One of the more crucial passages at the core of the debate over which family of manuscripts should be the basis for any Bible translation in any language is 1 John 5:7, also called the Johannine Comma. While it’s true that the passage is absent from the two older, Alexandrian manuscripts (dating to the 4th…
Thoughts on Conversion, by Mike Ivey
By Mike Ivey In most instances, a Bible student’s understanding of conversion falls into one of two categories. Some believe conversion relates exclusively to the new birth; that in all cases conversion is an immediate and exclusive effect of regeneration. Others believe it has a number of facets or principles including conversion in the new…
Disciples after God’s Own Heart
“And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.” – Acts 13:22 In the midst of Paul’s sermon here in Acts…
What Is Your Identity?
“Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?” – John 21:20 The Apostle John introduces himself in a curious way quite a few times in his gospel, as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. This might sound,…
Stability in Thy Times
“And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.” (Isaiah 33:6) This world has been in a perpetual state of chaos and turmoil since the sin of Adam cursed this world and all its inhabitants. How then can we have any real…
God’s Covenant of Love
“Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord God, and thou becamest mine.” (Ezekiel 16:8) When God saw his chosen…
A Deacon’s Charge
Recently at Flint River, we were blessed to ordain a couple of deacons. Our service was a bit more abbreviated than the traditional, all day ordination. We met at 10, had a half hour each of singing and preaching respectively, and then went directly into the ordination. Due to the nature of the day, my…
Some Thoughts on Melchizedek
A friend recently asked me a few questions while studying through the Book of Hebrews. I thought the questions and my answers would make an interesting, short blog entry. You’ll find them below: As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he…
Walking by Faith Like Abraham
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” – Hebrews 11:8 Abraham is called to a great act of faith in the Lord. He is commanded to leave and begin a journey to…