Category Archives: Gospel

Interpreting Paul’s Epistle to the Romans

Posted on 06/30/2024 by Paul Pavao

I wrote this on Facebook today: How can you correctly interpret Romans if you don’t believe its foundational precepts? “Those who practice such things are worthy of death” (1:32) and “to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Dealing with Scripture Honestly, Gospel, Modern Doctrines, Verses Evangelicals Ignore | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus Triumphantly Rescued Us! Atonement by Ransom

Posted on 04/30/2024 by Paul Pavao

From a comment I put on Facebook: It was not until yesterday that I realized the full import of Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14. Both are saying we have been released because we were ransomed by his blood (Gr. apolutrosis), … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Christianity, Gospel, Modern Doctrines, Rebuilding the Foundations, Teachings that must not be lost | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Does Even the Slightest Sin Deserve Eternal Damnation?

Posted on 04/25/2024 by Paul Pavao

Calvinists like to quote James 2:10 to teach that even the slightest sin requires eternal damnation. Here’s my response from my book, Rebuilding the Foundations: The passage is in James 2 and talks about showing favoritism to one another, yet … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Evangelicals, Gospel, Modern Doctrines, Protestants | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tobit, Jesus, and the Breathtaking Power of Almsgiving from Within

Posted on 04/25/2024 by Paul Pavao

Jesus told the Pharisees, “But give that which is within as charity and, behold, all things are clean for you” (Luke 11:41, NASB with note). Tobit says something similar: “For almsgiving saves from death and purges away every sin. Those … Continue reading →

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Today’s Hodge-Podge: Messengers, Large Church Meetings, Archippus, and Apostolic Succession

Posted on 03/22/2024 by Paul Pavao

For those interested, I wrote this in an email in response to questions concerning Colossians 4:14, 16-17: For at least 150 years, perhaps longer, it was perfectly okay that the Sunday morning meetings grew large enough to need big meeting … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, Early Christianity, Gospel, History, History (Stories), Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Galatians Promotes and Requires Works, Which Can Only Be Done by the Spirit, Not by Flesh/Law

Posted on 10/16/2021 by Paul Pavao

This stuff isn’t deep or hard to find. It is sitting right on the surface. Walk in the Spirit, and you will be “perfected,” which, as he goes on to say, means producing the fruit of the Spiriit and continuing in good works. You will need those good works to reap eternal life (Gal. 5:19-21; 6:8-9), but you will never get them by the law. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Evangelicals, Gospel, History, Modern Doctrines, Protestants, Rebuilding the Foundations | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Divorce and Remarriage: Taking a Stance Against the Anabaptists

Posted on 06/18/2021 by Paul Pavao

DISCLAIMER: A commenter accurately pointed out that this is too broad a sweep. It may be too harsh, too, but not for the people I am speaking of. My experience with the anti-remarriage crowd may only be the most outspoken … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Early Christianity, Gospel, Modern Doctrines, Unity | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Why Is Jesus Knocking at the Door?

Posted on 05/27/2021 by Paul Pavao

I have been seeing this meme around Facebook: Christians have three false ideas that cause unbelievers to slander Jesus like this: Works have nothing to do with salvation. It is not about good and evil, but accepting Jesus. It is … Continue reading →

Posted in Evangelicals, Gospel, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The “Broader Framework” of Salvation at the Heart of the Apostle Paul’s Teaching

Posted on 02/13/2021 by Paul Pavao

Today I wrote on Facebook that I would pay my entire retirement account if by doing so I could magically impart an understanding of the preface of Matthew J. Thomas’ new edition of Paul’s “Works of the Law” in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Early Christianity, Evangelicals, Gospel, Holiness, Modern Doctrines, Rebuilding the Foundations | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Are We “Sinners Saved by Grace” or “Formerly Sinners, But Now Saved by Grace”?

Posted on 02/09/2021 by Paul Pavao

“Sinner” or “sinners” is used 67 times in the Bible and, in almost every case, sinners are contrasted with the righteous. An excellent example is Psalm 1:5: “Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Evangelicals, Gospel, Holiness, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments