times in the Bible where a very good and godly parent raises a very evil and devilish child. Or as happens more often, how could godly parents have [...]
Category: I Timothy, II Chronicles, II Kings, Luke, Zephaniah |
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Tags: Article, Parenting
PHall | October 12, 2009
Are you willing to help? Are you willing to serve? If you do not consider yourself willing to help or serve, then never mind the qualifications for a deacon. You cannot be qualified unless you are already helping and serving. If you are willing to help, but do not qualify, please continue—our deacons [...]
Category: Acts, I Peter, I Timothy |
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Tags: Article, Church Growth
PHall | October 12, 2009
We began the process of selecting elders with constant congregational prayer. Then, we proceeded with an intense study of scriptures. Thirdly we examined ourselves and the men of the congregation. Hopefully we spent more time examining ourselves than others. Finally the last couple of weeks, we have begun finishing what we started last year by [...]
Category: I Corinthians, I Timothy, James, Titus |
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Tags: Article, Church Growth, Eldership
PHall | October 12, 2009
“Sorry, We’re Closed;” “Sale;” “New Store Hours” – these are commonly placed signs in windows of businesses. Some signs express hope, “Under New Management.” Others, the demise of hope – “Going Out of Business.” As an aside, I heard of one store whose going out of business sale was so successful he decided to have [...]
Category: Ephesians, Hebrews, I Timothy, James, Luke, Matthew |
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Tags: Article, Church Growth, Evangelism
PHall | October 12, 2009
Let’s approach the topic positively. Did God provide the work? Did God provide the way? How did God provide the way? Who did God provide for the work? Did God Provide the Work? There are only four works God provided for His local congregations to do: Reaching UP – Worshipping God (1 Corinthians 11); [...]
Category: Acts, Ephesians, Hebrews, I Corinthians, I Timothy, Philippians |
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Tags: Article, Denominationalism, Institutionalism, Work of the Church
PHall | October 7, 2009
Paul’s Writing Style (James MacKnight, MacKnight on the Epistles, pp.26-27) 1. “In the first place, a concise unadorned style in preaching and writing, though accompanied with some obscurity, was, in the apostle’s situation, preferable to the clear and elegant manner of writing practiced by the Grecian orators… (1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:4).” 2. “In the [...]
Category: Bible, Colossians, Ephesians, Galatians, I Corinthians, I Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Corinthians, II Thessalonians, II Timothy, Philemon, Philippians, Romans, Titus |
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Tags: Introduction
PHall | October 5, 2009
Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief for this would be unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17) To whom is this command directed? It is directed to the church concerning their relationship [...]
Category: Acts, Hebrews, I Peter, I Timothy, Romans |
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Tags: Commentary, Eldership, Leadership
PHall | October 1, 2009
Have you ever been misunderstood? Welcome to the human race! In fact, one of Hollywood’s most famous lines comes from Cool Hand Luke: “What we have here is a failure to communicate.” It seems that we humans have perfected the art of misunderstanding more so than understanding. The failure to communicate has caused wars, strained [...]
Category: Hermeneutics, I Corinthians, I Timothy, James, John, Luke, Nehemiah |
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Tags: Article, Preaching