Apostle's Mailbox

When we're told to be filled with the Holy Spirit, what does that even mean? Are we like a bowl that can hold things physically inside it? Is the Spirit like a ball, or a measure of water or air? A better analogy can apply.

Although the Bible is a truly priceless collection of God's self-revelation to humanity, the Words of his mouth are so much more than just ink on paper.

Not many people want to be known as greedy, but as far as undesirable character traits go in our society, this one gets pretty lenient treatment. After all, who can blame ya if you just want nice things? The apostle Paul wasn't so understanding about greed--he called it idolatry. And idolatry's got to go.

If you've ever wanted someone to suffer because of what was done to you... ...so did God.

In Baptistic circles, "getting Saved" is a pretty big deal. An eternally big deal, in fact. But is fire insurance salvation true to the Scriptures?

In Chess, the most important piece on the board is not the most powerful piece. In Christianity, the most important part is not necessarily exactly what we might expect. There is a King, and Kings require obedience! https://apostlesmailbox.com

When your life is cruising along nicely according to worldly standards, the hardest thing to ask God to do is give you a different one. But that's exactly what we need... https://apostlesmailbox.com

If we build, bake, or break in the wrong order, we know that bad things are going to happen. When it comes to our relationship with God, sometimes we forget that order is important.

Modern society runs on advertising: from politicians to salespeople to social media, the simple truth just doesn't seem like enough. Christians also justify the distortion of truth in pursuit of "noble ends." The "end" we ought to be pursuing is the end of using deceptive methods for the purposes of "spreading the truth" of the Kingdom.

John 6 is packed with very flexible language that can be read in a variety of ways. Today we discuss reasons why it's vital to be gracious and patient with other Christians when trying to interpret the meaning of any Scriptural text. Links---------Soteriology 101:* https://soteriology101.com/home/* https://soteriology101.comhttps://apostlesmailbox.com/

What are you working for? Food that perishes, or food that lasts forever? And who's going to give you such food? The Son of Man.

So you say you're a part of a church? Perhaps you've been forgetting about some of her members.

John 6 contains a lot of material that is used in arguing for or against advanced doctrinal topics. While it's not wrong to try to understand what Jesus was talking about in today's passage, it's more important not to miss one very key point he makes. https://apostlesmailbox.com/

If you're trying to rule a kingdom in the 1400's, good strong walls are a great asset. If you're trying to maximize profits, keeping competition at bay is very helpful. If you're part of a religious organization, chances are someone has (or will) try to build some walls to "protect" it. Is this good, or bad? Links: https://apostlesmailbox.com/ Photo of walled garden by user chris_j_wood at Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Unmodified.https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Heligan_Walled_Garden.JPG

When we're taught that the Bible is God's Word and we're given a copy of it written in English, we often assume that understanding its meaning should be a pretty straightforward task. As we see in today's episode, the nature of time, geography, culture, and translation warn us that it's very easy to misunderstand communication, even when its given to us in our native language. Today we'll learn more about why our study of Scripture needs to be undertaken with the humility of knowing that just because something seems "obvious" to us, doesn't necessarily guarantee that we've properly understood its meaning. Links--------- Apostle's mailbox: https://apostlesmailbox.com Jamethy's sketchfab model of an ancient Jewish dwelling:https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/1st-century-israelite-house-72c347217c8a4f38872252dcab6d1784(License: cc 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Today we discuss the day when Jesus walked on water, and some of the Old Testament passages that have been suggested as the background context which helps interpret the passage. One suggestion is a possibility (Psalm 77), another is a perhaps more interesting option (Job 9), and the last is probably best considered an example of what not to do when interpreting Scripture (Isaiah 46). We'll talk about semantic range and the divine name, even as I try to resist the urge to act as if this text was written for one concrete "teaching point." https://apostlesmailbox.com/

The Bible teaches us many amazing things, and simple things, and complex things, and ... terrifying things. Today's episode is teaching on perhaps the most SCARY thing in the Bible for modern Christians. The ideas discussed herein just might leave you unable to carry on with life as you always knew it. Your pastor might never be brave enough to say these things out loud, but they're in your Bible. Proceed at your own risk.

