Author Archives: Philly Bible Study

Christian Unity – How To Solve The Churches Biggest Problems

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This image shows a group of diverse people with interlocked hand in demonstration of Christian unity.

Christian Unity Is Possible

Jesus Wants Christian Unity

Jesus prayed for the oneness of belief and practice among all believers. Even on the night before his crucifixion, he was thinking about unity among everyone who would later believe in Him. Here is part of that prayer:

“I do not ask on behalf of these alone (the 12 apostles), but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.” (John 17:20-23)

This prayer shows Jesus’ strong desire for Christian unity. He wants all Christians to share in the same unity that he shares with God.

Christian Unity And Diversity

Christ’s church is not meant to be divided by factors such as language, culture, and skin color. According to the Bible, there is no “white church,” “black church,” “Spanish church”, or “Chinese church.” Local churches ought to reflect the diversity of their communities: a diverse family united by God and his will for us. Differences in language, culture, etc. offer real and natural challenges, but unity among believers is one of the ways others will know that God is among us. The apostle Paul told the church in Ephesus to “preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:3-6)

Christian Unity Means No Denominations

The apostle Paul commanded the church in Corinth to get rid of the divisions that existed among them:

“Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you speak the same thing, that there be no divisions among you but that you be perfected together in the same mind and the same Judgment“ (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Unity and oneness in religion are not only right, but Jesus commands it. Religious division among Christians is sinful because it violates the will of Jesus Christ. In fact, Church denominations are a constant reminder of our rebellion and lack of concern for Christian unity.

A Call For Christian Unity

This kind of spiritual agreement is possible only by reading the Bible and following His revealed truth. Join a local Philly Bible study group and meet others who desire the same thing.  Or perhaps you’re ready to be part of a local Philadelphia church striving for true Christian unity.

Jesus the Savior

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Before Jesus was born, an angel from God spoke to Joseph concerning his future wife Mary:

“She will bear a son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21)

This was not a common birth. The young virgin became pregnant miraculously through the Holy Spirit of God, fulfilling a 700-year-old prophecy (Isaiah 7:14). The news of this birth announced the expected arrival of the Messiah or Christ, God’s chosen ruler.

The angel also revealed His name would be Jesus. “Jesus” literally means “Jehovah is salvation,” an indicator of His mission in world: “it is He who will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).  Even from his birth, salvation through his death was promised for man. After the cross was accomplished, the apostles preached the same message, “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as Prince and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31).

What do you think about Jesus? Was he a good man? Was he a great teacher and religious leader? Was he a humanitarian that sympathized with people in distress? He was all these things, but still much more. Our concept of Jesus must center on the primary reason he came to earth: to save people from their sins! He said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Since all of us “have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), we all need to seek forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  He is our only hope of being saved from our sins.  The apostle Peter said, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  If you realize you are a sinner in need of salvation, we would like to help you learn more about Jesus the Savior.  Please call us today or enroll in the free Bible course below.

FREE BIBLE COURSE

Call 267-453-8787 or write to Philly Bible Study, PO Box 24038, Philadelphia, PA 19139. The course is also available online at www.PhillyBibleStudy.org/jesus-the-way.

Rejecting God’s Will

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“Not everyoNot everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord'ne who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) It is human tendency to disregard God’s will. The Lord gave us the ability to think for ourselves, to make our own choices, and to set our own goals in life. Sadly, we often use these blessings to reject God rather than to chose him.

The Scriptures portray humanity as a wicked and ungrateful people rejecting God’s will. The apostle Paul wrote, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:21-22) Isn’t this an appropriate description our own society, as people turn to the gods of pleasure, sexual immorality, greed, deceit, and crime? For most people, God’s desires rarely takes priority over their own desires.

What underlies this rejection of God and His will? It’s a philosophy focused on this material world. Sometimes called humanism, this philosophy attempts to justify man’s rebellion against God. It teaches us and our children a distorted values that exclude God and His revealed Word. Religious denominations are also filled with attitudes, teachings, and practices far removed from the will of God revealed in the Scriptures. The sad truth is everyone has been been guilty of rejecting God’s will. In view of this, you and I must go back to the source to understand how God really wants us to live. If you are interested in learning about God’s will, we are offering a free Bible course to help you get started.

