Category Archives: Gospel

The Strange Case of Symbolic Baptism: A Doctrine in Search of a Text

Posted on 07/06/2026 by Paul Pavao

I’m looking at a defense of symbolic baptism written by a an intelligent and godly man with long experience in the Scriptures. You may be like him, a follower of Jesus that, to borrow a John Wesley quote about Georg … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Dealing with Scripture Honestly, Gospel, honesty, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Will God Judge You by Your Church Membership?

Posted on 06/29/2026 by Paul Pavao

I was asked, “Can I be saved if I don’t join the Eastern Orthodox?” I answered: I am so sorry you are having to ask this question. Here’s the simplest answer I can give you. Read Ezekiel 18:20-32; Matthew 25:31-46; … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, Dealing with Scripture Honestly, Early Christianity, Gospel, Holiness, Modern Doctrines, Roman Catholic & Orthodox, Teachings that must not be lost, Unity | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Connecting the Dots: Why Paul and John Speak Differently About Eternal Life

Posted on 06/26/2026 by Paul Pavao

I asked ChatGPT what I could do in the public forum to communicate better. In fact, I used the phrase “be more systematic.” It replied: If I were looking for one improvement in your public communication, it would not be … Continue reading →

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The Beauty of Men Who Stay on Mission

Posted on 05/22/2026 by Paul Pavao

I taught one of our “summer-nary” classes last Sunday, and I finally got the teaching right. I not only prayed for, but really believed, that God would speak and that those who heard me would not hear my words but … Continue reading →

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What Does Aphesis Mean? Forgiveness, Jubilee, and Freedom in Christ

Posted on 05/18/2026 by Paul Pavao

Today the word aphesis seems so important. It is the word Paul and much of the New Testament uses for forgiveness. Well, maybe I should say that translators translate the word as forgiveness. It is the same Greek word that … Continue reading →

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Can We Justify “Protecting” God’s Flock from God’s Warnings?

Posted on 04/11/2026 by Paul Pavao

A friend saw my face and demeanor after a discussion of spiritual gifts, and he kindly checked on me. I told him I sometimes struggle with the fact that everyone agrees my spiritual gift is teaching, but I’m rarely allowed … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Dealing with Scripture Honestly, Evangelicals, Gospel, Holiness, Leadership, Modern Doctrines, Rebuilding the Foundations, Verses Evangelicals Ignore | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Sound an Alarm in God’s Holy Mountain: just because you’ve been deceived about the judgment does not mean you won’t face it

Posted on 03/16/2026 by Paul Pavao

I’m always contending for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. I not only know what it is; I can show you what it is to your satisfaction (if you will give me a hearing). Usually, when I … Continue reading →

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A Fair Summary of Paul’s Gospel? Salvation, Perseverance, and Judgment in His Own Words

Posted on 02/11/2026 by Paul Pavao

What does the apostle Paul actually teach about salvation when all of his words are read together—his promises, his warnings, and his description of God’s grace? The answer is often assumed, but rarely examined in full. even though the apostles … Continue reading →

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Jesus Is Building His Church on Peter’s Confession; Are We?

Posted on 02/08/2026 by Paul Pavao

I was interviewed recently on the “Church Talk” podcast about my book, The Apostles’ Gospel. This is a short summary of what the book and the interview were about. We all know Matthew 16:16 because we want to refute the Catholic … Continue reading →

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King David’s Secret Sauce: Works Are the Prize, Not the Price

Posted on 01/10/2026 by Paul Pavao

There’s a whole paradigm, a worldview, packed into Psalm 119:56: “This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts.” It is a blessing to keep God’s precepts. Titus 2:13-14 tells us that Jesus purchased a people for … Continue reading →

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