What is the Fullness of Time?

In Galatians 4:4, the Apostle Paul wrote, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son” . . . When God’s time table struck the appointed hour, God sent His Son into the world. Paul called that appointed hour the “fullness of time.” What did Paul mean by that? “The Fullness of Time”?

Well, there were a number of things happening in the then known world at that particular time upon which “The Fullness of Time” hinged. Let’s examine some of them . . .

I. According to the Historical Order, it was the Fullness of Time:

  1. History records this was a time of ‘Great Expectancy’. One evidence is that of the Wise Men:At this very time in history they were studying the stars, looking for a sign. And God gave them one— Matthew 2:1b-2 “Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’”
  2. Roman Peace: Throughout the then known world there was a sense of unity to the various lands. Because of that the empire was relatively peaceful, travel was possible, allowing the early Christians to spread the gospel. Such freedom to travel would have been impossible in other eras.
  3.  A common language: koine’ Greek was the dominant language spoken throughout the empire, making it possible to communicate the gospel to many different people groups through one common language.
  4. Roman roads: Cobblestone roads had been built throughout the Roman Empire on which the Roman armies were transported. Such roads made it possible to carry the gospel; the same roads Paul used to carry and spread the Gospel and plant churches in the Mediterranean and Asian World.

Continue reading “What is the Fullness of Time?”

What do you Think of When you Hear the Word Church?

                                                                                Jack Terry, Artist

What do you think of when you hear the word, ‘Church’? I grew up thinking of the church as a building. Maybe that’s true for you too; you think of a place, a building, a structure of some kind. In today’s culture some may picture a storefront, a tent, or even someone’s home.

But the Biblical understanding of a ‘church’ is more than just that of a building or a place of worship. It is the “Body of Christ”— “And He (Christ) gave some as apostles and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and Continue reading “What do you Think of When you Hear the Word Church?”

Is there a Difference Between Praise & Worship?

Is there a difference between worship and praise?  Yes! Understanding the difference between  worship and praise can bring a new depth to the way we honor and worship the Lord.

All through the Bible, we see commands to “praise the Lord” . . .

Praise has to with the joyful recollection of all God has done for us. Closely intertwined with thanksgiving, when we praise God, we offer back to Him Continue reading “Is there a Difference Between Praise & Worship?”

Three Steps to Reading the Bible for Proper Understanding

No preacher or teacher can adequately preach or teach God’s Word without having adequately read God’s Word. Paul advised his young son in the ministry to “accurately handle the Word of Truth” for “all Scripture,”writes the Apostle, “is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 2:14; 3:16-17

Three Steps to Reading the Bible . . .

1 Read the Bible in in its proper context: You can prove almost anything you want to Biblically, if you take Scripture out of context. Read what the Bible is saying before and after the text. Read other Scriptures that relate to the text and topic that you are preaching or teaching. Be careful that you are saying the same thing God is and that you are not contradicting His Word.  What you preach and teach must agree with the whole Bible.

2 Read the Bible bi-focally:That is, read it first as it is reflects the day and age in which it was written. What was the writer saying to the recipients of his day, i.e., what was Paul saying to the church in Corinth when he wrote about eating meat sacrificed to idols (I Corinthians 8)? Secondly, what does it say to us today?

3 Read the text prayerfully: Allow God to speak to you. The Holy Spirit led the mind and heart of those who wrote it (II Timothy 3:16) so, allow God to lead you in the understanding of it.

If other thoughts or recommendations for a proper reading and an adequate understanding of God’s Word come to your mind, please share them. I welcome your comments!

What is so Amazing about God’s Amazing Grace?

“Amazing Grace that saved a wretch like me”

God’s Amazing grace is something that Paul never got over. Eighty-five times he wrote about grace. You never have to go far in any of his letters without running into the word, “grace”. Three times he recorded the time, when on his way to Damascus to imprison Christians he came face-to-face with the Amazing Grace of God; grace,  that saved even a wretch like him. Continue reading “What is so Amazing about God’s Amazing Grace?”