Over forty times the Bible describes the Holy Spirit as creating, speaking, testifying, teaching, or forbidding, etc.

To deny His Personhood and deity is to deny the Bible and the Triune God who inspired it. - BA Purtle

‘Effective ministry corresponds so much with the character of a minister that theologian John Sanderson advised people to play softball with pastoral candidates interviewing for a position. "Then on a close play at second base," Sanderson said (with his tongue mostly in cheek), "call him out when he is really safe. Then see what happens!"’ -Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching

"None participate in the benefits of Christ save those who raise their minds to the resurrection." - John Calvin

One of the aims of the “must manage his household well” requirement for an overseer is that his wife and children wouldn’t say at his funeral, “He loved theology, preaching, counseling, evangelism, missions… in a real way we think he loved Christ. But he didn’t love us much.” - BA Purtle

Though an emphasis on typology may initially seem strange, it was by God’s set foreknowledge that the first coming of the Messiah would be somewhat “mysterious” (cf. Luke 8:10 and par.; Rom. 16:25; Eph. 1:9; 1 Tim. 3:16), so as to confuse the wise and make the haughty stumble (cf. Rom. 9:30–33; 1 Cor. 1:18–25). Those who recognize their own depravity, casting themselves upon the mercy of God, readily receive the veiled prophetic unfolding of divine kindness before the plainly revealed apocalyptic culmination of divine severity. Thus, “slow of heart to believe” (Luke 24:25) is an issue of pride and repentance rather than unenlightenment and gnostic revelation. - John P. Harrigan, the Gospel of Christ Crucified, p.388

Paul also makes frequent references to Genesis 3. For example, he exhorts the Roman church to resist wicked deceivers, whose “smooth talk and flattery” (Rom. 16:18) is akin to that of Satan in the garden. Then he admonishes them “to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil” (v. 19), an obvious reference to the forbidden tree, for “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (v. 20). By “soon” he has in mind the coming of Christ and the day of the Lord (cf. Rom. 2:5; 3:6; 4:17; 5:9; 6:5; 8:18–23; 10:9; 11:25–27; 13:12; 14:10–12), and the “God of peace” (16:20) is understood in light of the messianic passages wherein peace is proclaimed and established upon the earth under the Messiah’s rule (cf. Isa. 9:7; 66:12; Hag. 2:9; Zech. 9:10). - John P. Harrigan, the Gospel of Christ Crucified, p.126

If the Scriptures reveal the players and playing field of existence, how does it describe the game of existence? What are the rules? What are the goals? What are the strategies involved? Though some may reject the Scriptures as primitive and mythological, I believe they give us clear answers. Unlike most other sacred texts, which are generally uniform and homogenous in nature, the Bible is a complicated assortment of writings of various genres written over a millennia and a half by various authors in various contexts. From a human perspective it may seem like a hodgepodge of dissimilar and discordant books with little overarching meaning (except, as assumed by critical scholars, the record of the historical evolution of human beliefs). Assuming, however, that the Scriptures are of divine origin, I believe we must approach them as a progressive revelation from God concerning his relations with humanity (cf. Rom. 16:25–26; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 3:3–5). 

Furthermore, this progression of revelation (in both the Tanakh and the New Testament) generally seems to be increasingly apocalyptic—meaning God is progressively revealing himself in relation to the ultimate end of history, and this end is both climactic and cataclysmic. For this reason the intertestamental Jewish apocalyptic tradition is based on both the Prophets and the Writings, as they exposited the Torah. Moreover, the New Testament is an extension of this tradition, culminating in the book of Revelation. In this way all of the apocalyptic themes develop organically from the Torah through the Prophets and the Writings. From beginning to end, the Bible is thus a progressively apocalyptic revelation, depicting the narrative of God (in his holiness) and humanity (in its depravity) playing out to their ultimate end. - John P. Harrigan, the Gospel of Christ Crucified, p.45-46

“Revelation was, indeed, at the outset generally accepted. In the second century it was among the earliest books to be included in the growing New Testament. Hardly anyone doubted its right to be counted there. Yet in the third century the Greek theologians of Alexandria - Origen and those whom he influenced—were repelled by it.” - Dr. Michael Svigel

"Keep clear of introspection, of brooding, of spiritualism, of everything eccentric. Keep to work and sanity and open air – to the cheerful and the matter of fact side of things. We hold our mental health by a thread: and nothing is worth risking for it. Above all beware of excessive day dreaming, of seeing yourself in the centre of a drama, of self pity, and, as far as possible, of fears.” - C.S. Lewis

Theology 201: I'm a little surprised how many people read the occurrences of "then" (τότε) in Matthew 24 to mean "next in chronological order following the preceding event," as if the Olivet Discourse is providing a step-by-step series of events. The Greek τότε usually means "at that time" in the sense of "during the same period being discussed," not necessarily "after the event just mentioned." And while I'm at it, a lot of English translations of Revelation render καί (and) as "then" just to avoid the tedious repetition of "and...and...and..." This also has led people to take things in chronological order that may not necessarily be intended as such. I can't emphasize enough the need for training and experience in the original languages. But then, it would send to the trash heaps a hundred years of popular-level end-times books by hacks who made chronological charts based strictly on τότε and καί translated into English as "then." Yes, the New Testament does contain clear texts with clear chronology using clear chronological terms. And yes, sometimes in context τότε and καί can indicate series of events following each other. But the naive assumption by many that they always do has led to dubious and downright deceptive conclusions. - Dr. Michael Svigel

