The Beauty of Peace (Mark 5:34)
In our church, we are going thru the Gospel of Mark. In Mark 5 there is the wonderful account of a woman who had an issue of blood for 12 years. According to Lev 15, this meant that this woman had spent those 12 years in an experience of walking death. Everyone she touched became […]
Jesus Said It First (Rom 3:8)
Years ago, there was a popular country song called “I Loved Her First.” It was about a young woman getting married. The song is from the perspective of the woman’s father. He reminds the groom that the father loved the girl first. I also remember years ago that someone in a Bible study said everything […]
A Great Trait for All Christians (Acts 18:24)
In Acts 18:24 we are introduced to a man by the name of Apollos. We are told that he was an “eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures.” He lived in a Greek culture where eloquence was a much desired trait. Luke goes on to say that Apollos had been “instructed in the way of […]
Moldy Bread and Serving the Lord (Mark 5:19-20)
Many years ago, Mohammed Ali was talking about the importance of education. He encouraged young people to stay in school and not lose heart. “After all,” he said, “if they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, they can make something out of you.” The point he was making is obvious. Sometimes we feel that […]
Mark’s Unique Parable: World Changers (Mark 4:26-29)
In Mark 4:26-29, we find a parable of the Lord unique to Mark’s Gospel. It doesn’t get much attention. I think the attention it does receive is often superficial. A major reason for this neglect is that this parable is often treated more or less as a repetition of the Parable of the Four Soils […]
Kay Arthur and Precepts Ministries Material
Recently GES received an inquiry about our thoughts concerning Kay Arthur and her ministry, which is known as Precepts Ministries International. I feel fairly confident there are different opinions on this matter, but in answering the inquiry I will be glad to give mine. Kay Arthur’s ministry is very popular and successful. She has written […]
How Context Helps (Mark 4:3)
In Mark 4:3, Jesus begins the Parable of the Four Soils: “Listen! Behold a sower went out to sow.” Anyone exposed to Free Grace teaching in regards to this parable understands how misunderstood it is by many within Christendom. While everyone agrees that the first soil represents unbelievers, most think that the second and third […]
Free Grace Theology Is Really Important (Mark 4:13)
At the end of the Parable of the Four Soils in Mark 4, the disciples asked the Lord to explain the parable to them. He does so, but before explaining the parable, He asks them a couple of questions. “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?” (Mark 4:13). […]
The Church: Chosen to Reign (Ephesians 1:4-5)
Kenneth W. Yates Editor I. INTRODUCTION Paul uses two verbs in Eph 1:4-5 which deal directly with the issue of election. In the NKJV, the verbs are “to choose” and “to predestine.” The Apostle writes: …just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without […]
Doubt, Faith, and Certainty
Doubt, Faith, and Certainty. By Anthony C. Thiselton. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2017. 160pp. Paper, $20.00. Thiselton is a professor at the University of Nottingham in England and is a well-known NT scholar. The title of this book caught my eye. I was interested in how Thiselton defined faith and whether he felt a believer […]