Michael Heiser once said that it's the "strange" things in the Bible that are important. In today's episode on John 6, we consider the various "strange" details that show up in the feeding of the 5,000, and discover that they all point back to the Exodus, Moses, and the promise of a capital-p Prophet who Yehovah promised to raise up from among the Israelite people. We'll see everything from Manna to the Sabbath, and take caution that the kingdom of God (with Jesus as King) is not to be established by force of arms.

In a world of AI, air travel, and microwaves, working hard to accomplish a task seems like such a waste of effort. We want our religion to be give to us pre-packaged, and we want to understand it without having to think very much. Bible study is indeed made far easier by leaning on the expertise of others. Nevertheless, understanding divine self-revelation written in ancient foreign languages to ancient cultures is not a simple task. Furthermore, regardless of how "healthy" your church is, chances are very high that you've learned to accept as true a doctrine that misses the mark. Today is a challenge to roll up your sleeves, prepare for hard work ahead, and decide to take the red pill. Links* ----------- How to be Your Own Selfish Pig: https://amzn.to/3LyG18X Dino Dig Diplodocus: https://amzn.to/4cS03Y2 *Some links, including Amazon links, are affiliate links that support this ministry if used to make a purchase.

To make sense of John 5, you've got to understand Agency. When you understand Agency, you might be surprised at where you end up. Links---------(Note: Links to Amazon are Affiliate Links, for which I receive compensation if purchases are made using them) LutheranSatire "St. Patrick's Bad Analogies": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQLfgaUoQCw Jewish Encyclopedia entry on Agency: https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/894-agency-law-of A few of the major traditional creeds: https://www.crcna.org/welcome/beliefs/creeds(Note especially the difference between the Apostle's Creed and the Athanasian Creed, both in simplicity/complexity, and in the absence and presence of proclaiming condemnation on those who do not agree.) Non-traditional analysis of major "deity of Christ" texts which assumes a conservative view of the inspiration of Scripture : https://amzn.to/4eJYPj0 A "Wisdom" framework for understanding the book of John according to 1st century Jewish thought: https://amzn.to/45LK8b6 Apostle's Mailbox: https://apostlesmailbox.com/

Everything is oversold these days. Hyperbole is the new normal. So when a friend lent me a book claiming my worship would be change in just 7 words, I was not very expectant. I did eventually read the book. Find out in today's episode if it lived up the the dust jacket's claims. It's dirt cheap on Amazon Kindle, and not much more costly in print, and if you use this link to make a purchase, Amazon will even throw a few cents back my way (Affiliate Link): https://amzn.to/4bVknHr

Once again we return to Jesus' teaching about himself in John chapter 5, and what we discover about his exalted position might not match what you've always been taught (or what you've assumed to be true). Join us as we talk about the idea of Agency, and how this makes sense of the way Jesus talks about his own work, teaching, and authority as the one God sent. https://apostlesmailbox.com

There are a number of fairly common errors we make when we read Scripture, especially when we are new to the practice. However, every once in a while even the experts get it wrong. Today we find one such case as we discuss John 5. #christology #God #translation #interpretation https://apostlesmailbox.com/

When Jesus went back to his hometown, he didn't exactly get a very expectant welcome. However, that doesn't mean that nobody believed! And for those who did, he showed his great mercy and power. Today we look at the account of a desperate dad, and how his willingness to travel and beg led to the recovery of his dying son. There's a challenge here for our own faith, and also a subtle nod to the coming death of Jesus. #faith #miracles #Jesus

Why do people believe in Jesus? The exact blend of reasons varies from person to person, but as with most things, we can make some generalizations. In today's return to the book of John, we see a few evident reasons why the Samaritans accepted Jesus as their Messiah, which also apply to us today. Come and hear why it's so important for us to bear witness to Jesus, and get a little bonus along the way: find out why when Jesus says "I am" in John 4, it is not a claim to deity. https://apostlesmailbox.com/

