Salvation

The Apostle Paul's first missionary journey

The Apostle Paul's first missionary journey

Acts Bible Study Chapter 13: 'While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.' (Acts 13.2-3, NIV.) Acts 13 details the start of Paul's first missionary journey.

A harvest of righteousness

A harvest of righteousness

James Bible Study Chapter 3: The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Made righteous through faith evidenced by works

Made righteous through faith evidenced by works

James Bible Study Chapter 2: “Abraham believed God, and it was [j]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:23-26, NKJV)

Fulfilling the Will of God

Fulfilling the Will of God

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 10. ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will.’ And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all... Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, 'In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.' And, 'But my righteous one will live by faith.' We do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.'

Christ is the perfect sacrifice

Christ is the perfect sacrifice

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 9. Christ is the mediator by which we can access the New Testament and receive the promised eternal inheritance. Where there is a testament, a will, there must also be a death, otherwise the will cannot be enacted. My wife and I had the same will. Whoever died first, would give everything to the other. Because she died, I inherited everything. Because Christ died, we inherit all that was His.

Jesus ever lives to intercede

Jesus ever lives to intercede

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 7. 'Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. Jesus lives for ever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.' (Hebrews 7.22-25, NIV.) The Old Testament high priest entered the presence of God once a year to plead for the forgiveness of the nation's sins; whereas Christ makes perpetual intercession before God for us. Christ's continuous presence in Heaven with the Father assures us that our sins have been paid for and forgiven. This wonderful assurance frees us from guilt and fear.

Jesus our Great High Priest

Jesus our Great High Priest

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 5. Prayer is our approach to God, and we are to come 'boldly'. Some Christians approach God meekly with heads hung low, afraid to ask Him to meet their needs. Others pray flippantly, giving little thought to what they say. Come with reverence because He is our King. But also come with bold assurance because He is your Friend and Counsellor.

The faithfulness of Jesus!

The faithfulness of Jesus!

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 3. 'Fix your thoughts on Jesus!' Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, He is our everything, He is all that you need. Our faith is not based on religion or ceremony, our faith is based on Jesus as our apostle and high priest. Who else do we need but Jesus?!

A great salvation

A great salvation

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 2. We have received a great salvation through Christ, so we must be careful not to drift away. Only through faith in Christ are we saved: He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The message of Christ was first preached by those who witnessed the miracles, but like the original readers of Hebrews, we base our belief on eyewitness accounts.

The superiority of Jesus

The superiority of Jesus

Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 1. The first chapter of Hebrews describes in detail how Jesus Christ fulfils the prophecies of the Old Testament. In the past God spoke to His people by various means: Isaiah, in visions; Jacob, in dreams; whilst to Abraham and Moses, God spoke personally. But now God speaks through Jesus. Jesus is the fulfilment and culmination of God’s revelation. When we know Jesus, we have all we need to be saved and have a perfect relationship with God.