ephesians-1:4-5

As we have already observed, it is generally admitted that God's word demands of all men to live holy and sinless lives. But foolish men look at these high commands of God, then at their inward proneness to evil and impotency in that which is good; and also look at the world of wicked forces around ... Read More

That the Thessalonians had been soundly converted to God before the Apostle addressed his first epistle to them cannot be doubted for he calls them “brethren beloved” and declares that they “knew their election of God.” “For,” says he, “our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power an... Read More

All Christian teachers agree that Israel ’s bondage in Egypt represents the vassalage of sin. Their deliverance under Moses, (who was a figure of Christ), their passage through the Red Sea , and song of praise foreshadow the joy of pardon; and that the sojourn in the wilderness typifies the life of ... Read More

A sanctuary denotes a place set apart, or separated. In Scripture it signifies a sacred or holy house, separated and set apart for the dwelling place of God, and a place of service and sacrifice unto him. It was his original plan, before the foundation of the world, to have a pure and holy people to... Read More

The wonderful change wrought in believers by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is very noticeable, especially to the student of the Greek Testament. Strong words not found in the Old Testament, nor in the four Gospels, are either invented by the apostles or borrowed from classical Greek, to convey a... Read More

If there were fluctuations in the emotional experiences of St. Paul, so that he was more joyful at one time than at another, it is natural for us to expect to find traces of them in his Epistles. When he wrote to the Ephesians he must have been in a very exalted and ecstatic mood. He sees how broad ... Read More

God chooses people. He chose a man named David, for example, to be a king of Israel. Quite obviously, God's choice of David was not a random choice. He didn't draw straws up in heaven. Rather, God's choice of David was a calculated, intelligent choice. He saw something in David that He liked. Specif... Read More

In eternity past, God "dreamed a dream," if I might say it in human terms. He desired to have a family. He wanted children upon whom He could shower His great love. They, in turn, would reciprocate by loving Him and each other. Together, they would live in a perfect world, in a perfect society, enjo... Read More

A system of Christian interpretation initiated by John Calvin. It emphasizes predestination and salvation. The five points of Calvinism were developed in response to the Arminian position (See Arminianism). Calvinism teaches: 1) Total depravity: that man is touched by sin in all parts of his being: ... Read More

A quality of perfection, sinlessness, and inability to sin that is possessed by God alone. As Christians we are called to be holy (1 Pet. 1:16). But this does not refer to our nature. Instead, it is a command of our practice and thought. We are to be holy in obedience (1 Pet. 1:14). God has made us ... Read More