We wrap up our "Anatomy of a Conversion" with a final few tips about the importance of remembering that what seems 'natural' and 'normal' to us might be more a factor of our cultural presuppositions rather than the Bible's "plain meaning." We'll talk about interpretation and also discuss a little bit the inherent weaknesses of translations as well. I suggest a few resources in the movie, which are available many places. If you use the affiliate links below to purchase one or more of them, I will receive a small commission. Links --------- How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Gordon Fee): https://amzn.to/3Ujhfyy Zondervan Counterpoints Series (Various): https://amzn.to/4aZvGgH Apostles Mailbox: https://apostlesmailbox.com

If you've grown up believing that all your beliefs are "Biblical" (because why would your church teach un-Biblical things?!), it can be pretty disorienting to consider that one of your beliefs might be wrong. In today's episode, we consider the need to let go of the dogmatic insistence that we only have Biblical beliefs. Those who regard Scripture as the ultimate and true source for our knowledge about God, faith, life, and eternity should not fear the Bible, but ought to be eager to re-evaluate beliefs in the light of the Bible. What could go wrong? If it turns out that Scripture teaches contrary to what we've believed, we can take new comfort at finally having arrived at a more faithful representation of the Biblical witness. If we discover that the Bible does indeed teach what we've believed to be true, we will hold that belief with even greater confidence. True Christian belief doesn't fear the Bible! In particular, today we are discussing the danger of reading snippets of the Bible out of context.

Every year most Christians celebrate Holy Week by commemorating a Friday crucifixion and a Sunday empty tomb. Is this correct? Since childhood I was irked by the idea that a Friday crucifixion wouldn't fulfill the "sign of Jonah" given in Matthew 12:40, "For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." The internet didn't exist in those days though, and I didn't even know what a commentary was, so I eventually just tucked it away in my unsolved mysteries file. A few years ago I finally rolled up my sleeves and did some study. What I found convinced me that Jesus was crucified on a Thursday. Since it's Holy Week this week, and in keeping with my current theme of reviewing and revising my beliefs according to the witness of the Bible, I decided to share what I found in today's episode! Disclaimer: there are those who think a Wednesday crucifixion works better than Thursday to account for all the gospels' details. They also could be right, and frankly technically the Friday crucifixion is also a possibility by some accounting. Stick around till the end for reasons why the exact date of the week is less important than the implications of this study! ------------ Https://apostlesmailbox.com

Your beliefs are being rocked, you're not sure where to even start dealing with this new dilemma you're facing, and you're afraid of where this all might lead. Now what? As we continue exploring the anatomy of a conversion, we'll discuss what to expect and some tips on how you can proceed with wisdom. ------------- https://apostlesmailbox.com/

Central to the Christian faith is the idea that Jesus Christ opened the door for people of every tribe, tongue, and nation to enter into his kingdom, the family of God, by repenting of their sin and confessing him as Lord. Christianity also teaches that by nature we are rebels alienated from God. Thus, conversion is the starting point for every Christian life. Believers in agreement with those ideas therefore celebrate conversion in that sense. Less well-received among Christians is the idea that one might abandon a doctrinal conviction *within* the confines of Christianity for another conviction that is also held by other Christians. For instance, a Baptist who considers becoming Anglican likely faces significant headwinds from her peers, as might an Anglican joining a Baptist church. Nevertheless, such movement within the faith is quite common. Unfortunately, it is not altogether common for believers to teach young people how to navigate the difficult waters of sorting through questions and doubts when their long-held convictions are challenged. Today's episode is the first of a short series designed to tackle just such a task. By considering the example of a minor "conversion" of sorts I walked through last year, I will be offering advice and encouragement on how to proceed with wisdom in your pursuit of truth if/when your beliefs--or the beliefs of a loved one--are challenged. --------------- https://apostlesmailbox.com/

The woman at the well knew she was talking to someone special when he demonstrated supernatural knowledge. Her impulse was to finally settle a matter of doctrinal debate! We aren't that much different when we pore over our Bibles looking for the final "conclusive" answers that will satisfy our need for answers to all of life's questions. When Jesus gives her an answer that is quite unexpected, she immediately turns to invite her village to come and listen for themselves. She thinks she might have found the Taheb, the Messiah, the Christ, the Prophet. She was right. Join us in John 4:15-30 for a discussion of this most important topic. #Jesus #taheb #prophets #unexpected ---------- https://apostlesmailbox.com

There is a prophesy in Isaiah that foretells one who would be called "Immanuel", or "God with us." But in what way would God be with us? An account in Luke 8 may indicate that the normal Christian assumption about God's presence with us as fully-divine-Jesus might not be the best way of thinking about this phrase. What are the implications for Christians today if we re-evaluate how God is present among us? We'll touch on "Theosis" and propose an alternative viewpoint about the work and authority of Jesus in today's episode. --------- https://apostlesmailbox.com

What exactly IS the gift of God? When Jesus met the woman at the well in John 4, he was seeking to avoid the attention of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. Tired, he sits down and makes and incredible offer to an untouchable woman. That same offer is available to you, as well. Are you in? With references to water baptism, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and another instance of misunderstanding, you won't want to miss this episode! ------- https://apostlesmailbox.com/

Those who highly value the Bible often assume that their years of study mean they have progressed from spiritual infancy to maturity. In today's episode, we discover that often quite the opposite is true--that complex arguments leading to increasing division within the church do not equate to spiritual depth. Join me for a look at 1 Corinthians 3 and come back to the true foundation upon which every church work in history must be based. Books referenced: The Night is Normal, by Alicia Britt Chole, https://amzn.to/483PeP7 * The Walk of the Spirit, the Walk of Power, by Dave Roberson, https://amzn.to/48UaBnf * ---------- https://apostlesmailbox.com/ *I receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through these affiliate links.

In December 2023, the Vatican released a document regarding pastoral blessings, which was promptly weaponized by countless Christians against the Pope, many of whom likely did not bother to read the document itself. News media was filled with headlines of this declaration and reports of dissension within the RCC church herself. I am not a Roman Catholic, but I started to wonder how much truth was found in these accusations, so I decided to read the document itself. It's not even that long. I was sadly not surprised to find that once again a Straw Man had been erected and publicly excoriated. Once again, in an attempt to stay faithful to Jesus, it looks like we have resorted to tactics Jesus never would have used. Christians, we must not wage war as the world does. Here's the document, if you'd like to read it yourself. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20231218_fiducia-supplicans_en.html ------- https://www.apostlesmailbox.com

Some of the red-letter words in your Bible might not have been spoken by Jesus, some of your assumptions about receiving the Holy Spirit might not be completely Biblical, and Jesus' ability to speak the very words of God was a result of the indwelling Spirit. Seriously! Find out how these things can be true despite your inclinations to the contrary. All of this in John 3. Today there are glimmers of why this is important. In the weeks to come, there will be more! #holyspirit #wordofgod #assumptions --------------- https://apostlesmailbox.com

Sometimes, the most important things we need to hear come in the most innocuous of settings. As pastors and ministers and YouTubers strive to gain and keep members and followers, John the Baptist is glad to give up his disciples so they can run after Jesus. Are YOU the friend of the bridegroom, Jesus, or are you trying to usurp his position? Is your favorite church leader or teacher more like John the Baptist, or less? ...and no, Jesus wasn't a Baptist, but he was a baptizer! #followers #discipleship #competition #gospelofjohn ------------ https://www.apostlesmailbox.com/

Long ago, the Jews made a bronze serpent *at Yahweh's command*! God was foreshadowing something great, and the Israelites still managed to make something bad out of it. In today's episode on John 3:11-21, we'll talk about this link between Old Testament and New, with a reminder to look to Jesus Christ for life and a warning against falling into idolatry. ----------- https://www.apostlesmailbox.com/