 

The Will of God

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Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord'Jesus once said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) The truth of this statement is very clear. It defines a relationship we may have with the great God of heaven and informs us on what basis we may hope to enter heaven with Him. Jesus simply says we must do God’s will to enter the kingdom of heaven.

There is only one God, and there is no other. Long ago Paul the apostle introduced the people of Athens to the true God in this way: “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.” (Acts 17:24).

Where are we in relation to the Creator and sustainer of all life? We are His created beings, made in His spiritual and moral image. We are dependent upon Him and accountable to Him. The creation cannot make demands upon the Creator; we can only approach Him on the terms and conditions He desires.

Are we mindful of God’s will? In the next verse Jesus foresees the following situation: “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?” (Matthew 7:22) This sounds like many modern-day claims, doesn’t it? Jesus continues, “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:23)

You and I must become serious about learning and doing God’s will as revealed in His Word. If you’re ready, we are offering a free Bible course to help you get started.

FREE BIBLE COURSE

Call 267-453-8787 or write to Philly Bible Study, PO Box 24038, Philadelphia, PA 19139. The course is also available online at www.PhillyBibleStudy.org/jesus-the-way.

Spiritual Conversion

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Spiritual ConversionHave you ever been convicted to make a drastic life change? Perhaps poor eating habits were ruining your health so you completely changed your diet. Maybe you stopped smoking or drinking alcohol to improve your health. This process is a “conversion,”  a sincere change of thinking and living. But while a conversion to save our physical life is good, a conversion to save our spiritual life is the most important decision we could ever make.

Jesus talked to many people who needed spiritual conversion. When he spoke to the proud and stubborn Pharisees he said, “For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn (be converted), and I would heal them” (Matthew 13:15).

These people had closed their eyes, ears, and hearts to seeing, hearing, and understanding the truth Jesus was teaching. They held on to religious traditions and refused to change or be converted. The Pharisees loved their religion and didn’t want to be bothered. They were comfortable. In fact, God’s truth made them so uncomfortable that they shut their eyes, ears, and hearts to it. The result? They lost their souls.

Are you too comfortable in your spiritual life? Don’t be so committed to religious traditions that you are unable to accept what God is teaching through his word. We encourage you to begin reading the Bible daily and as you read be willing to change. We are offering a free Bible course to help you get started. If you’re ready for a spiritual conversion, start today.

FREE BIBLE COURSE

Call 267-453-8787 or write to Philly Bible Study, PO Box 24038, Philadelphia, PA 19139. The course is also available online at PhillyBibleStudy.org/jesus-the-way.

Not By Bread Alone

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A loaf of bread

Courtesy of Wikipedia.com

Have you ever been so hungry you would do anything for food? Food is one of our greatest needs. We eat every day – most of us eat several times a day. If we don’t, we get weak and eventually die. We need food, but we have a greater need.

After Jesus fasted forty days, the devil tempted him to selfishly use his miraculous power, “Turn this stone into bread” (Matthew 4:3). The Savior’s answer was profound. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). Although Jesus was extremely hungry physically, his greater need was to receive God’s words in full. He was not satisfied with only some of God’s words. Jesus would live by “every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”

We expend much time and effort to get physical food for ourselves and our families, but have we given attention to our greater need – our spiritual need? We need God’s words to live and we need all his words, not just select words or thoughts that appeal to us (as if the Bible were a spiritual restaurant menu). We too must feed on “every word.”

Are you feeding on the words of God? If not, you are spiritually starving to death. Jesus offers “the bread of life” and “the water of life” (John 6:35). The New Testament scriptures are the only true source of His life and teaching. We are offering a free Bible course to encourage feasting on God’s Word. If you’re spiritually hungry, start today.

FREE BIBLE COURSE
Call 267-453-8787 or write to Philly Bible Study, P.O. Box 24038, Philadelphia, PA 19139. The course is also available online at PhillyBibleStudy.org/jesus-the-way.