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Wavering (διστάζω)

The concept of doubt is expressed in a couple of different ways in Scripture, and they are important to distinguish between each other. There is doubt that describes someone who is wavering (διστάζω); having two sides, and doubt that is a result of justifying a way around (διακρίνω).

Wavering is when a person is unsure, or lacking confidence. It was this type of doubting that happened to Peter after he stepped out of the boat onto the sea with Christ in Matthew 14:31 that caused him to start sinking. After the resurrection of Christ, the 11 disciples were wavering, even after seeing Him, Matthew 28:17. Wavering is not a sin but does express only having a little faith. Being of little faith is often seen in relation to how God cares for us, Matthew 6:30.

The term for doubt that could cause a Christian to sin because they are doing something while doubting is a word that means to thoroughly judge or discern (διακρίνω). “Discerning” is the positive aspect of this word where “doubt” is the negative meaning. When Abraham believed God, he did not doubt in unbelief what God was saying; rather, he took Him at His Word, Romans 4:18. He did not attempt to justify his way around what God said. If a Christian does something while doubting, they can sin, Romans 14:23. However, this is not the same as wavering or being unsure. Thoroughly judging (doubting) is being used to justify one’s actions rather than taking God at His word. In the case of food, it would be coming up with a reason to be permitted to eat something that otherwise would defile your conscience before God, such as on a special occasion, or […]

Wavering (διστάζω)2023-11-25T07:37:40-08:00

The Human Nature and How it Relates to Adam and the Christ

In discussing the human nature, there are major theological differences, especially in the realm of the spirit and soul. These disagreements are not discussed in this paper but will certainly influence the reader’s perception of what is stated. The author highly encourages the reader challenges their own thinking on this matter by solely relying on Scripture rather than theology to strengthen their understanding of and confidence in the truth regarding the human nature. This paper in no way implies, supports, suggest, or reveals that there is any change in the clear separation of the pre-Testament, Israel, Church, or Millennial Kingdom saints. These groups of believers have different promises with different content to their salvation and will always be distinct.

Where does the human soul and spirit come from? We know that the body comes from the parents, but what about the other parts of the human nature? To understand this, we are going to examine what Scripture reveals about where the body, soul, and spirit originate from and how this unique creation of God propagates, along with the fact that even though we share in our nature, we are individuals and personally liable to God.

In the creation of humans, we have two stories in Scripture that give us details on our beginning. These stories are not in contrast to one another; rather, the second one gives us more details on what God did in creating humans. In Genesis 1, we are given an overview of the renovation of the earth and the creation of Adam. God created humans; male and female1, yet He did not create both male and female. As we examine chapter two of Genesis, we find that Adam is […]

The Human Nature and How it Relates to Adam and the Christ2023-11-25T15:06:39-08:00

1 Timothy

1 Timothy – Download in PDF

1.1 Paul, an apostle belonging to Jesus Christ according to a command from God our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, 1.2 to Timothy, a legitimate child in faith. Grace, mercy, peace are from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.1.3 Just as I encouraged you to remain in Ephesus, having left unto Macedonia, in order that you should command some not to teach differently1, 1.4 nor pay attention to myths or endless genealogies, which offer debate2 rather than a dispensation from God, the [dispensation] by faith. 1.5 Now, the goal of the announcement is love out from a clean heart and good conscience and un-hypocritical faith, 1.6 from which some, having gone astray, turn unto empty words 1.7 desiring3 to be law teachers, not understanding that which they speak nor concerning what they affirm. 1.8 Indeed we intuitively know that the law is good4 if, perhaps, someone uses it lawfully. 1.9 Intuitively knowing this, that the law is not laid for a righteous [man], but for unlawful and rebellious, ungodly and sinners, impious and profane, scolders of fathers and scolders of mothers, murderers of men, 1.10 fornicators, homosexuals5, kidnappers, liars, perjurers and if, assuming it is true, there […]

1 Timothy2016-10-12T06:02:38-07:00

The Mystery of The Christ

The mystery of The Christ is one of the most important revelations given to the Church, mainly because it involves not only how to be saved, but also how we are to live out our salvation.

In Ephesians 3:3 and 4, Paul writes about this mystery that was given to him by a revelation from God. As the steward of the dispensation of grace, God gave Paul instructions concerning how the household of grace is to live, Ephesians 3:2. These instructions are given in the revelation of this mystery. Paul writes concerning the mystery of the Christ so that we can understand what his insight is.

Since Paul is the steward of the dispensation of grace, the mystery of The Christ is a part of this period in time. It is something that was not revealed to any other generation. In Scripture, seven dispensations are revealed (Innocence, Conscience, Government, Promise, Law, Grace, Fullness of Times). In each of these dispensations, mankind is given instruction by God through a steward. The Church exists in the dispensation of grace and is therefore subject to the standards God gave concerning the Mystery of The Christ

Since we now have insight into what is the Mystery of The Christ it is no longer a mystery to those to whom it has been revealed. A mystery in Scripture is something that was hidden, but now God has made it known, Ephesians 3:5 (which was not made known in other generations to the sons of men, just as now it has been revealed through His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit).

The Mystery of the Christ has to do with the fact that anyone who believes the gospel for salvation is taken […]

The Mystery of The Christ2023-12-14T11:23:23-08:00

Psalm 1

In the opening chapter of the Psalms, a contrast is drawn between the way of the man who delights in the Law from Jehovah and the way of the wicked. Can this contrast be applied to Christians today, and if so, how, without allegorizing the passage.

Allegory of the Scripture is used to imply a different meaning than the literal meaning of the text. Unlike a literal translation, allegorization is an extremely dangerous method of interpretation, as it has no way to verify the meaning apart from taking the author at his or her word. It is often said to be a higher, spiritual, interpretation; however, when the Spirit from God bore along men to write the Scriptures, He did not have them use methods that where contrary to the normal use of the language.

To understand the Psalms we need to look at the meaning of the text, the words used, who it was written to, and the context of the whole passage. Can the Psalms be used for Christians?

Let us take a look and see…

Happy is the man that does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of the sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scoffer, but his delight is in the Law from Jehovah, and in His Law he utters day and night. And he will be like a tree planted upon the canals of waters, which produces fruit in its time and its leaves do not wither. And all that he does will prosper.

Although many English translations use the word “blessed” to open the Psalms, the original language uses a word that means “happiness”. If we do not understand the meaning behind the word “blessed”, […]

Psalm 12016-10-12T06:02:48-07:00
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