You might have sang a song in Sunday School that said "I stand alone on the word of God, the B-I-B-L-E!" Is this a great way to think about the Christian faith though? Certainly many of the people in my generation who also grew up singing that song now don't believe the Bible's witness about Jesus Christ. Did Bart Ehrman "do them in," or another bible-doubting expert? Or could some of the blame be found in the system they were taught as children? Today's episode WON'T cover the argument that you can't stand "alone" on the Bible without first standing on the authority of the church councils that canonized the collection of books which defines the composition of the Bible today. It will, however, take a look at an Old Testament expert and religious leader who knew and saw much, but was still lacking a necessary ingredient for understanding. We'll be talking about John 3, Nicodemus, and the weakness inherent in a doctrine of "salvation by information-alone." Stick around for the exhortations at the end, and like and/or share this episode if you've found it helpful. ------------ https://www.apostlesmailbox.com/

Reflections and recap of the 10 days I spent in Iquitos, Peru this November, getting to know Iglesia Genesis and helping with a few of their projects as part of a GoServ Global team. God did some neat work in and through our team, and here's my perspectives on what happened on this trip. If you'd like to donate to Iglesia Genesis to help with their work building the Kingdom of God, or contribute to Vero's mission, you can give at the Genesis Church website: https://genesisunnuevocomenzar.org/checkout/donate?donatePageId=5f4826feda3bcb68abe817a3 If you'd like to join a future GoServ Global missions team, whether in Iquitos or elsewhere around the world, you can find more details at their website: https://goservglobal.org/mission-trip-schedule/ ------------ https://www.apostlesmailbox.com/

We're back in John after an extended break, and once again we'll discover some truth from the Bible alongside some church history and official doctrine. AND, since disagreement with official "orthodox" doctrine makes one technically a "heretic," you might just discover today that you're a heretic. I certainly am on those terms, and you'll see how in today's episode. Thankfully, it's not common for people to get burned at the stake for heresy in our current era, so I'm not going in to hiding. In fact, I hope that by charitably discussing the matter of disagreement, we can learn to be a bit more patient and gracious to other Christians who don't share every last one of our own personal convictions. For futher information on the Catholic teachings regarding Mary's perpetual virginity, see: https://www.catholic.com/tract/mary-ever-virgin If you are interested in reading more of the development of the Christian Church by examining early documents, Henry Bettenson's "Documents of the Christian Church" is a fairly good place to start--he includes selections of letters, statements, and the like, all translated into English.

Everyone loves a good conspiracy story, maybe because it's fascinating to think there could be hidden truth out there just waiting to be discovered. Sometimes the greatest truths are not the ones eternally unseen, but the ones long-forgotten. Like the name of God. In Episode 22, we'll cover two quite masterful spiritual deceptions found in the pages of Scripture: the original cause of our alienation from God, and a later abandonment of what intimacy God had re-established. Are we primed to repeat this follow? (Hint: are you prone to speak of Jesus almost entirely as "the Lord"?) Join us in Genesis 3, 2 Corinthians 5, and in the nearly 6,000 other places in your English Bible where this grand distraction is on display. -------- https://www.apostlesmailbox.com/

Which of your theological convictions are you ABSOLUTELY certain of? Chances are good that someone else in this world is as ABSOLUTELY certain that you're wrong (and that their opposing view is right). This is not to say that there is no truth, or that we can't know truth, but rather that what is absolutely certain is that there are many people in the world who absolutely, staunchly, (often militantly) believe something that is false. How would you know if the person who is wrong is YOU? A good start would be to listen to what your opponents have to say. Hard to do? Sometimes. Unpopular? Certainly. Will there be people you love who will freak out and warn you to run away from the "heretics" who dare to disagree? Maybe. The good news is, if those heretics are absolutely as crazy as you always thought, then having carefully considered their stance you will rest more comfortably with your own (and you might even make a interesting new friend, and help them change their mind!) On the other hand, if it turns out you were the one who is wrong, you won't have to stay there any longer. Win/Win.

