Category Archives: Bible

Are We Bible Believers?

Posted on 09/27/2012 by Paul Pavao

U.S. Christians make a lot of claims about being "Bible believers," but mostly they are Bible praisers. They honor and say wonderful things about the Bible, but they really don’t pay much attention to what it says unless it agrees … Continue reading →

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The Five-fold Ministry

Posted on 09/18/2012 by Paul Pavao

I don’t really like the terminology: "Five-fold ministry." However, I can see why it’s used, since five particular gifts are mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-12 as being tasked with the job of perfecting the saints for the work of ministry and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, Gospel, History, Leadership, missions, Modern Doctrines, Roman Catholic & Orthodox | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Through the Bible: Genesis 1:1-2

Posted on 09/18/2012 by Paul Pavao

Well, this is way out of order, isn’t it! Genesis 1 was not next on the list! I am going to get back to Isaiah. Today, however, I was reading Augustine’s The Literal Meaning of Genesis, a 1600-year old book, … Continue reading →

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Through the Bible in a Year: Matthew 1 to 7

Posted on 01/16/2012 by Paul Pavao

I wrote an introduction to this week’s readings. It gives the day by day readings and a way to deal with the extra length of this week’s commentary. It also has a prayer request! In today’s case, you will find … Continue reading →

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Through the Bible in a Year

Posted on 12/31/2011 by Paul Pavao

The YouVersion Bible app on my iPhone is advertising "read through the Bible in a year" programs today. It encouraged me to suggest such a plan to my friends as well. So … For those at Rose Creek Village that … Continue reading →

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The Local Church and the Magisterium

Posted on 12/23/2011 by Paul Pavao

Yesterday, Restless Pilgrim suggested (correctly) that my answer left "intimate fellowships" as deciding the correct interpretation of Scripture. I wanted to elevate my response from a comment to a post. Note that the purpose of the Scriptures is to equip … Continue reading →

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The Magisterium and the Protestant Reformation, Part 2

Posted on 12/21/2011 by Paul Pavao

More responses to the Catholic Encyclopedia’s article, Teaching Authority and Living Magisterium. Definition of "magisterium" from yesterday’s post: The magisterium is the self-assigned and self-acknowledged “teaching authority” of the Roman Catholic Church. It’s a reference to whatever authority gets to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, History, Holiness, Roman Catholic & Orthodox | 10 Comments

No Condemnation to Whom?

Posted on 12/14/2011 by Paul Pavao

You may or may not have noticed, but modern translations differ significantly from the King James Version at Romans 8:1. Modern translations, like the NASB and the NIV, say that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ … Continue reading →

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Traditions, Taboos, and Superstitions

Posted on 12/02/2011 by Paul Pavao

Today I watched a powerful video, When the Rabbi Says "Come," for the second time. It’s one section of a video called In the Dust of the Rabbi. Ray Vander Laan’s excellent portrayal of life in Galilee and the background … Continue reading →

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What Is Christianity?

Posted on 10/31/2011 by Paul Pavao

I got carried away and wrote a long email to a young man who wrote me. It covers evolution, church history, the apostles, the Word of God, the Scriptures, the Gospel, and what is central to Christianity. I hate to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, Evolution and Creation, Gospel, History, Holiness, Modern Doctrines, Unity | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments