The Gift of the Spirit demonstrates beyond question who belongs to the Holy Covenant Community of Jesus, and who does not.
In the assemblies of Galatia, “false brethren” were preaching “another gospel,” pressuring Gentile believers to adopt circumcision and conform to other regulations of the Mosaic Law. Paul repudiated the very idea and sent the Galatians a series of arguments demonstrating why Gentiles need not be circumcised.
Continue readingThe promises, types, and shadows of the Hebrew Bible are fulfilled by the Son of God and Messiah of Israel, Jesus of Nazareth.
An accusation commonly heard in popular preaching is ‘Replacement Theology.’ This seemingly dreaded label is hurled against anyone who claims a promise from the Hebrew Bible made to Ancient Israel finds its fulfillment in Jesus and his Church, but this silly exercise in name-calling misses the point – The New Testament focuses on Fulfillment, not Separation or Replacement.
The New Testament teaches neither ‘Replacement Theology’ nor the idea that God has two distinct covenants and peoples, each with a separate eternal destiny and means of achieving it.
Continue readingWith the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, the blessings for all nations of the Abrahamic Covenant commenced.
The “Promise of the Father” is the Gift of the Spirit, which the Apostle Paul links to the Abrahamic Covenant. The promises made to the Patriarch are fulfilled in the New Covenant inaugurated by Jesus Christ. The bestowal of the Spirit on his Assembly on the Day of Pentecost marked the commencement of the “Last Days,” the Age of the Spirit when the promises of God are achieved. Because of his Death and Resurrection, Gentile believers become full heirs of the Covenant along with believing Jews.
Continue readingThe New Covenant includes the Gift of the Spirit, the first fruits of the New Creation, and the gathering of the nations.
The National sins of Israel caused her expulsion from the Land of Canaan. God foresaw her failures and determined to institute a new covenant energized and characterized by His Spirit. It would include the salvation of men from every nation and culminate in the resurrection of the dead and the “New Heavens and the New Earth.” With the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, the New Covenant began in earnest.
Continue readingThe Slain Lamb is the Messiah in Revelation who overcomes and reigns over the Nations and the Kings of the Earth.
In popular preaching, Jesus has become the “Roaring Lion of Judah” who will soon unleash his predatory cry as he slays his enemies. Unlike the man from Nazareth, this warrior-king will destroy everyone who resists him as he imposes his kingdom on the willing and the unwilling. No longer is he the savior who submitted to an unjust death to save the world. Does not the Book of Revelation tell us that he is the Messianic Lion?
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