"Everybody" knows that there isn't a pantheon of gods gallivanting around the universe, right? Such an idea is in contrast with the major monotheistic religions of the world (and most importantly, Christianity). But when the Jews said "hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one," (Deut. 6:4) did they mean there was only one spiritual being of power in the world? Perhaps we're not sure what to do with the fact that Ephesians 6 tells us our struggle is against powers and principalities in the heavenly realm. In today's episode, we look even further back into the Old Testament and consider what Deuteronomy 32 and Psalm 82 have to teach us about those divine beings in the unseen realm. ------ https://www.apostlesmailbox.com/

Most Christians know that Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding. You might have heard people discussing whether this passage is proof that it's OK for Christians to drink alcohol, or arguing that the "wine" of those days wasn't really intoxicating. Nevertheless, drunkenness is not the point here. John tells us that this was a "sign," which would indicate that this event revealed a deeper meaning about Jesus. Today we discuss some of the cultural background of this passage, and speculate about a few possible meanings behind the miracle. You might be familiar with some of these ideas, but I doubt you've heard them all! By the time you've heard today's episode, hopefully you'll join Jesus' disciples in "believing" in him a little more! ---------- Https://www.apostlesmailbox.com/

You should not do everything written in your Bible. Some things in the Bible are described as happening, not as an example to follow, but either as a simple description of fact or even as a warning of what NOT to do. You should not assume everything you are led to infer from your Bible reading is accurate. In fact, the Bible tells us of at least one specific circumstance in which people "read between the lines" of what he was saying and drew a very wrong conclusion. Today we look at Acts 2 and John 21 as examples that caution us to proceed with caution when trying to interpret or apply the Biblical text. -------------- https://www.apostlesmailbox.com/

Now that Jesus has been baptized, God has confirmed him as the Messiah, and John the Baptist has started telling people that he's the "Lamb of God," it's about time Jesus called some disciples! As Jesus rounds up the first of the crew, we find these brand new followers full of an incredible array of titles for Jesus. (Jesus hands out some nicknames and character descriptions as well!) The real theme of today's passage though is "seeing." Jesus is a person to be seen and experienced, not a theory to be learned. Since we've already heard about the "Lamb of God" last week, today we will skip right ahead to these titles: Messiah/Christ Prophet foretold by Moses Son of God King of Israel Son of Man ------------ https://www.apostlesmailbox.com/

It's easy to pay lip service to the importance and power of prayer. When we get down to brass tacks, however, does our fervency and frequency in prayer reveal a heart that expects much from prayer, or little? Or, perhaps our prayerlessness is more related to an unawareness of need? We might not always understand how prayer works, but the Bible is perfectly clear that to neglect prayer is to guarantee inferior outcomes in life. Join us in looking at Ephesians 6 for a quick reminder that prayer is not an option for Christians, but a vital necessity. ------ https://www.apostlesmailbox.com

Should we be familiar with the Testament of Levi? Why wasn't Jesus called "the Bull of God who takes away the sins of the world"? How does Jesus fulfill the prophesies of Isaiah 42? How important is the Holy Spirit to the work of Jesus Christ? Today, we discover what John the Baptist had to say in his testimony about Jesus, and answer those questions and more along the way. We cover John 1:29-34, the Testament of Levi 18:2-14, and more as we more fully study the gospel of John. ---------- https://www.apostlesmailbox.com

Spiritual disciplines Americans usually enjoy: worship, rest, prayer, celebration, fellowship. Spiritual disciplines Americans sometimes enjoy: study, generosity, service, disciple-making. Spiritual disciplines Americans dislike: fasting, chastity, confession. Today we tackle fasting. It's a real pity such a practice isn't more common among us! -------- https://www.apostlesmailbox.com/