Weekly Bible Studies
Gal 1:11-2:10: Paul – Taught By God
Last week we talked about how there is only one gospel, and to add or to take away from it is to invite God’s curse. This gospel is about how we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone without any good works. Relationship between faith and good works So a question came up about Read More …
Gal 1:3-10 – Only One Gospel
Paul Wishes His Readers “Grace and Peace” (Gal 1:3) We just completed an introduction to the book of Galatians by looking at Gal 1:1-2. Here Paul greets the Galatian church, and reminds his readers that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ who was directly appointed by Jesus. He goes on to greet the Galatians: Read More …
Galatians 1:1-2 – Introduction to Paul’s Letter to the Galatians
Here is a recording of the session. Notes of the content are below. We are beginning a new study of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, and today we will focus on what we can look forward to learning from this study. Here is the first sentence in Cole’s commentary of Galatians. “The epistle to the Read More …
James 1:9-12 – Riches and Poverty
The “Lowly Brother” and the “Rich Brother” (James 1:9-11) We need to remember that James’ readers are Jewish Christians who have been scattered due to persecution. Most of them were poor. For example, in Acts 11:28-29, we read about a severe famine that extended throughout the Roman world, so much so that some needed help Read More …
James 1:2-8 – Count it All Joy!
James 1:2: What does James mean by “trials of various kinds”? Temptations and snares (1 Timothy 6:9, Hebrews 12:4) Difficult circumstances (death, divorce, loss of job, sickness, etc) James 5:14; Social and economic persecution (James 2:6) God’s discipline (Hebrews 12:5-11). Can also be consequences of sin (addiction, jail, etc) Due to choices we make in Read More …
James 1:1 – Introduction
Introduction to the Epistle of James Who is the Author of James? The half-brother of Jesus, likely from Mary and Joseph after the birth of Jesus. We know that the author is not James the apostle because he died a martyr’s death in AD 44 (Acts 12:2) James the brother of Jesus died in AD Read More …