Early Church and Epistles

「For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;」

The living and everlasting God, the object of Tobit's praise, emphasizing God's eternity and sovereignty.

How is Romans 8:28 'all things work together for good' real in suffering?

God's 'working together' in brokenness often demands a long view.

「Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.」

Spiritual gifts given by the ascended Christ to the church for building up the body.

How should the Reformed doctrine of biblical inerrancy be responsibly interpreted amid historical and literary diversity?

Inerrancy does not erase genre, history, or progressive revelation.

「Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering.」

The divine promise given to Abraham and the patriarchs, forming the basis of the life of faith and pointing to the future heavenly city and eternal inheritance.

What is the dialectic between grace and works?

The rich meaning of salvation by grace in Ephesians

「For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God.」

Believers are raised with Christ and seated with Him, seeking heavenly things since their life is hidden with Christ in God.

Does Ephesians 2:8-9’s “grace through faith” exclude any role for works in salvation?

How can grace be both freely given and require response?

「And he said, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth.」

God's act of raising Christ to the highest position, giving him the name above all names.

How does Scripture function as an authority in your life?

'All Scripture is God-breathed'—in a questioning age, what does this mean for believers?

「But he giveth more grace. Wherefore the scripture saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.」

A spiritual discipline paired with prayer and almsgiving, signifying humility and dependence on God.

What continuity exists between Pentecost and believers' experience today?

Is the Spirit's work in apostolic times continuous with today?

「the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment;」

Liberation from sin and forgiveness through Christ's blood sacrifice.

What does biblical inerrancy mean, and how do we account for diverse literary styles?

Faithful to the text and its genres—the interpretive balance.

「Many nations will come from afar to the name of the Lord God, bearing gifts in their hands, gifts for the King of heaven. Generations of generations will give you joyful praise.」

Speech marked by grace and seasoned with wisdom, symbolizing purity, preservation, and edifying power of Christian words.

In Ephesians 2:8-9, if salvation is 'by grace,' why emphasize it is 'not from yourselves'?

The relationship between divine grace and human responsibility

「and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already.」

Moral uprightness according to God's will, linked with almsgiving and prayer, leading to fullness of life.

Does Ephesians 2:8-9 on justification by faith exclude the role of works?

Faith is the start, not the finish—genuine faith inevitably bears fruit.

「Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:」

Human beings are made after the likeness of God. To curse fellow image-bearers while blessing God reveals an inconsistency that ought not to be.

How do you understand 'faith without works is dead'?

James says 'faith without works is dead'—does this contradict Paul, or complete his teaching?

「So he called the angel and said to him, “Take half of all that you two have brought back.”」

The tenth Abraham gave to Melchizedek, demonstrating Melchizedek's superiority over the Levitical priesthood.

Why did the Holy Spirit descend on the fiftieth day, exactly ten days after Jesus' ascension?

Jesus told the disciples to wait, and on the day of Pentecost the Spirit came as tongues of fire and they began speaking in other languages.

「So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.」

Christ, made perfect through suffering, becomes the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, bestowing everlasting redemption.

Does Ephesians 2:8-9 on justification by faith exclude the role of works?

Faith is the start, not the finish—genuine faith inevitably bears fruit.

「But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come.」

Healthy, correct teaching according to Scripture, essential for church leadership and refuting falsehood, emphasized in Titus.

Is "justification by faith" contradicted by James's "justification by works"?

How do we reconcile the Reformers' core doctrine with the Epistle of James?

「But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him;」

God's sovereign choice before creation to adopt believers as sons in Christ.

What is the dialectic between grace and works?

The rich meaning of salvation by grace in Ephesians

「Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,」

Title for Jesus Christ and God the Father, indicating the source and agent of salvation, used frequently in Titus.

How do you understand 'faith without works is dead'?

James says 'faith without works is dead'—does this contradict Paul, or complete his teaching?

「knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election,」

The altar of Christian worship, symbolizing Christ's sacrifice surpassing the rituals of the Old Testament tabernacle.

What does biblical inerrancy mean, and how do we account for diverse literary styles?

Faithful to the text and its genres—the interpretive balance.

「Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God;」

God's unmerited favor that establishes the heart, not through external dietary rituals.

Does James 2:24 contradict justification by faith?

Catholicism emphasizes the cooperation of faith and works, and this passage is a key support.

「For I verily, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing,」

The great cloud of faith heroes whose testimony surrounds believers, inspiring perseverance in the race of faith set before us.

Where does the Bible's authority come from?

2 Timothy on Scripture as God-breathed

「For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, If any will not work, neither let him eat.」

God's unveiling of hidden truth, especially the gospel mystery to apostles and prophets.

Is "justification by faith" contradicted by James's "justification by works"?

How do we reconcile the Reformers' core doctrine with the Epistle of James?

「For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.」

Paul's imprisonment for the sake of proclaiming the mystery of Christ, showing suffering and sacrifice often accompany gospel ministry.

Is salvation by grace alone, or also through our works?

'By grace you have been saved'—how does this verse address the long debate over works and faith?

「But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal.」

Christ is the exact imprint of God's substance, precisely expressing the essence and attributes of God.

Which better discerns God's will—personal Bible reading or communal study?

Tension and complementarity between meditation and community.

「I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:」

In Johannine epistles, the divine reality that believers are to love, follow, and testify to, central to Christian life.

Do 2 Timothy 3:16-17 support 'Sola Scriptura'?

Key verses for sufficiency of Scripture, but what role do tradition and reason play in Reformation debates?

「After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up:」

The new covenant established by God with His people, characterized by internalized law and forgiveness, superseding the old.

Does the Eucharist repeat the sacrifice of Christ?

Examining the institution of the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and the nature of the sacrifice in Catholic Eucharist.

「But now complete the doing also; that as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the completion also out of your ability.」

The act of lovingkindness to strangers, which may unknowingly serve angels and reflect God's grace.

In 1 Corinthians 13, every description of love is in the present tense in Greek — what kind of love is this?

Greek love-verbs stay in the present — what does this imply for daily practice?