Matthew: The Tax Collector Turned Disciple
November 18, 2024Matthew, also known as Levi, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and is traditionally credited as the author of the Gospel of Matthew. His remarkable transformation from a tax collector—a profession despised in Jewish society—to a devoted disciple of Christ exemplifies the transformative power of grace and redemption. Matthew worked as a tax…
Paul (Saul of Tarsus)
November 15, 2024This post continues my reflections on influential figures in the Bible—aside from Jesus—who have shaped my Christian journey. After writing about John and Stephen, who bear my namesake, I turn now to the Apostle Paul. Paul, also known as Saul of Tarsus, was one of the most impactful figures in early Christianity. Born a Jew…
Stephen in the Bible: The First Christian Martyr
November 14, 2024Stephen, one of the seven deacons appointed by the early church, is a prominent New Testament figure, known as the first Christian martyr. Though specific details about his origins are limited, Stephen’s Greek name and service to the Hellenistic Jewish community suggest he was a Greek-speaking Jew, bridging both Jewish and Greek cultures. His life…
John’s Unique Distinction Among the Twelve Apostles
November 12, 2024In Mark 3:13–19, we read about the appointment of the twelve apostles: “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out…
Light Triumphs over Darkness
November 8, 2024We all confront conflicts—some that can be resolved logically and others that are deeply emotional. In society, our opinions are shaped by personal emotions, biases, and perspectives, making each viewpoint unique. These emotionally charged differences can sometimes lead to extreme actions. Therefore, it is crucial to have a guiding code of conduct to reinforce our…
Is God Cruel?
October 28, 2024Thomas Paine (1737–1809) was a significant English-born political philosopher, writer, and activist whose works, such as Common Sense and The Age of Reason, helped shape revolutionary ideas in both America and France. In The Age of Reason, he wrote, “Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man,” suggesting that a person’s view of God…
The Greatest Commandment: Understanding the Decalogues and the New Covenant
October 10, 2024I recently revisited my post from the 2024 Easter Sunrise Service, where I mentioned two different sets of Ten Commandments (decalogues). At the time, I noted “a completely different (and less familiar) set of commandments that I cannot explain, and this is not about exegesis.” The context was that the Ten Commandments we are most…
Living Christian Ethics
September 29, 2024Paul writes to the church at Ephesus about living a Christian life – Ephesians 4:17-32 In this passage, Paul highlights the radical transformation that comes with life in Christ. Paul calls believers to reject the old way of living—a life marked by sin, futility, and separation from God—and instead embrace their new identity, which reflects…
Overcoming the World Through Faith in Jesus
September 27, 2024“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”— 1 John 5:5 In 1 John 5:5, the “world” represents systems, values, and desires that oppose God’s will. These include temptations, trials, and influences designed to pull us away from living in harmony with His purpose.…
Trusting God Through Spiritual Opposition
September 23, 2024Have you ever felt like just when you step out in faith, things seem to push back against you? You’re not alone. The Bible is full of stories where men and women faced resistance right after following God’s lead. It’s in those moments of challenge that we are reminded: when we are on the right…