Early Church and Epistles

「As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,」

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.

「when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.」

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.

「Erastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick.」

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

「that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.」

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 one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there,」

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?

「Speak not one against another, brethren. He that speaketh against a brother, or judgeth his brother, speaketh against the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judgest the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.」

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?

「And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of.」

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.

「How blessed are those who love you! They will rejoice in your peace. Blessed are those who grieved over all your afflictions; for they will rejoice for you upon seeing all your glory, and they will be made glad for ever.」

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

「Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.」

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.

「for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.」

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?

「For I did not come as a favor on my part, but by the will of our God. Therefore praise him for ever.」

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.

「For Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness to every one that believeth.」

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.

「Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.」

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 thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered;」

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

「in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins:」

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?

「and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come.」

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.

「Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus,」

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.

「I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators;」

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

「Now them that are such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.」

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?

「Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.」

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?

「Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.」

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.

「Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.」

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?

「They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.」

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.

「and not only so, but who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness:」

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?