Theology 101: The process of sanctification involves continually sacrificing who we are to become who we ought to be. - Dr. Michael Svigel

The third century saw the first attempt to discredit millenarianism, when Origen, perhaps the most influential of all the theologians of the ancient Church, began to present the Kingdom as an event which would take place not in space or time but only in the souls of believers. For a collective, millenarian eschatology Origen substituted an eschatology of the individual soul. What stirred his profoundly Hellenic imagination was the prospect of spiritual progress begun in this world and continued in the next; and to this theme theologians were henceforth to give increasing attention. . . .  When in the fourth century Christianity attained a position of supremacy in the Mediterranean world and became the official religion of the Empire, ecclesiastical disapproval of millenarianism became emphatic. The Catholic Church was now a powerful and prosperous institution, functioning according to a well-established routine; and the men responsible for governing it had no wish to see Christians clinging to out-dated and inappropriate dreams of a new earthly Paradise. Early in the fifth century St Augustine propounded the doctrine which the new conditions demanded. According to The City of God the Book of Revelation was to be understood as a spiritual allegory; as for the Millennium, that had begun with the birth of Christianity and was fully realized in the Church. This at once became orthodox doctrine. - Norman Cohn, The Pursuit of the Millennium: Revolutionary Millenarians and Mystical Anarchists of the Middle Ages

The fact that the apostolic witness was readily received by so many orthodox Jews (Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 11:19; 13:43; 14:1; 17:4; 18:8; 19:10; 21:20; 24:24f; 28:24) argues strongly for an unaltered Jewish apocalyptic background to the cruciform message. - John P. Harrigan, The Gospel of Christ Crucified, footnotes, p.341

Some say understanding Jewish apocalypticism and the historical context of the NT is a form of gnosticism-- some special knowledge that only the intellectually elite can attain.

It's exactly the opposite.

Knowing what Jews actually believed about things like the day of judgment, the resurrection of the dead, the kingdom of God, and Gehenna delivers us from the theological plague of "spiritualizing" everything (which is the real and original gnosticism).

It actually allows us to read the NT in a plain, common sense manner. - John P. Harrigan

Theology 101: Eternal life is not disembodied life in heaven…or even reembodied life in heaven. Eternal life is reembodied life on a renewed earth.- Dr. Michael Svigel

Here we find the unraveling of a multitude of Gentile games revolving around realized eschatology. If the age to come has been realized, then the cross is no longer the standard of this age, and the sufferings of Christ are to be avoided. The logic is straightforward. Yet the apostolic witness cries out against such folly: 

“Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! . . . We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute” (1 Cor. 4:8–10). 

Paul thus refutes an early form of realized eschatology. - John P. Harrigan, The Gospel of Christ Crucified, p.384

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs (Rom 15:8)

Paul summarizes the first advent of Messiah as service to the Jews in order to confirm the hope of Israel. The everlasting covenant is the source of hermeneutical truth. The further you veer from it, the further you drift into delusion. - John P. Harringan

The Gospel in its Historical Context // Dr. John Harrigan

 

Audio 1. 

Theology 101: Never preach eternal life as just dying and going to heaven. Preach resurrection. Preach resurrection. Preach resurrection. Without the redemption of our bodies through resurrection, death would forever be the victor and corruption its eternal sting. - Dr. Michael Svigel

"Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life." (1 John 2:24-25)

Live your life in a way that fosters hope in the resurrection. This is how we abide in him.

"And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming." (v 28)

-John P. Harrigan

“There is no exception to this rule; from the Master down to the last disciple, it is a procession of cross-bearers. The day will come when there will be a transformation scene, and you will see all these cross-bearers transformed into crown-wearers. But, rest assured that the old motto, ‘No cross, no crown,’ is certainly true, and those who refuse to carry the cross after Christ on earth shall never be permitted to wear the crown with Christ in the land that is beyond the stars.” - Spurgeon

You can’t love the ways of the world and love God at the same time. You can’t love your own life and love God at the same time. Choose a master to give your sole love and service. If you aren’t willing to do that, then you’ve already chosen a master, and you will find only death. - Josiah Geoffrey

“Martyrdom is not a special calling for a select few, but the commitment of every Christian and the responsibility of every church. Even though not every individual Christian will be killed, there is no way to distinguish those who will be killed from those who will not. Even though not every Christian will be remembered as a martyr, every church that locates its identity in the cross is obligated to cultivate the virtues necessary to enable all of its members to die for the cause of Christ. Every Christian is a member of a martyr-church” - Craig Hovey, To Share in the Body: A Theology of Martyrdom for Today’s Church 

My teaching on our church's statement of faith. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

