Posted in Biblical Theology New Testament Sermon on the Mount

“Salt” & “Light”

I’m reading Stott’s commentary on the Sermon on the Mount and loving this classic. Such a combination of solid reflection, rhetorical excellence, and spiritual fervor….

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Posted in Biblical Theology Old Testament Preaching Prophecy

Fasting on Zion and throughout Nineveh

The prophet Joel calls for fasting at the temple in Jerusalem; and in the book of Jonah, pagans muster themselves to fast and repent in…

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Posted in Biblical Theology New Testament Pneumatology

Charismata: Summary & Conclusion

Peter’s twofold summary of the twenty various gifts of the Spirit is comprehensive but not detailed; he lists the gifts of speaking and of helping…

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Posted in Biblical Theology New Testament Pneumatology

A Canonical Rule

Ignore Anyone Who Ignores These Directions (1 Cor 14:36–38) Paul forbids the Corinthians to start originating novel practices without conforming them to Scripture, which must…

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Posted in Biblical Theology New Testament Pneumatology

Women & the orderly exercise of spiritual gifts (1 Cor 14:33b–35).

This text is one of the most controversial in the New Testament, along with other Pauline texts that regulate the church role of women in…

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Posted in Biblical Theology New Testament Pneumatology

Gifts: Regulated for Order

The gifts should be regulated so that the congregation can maintain order (1 Cor 14:26–33a). This means that a congregation should regulate the frequency of…

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Posted in Biblical Theology New Testament Pneumatology

Sign of Judgment or Salvific Sign (1 Cor 14:21–25)

Uninterpreted tongues are a sign of judgment for unbelievers, interpreted tongues or prophecy can serve as a sign that might lead to repentance (1 Cor…

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Posted in Biblical Theology New Testament Pneumatology

Interpreting messages in tongues

Unedifying Uninterpreted Tongues (1 Cor 14:6–12) Uninterpreted tongues have no power to convey meaning, and thus no power to edify others (1 Cor 14:6–12). Paul…

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Posted in Biblical Theology New Testament Pneumatology

Rules about Messages in Tongues (1 Cor 14:1–25)

Before Paul leaves behind his discussion on how the church should regulate the gifts, he turns from the general exercise of all the gifts to…

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Posted in Biblical Theology New Testament Pneumatology

Imperfect versus Perfect

Friends may fail us—lovers may fail us—but love itself never fails. But then the eternal “God is love” (1 John 4:8). In keeping with the…

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