Early Church and Epistles

「Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,」

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

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?

「We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, even as it is meet, for that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another aboundeth;」

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

How does justification by faith differ from works?

Paul's teaching on justification by faith in Romans

「and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.」

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.

How do grace and works balance in Ephesians 2:8-9?

This passage emphasizes salvation by grace, but what role do works play in the Christian life?

「For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:」

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

How do Sacred Tradition and Scripture work together in the life of the Church?

One faith, two channels—an ancient conversation.

「And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?」

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

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

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

「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.

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

Tension and complementarity between meditation and community.

「suffering wrong as the hire of wrong-doing; men that count it pleasure to revel in the day-time, spots and blemishes, revelling in their deceivings while they feast with you;」

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

Why did Peter quote the prophet Joel in his Pentecost sermon?

Peter stood up to explain the signs of the last days, citing Joel to show the Spirit's outpouring in the end times.

「The streets of Jerusalem will be paved with beryl and ruby and stones of Ophir;」

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

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.

「Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:」

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

In 'All Scripture is God-breathed,' what does 'theopneustos' precisely mean?

Verbal or conceptual inspiration? What is the human author's role?

「and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.」

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 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 you did not hesitate to rise and leave your dinner in order to go and lay out the dead, your good deed was not hidden from me, but I was with you.」

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

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.

「and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!」

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

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 abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.」

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

Does 'justification by faith' mean works are completely irrelevant?

Romans 3:28 is a core Protestant doctrine, often misinterpreted as excluding all works.

「For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God.」

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

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

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

「who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation;」

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

What continuity exists between Pentecost and believers' experience today?

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

「And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit;」

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

What is the dialectic between grace and works?

The rich meaning of salvation by grace in Ephesians

「This thou knowest, that all that are in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.」

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

How does Paul in Romans argue the relationship between justification by faith and the old law?

Are faith and law opposed or complementary?

「Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our passover also hath been sacrificed, even Christ:」

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

How does the birth of the Church at Pentecost connect to our identity as God's people?

Acts 2 portrays the Spirit founding the Church — how does Catholic tradition view this day as the dawn of the age of grace?

「The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.」

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

How does "Sola Scriptura" function in practice for Christians today?

When tradition and individual interpretation collide, how is biblical authority defined?

「For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you captive, if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face.」

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

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

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

「to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit;」

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

How does Paul's 'justification by faith' in Ephesians harmonize with James on works?

Paul and James seem contradictory — are they really?

「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.

1 Corinthians 13 says love never ends — how does this fit with eternal punishment?

Is God's love universal? Does eternal punishment conflict with love's nature?

「And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,」

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

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 thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.」

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

How does Paul in Romans argue the relationship between justification by faith and the old law?

Are faith and law opposed or complementary?