Prophetically foreseen by Erich Reber and described by writers such as Robert Banks and Met Castillo, it was in 1996 when probably the first intentional house-church planting movement outside rather closed nations like China, Vietnam or Cuba, was initiated by Dr.Victor Choudhrie in North India. In later years, other initiatives followed, initiated by IBRA Radio, a Swedish Pentecostal Radio ministry, which started a new house church planting ministry in the Arab World, or apostolic persons like Bruce Carlton, inside, but clearly on the fringes of existing mission agencies like the Southern Baptists’ IMB (International Mission Board). First greatly ridiculed by traditional churches in almost all nations, the house church movement has grown to many hundreds of thousands of churches in an amazingly short period of time, and is, at this point, not only the main harvesting tool God seems to use in Muslim nations like Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Indonesia, but making its presence felt in many Western nations as well. Apostolic church planters like Neil Cole or Tony Dale, Bernard Sanders and Guy Muse, Victor John and David Watson, Peter Wenzor Jonathan Pattiasina are leading the way, and many in traditional churches who were watching are not laughing anymore. By now (2009) we know of at least 500,000 newly planted house churches (outside China), and, if George Barna is right in his predictions, published in his book Revolution, it will take but a few more years for house churches to become not only an extremely vital harvesting instrument of God, but quite simply the new mainline church, replacing CAWKI [church-as-we-know-it] with something introduced to the mindset of most Christians only a few years ago. - Wolfgang Simson, The Starfish Manifesto: A Prophetic Roadmap for an Apostolic Journey

Post-400 AD Christianity is a two-fold history of reformation of theology and praxis. Multitudes of books have been written on the reformation and restoration of apostolic doctrine, but few have even considered the restoration of apostolic ecclesiology. The reason for this: it contradicts the wealth and power of the church, so much so that the church persecuted anyone who even tried to live it out by themselves. - John P. Harrigan, Biblical Praxis of Missions

It was not until the conversion of Constantine that the church wholeheartedly adopted corporate holdings endorsed by the State. As the church systematically transitioned to an institutional corporate base, the war against gnosticism subsided, and the Romanized church assumed the identity of the Kingdom Now before an immaterial heaven, i.e. “Christendom”. The theology was thus adopted to validate the ministerial ambition for wealth and power. - John P. Harrigan, Biblical Praxis of Missions

When the church was very young, it had no buildings. Let us begin with that striking fact. That the church had no buildings is the most noticeable of the points of difference  between the church of the early days and the church of today. In the minds of most people today, ‘church’ means first a building, probably something else second; but seldom does ‘the church’ stand for anything other than a building. Yet here is the fact with which we start: the early church possessed no buildings and carried on its work for a great many years without erecting any. This fact has something significant to teach us concerning the character of the church… There was practically nothing in the way of church building until the third century, and nothing with any pretension to architecture until after the conversion of Constantine early in the fourth century. During all this time the church carried on her mission without buildings of her own, without property, and without the burdens and responsibilities that the holding of property implies.  - Ernest Loosley, When The Church Was Young

“We have no temples or altars.” This statement, referring to Christians, comes from the pen of the apologist (defender) Minicus Felix, c 200, and all evidence supports its accuracy. Throughout at least the first two centuries there were no church buildings as such, and this was so remarkable that to the pagan population, it was considered grounds for accusing the Christians of 'atheism.' In a world notable for the number of its holy shrines and the rivers of blood that flowed daily from the sacrificial victims, Christians were conspicuous in that they possessed neither the first nor engaged in the second.” - J.G. Davies, Secular Use of Church Buildings 

And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead. (Acts 10:42)

Proclamation of traditional Jewish eschatology lies at the heart of the Great Commission - John P. Harrigan

In this way, the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, [7] so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. [8] He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 1:6-8)

Cruciform, charismatic, Jewish, and apocalyptic--the defining characteristics of the apostolic witness. - John P. Harrigan

And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

(John 2:16-17)

Jesus's zeal was for the temple, not against it. All Jews at the time knew the temple to be the epicenter of the resurrection and the age to come (cf Isa 2:2; Eze 37:26). And Jesus's own resurrection was a sign (vv. 18-19) which confirmed his zeal and authority over his Father's house. - John P. Harrigan

“A man really believes not what he recites in his creed, but only the things he is ready to die for.” — Richard Wurmbrand 

It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (Deut 7:7-8)

The election of the Jewish people has always been based upon divine covenantal faithfulness to the Patriarchs. Thus Paul,

As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Rom 11:28-29)

-John P. Harrigan

While the Christian church has historically (and rightly) clung to the cross of Christ, we’ve criticized the Jews for focusing on the crown. But biblical literacy demands we cling to both—because the prophets spoke of both. Consider that Zechariah had prophesied Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem on a donkey the week before this Emmaus table experience [Zech 9:9]. Just a few chapters later, he prophesies that Jesus will very literally deliver Jerusalem from a literal war and then literally reign from her holy hill—His holy hill [Zech 12-14]. And just as He fulfilled one promise, He will fulfill the other. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus brought important, critical clarity to a confused, fledging body of believers on Resurrection Sunday. In doing so, He not only demonstrated biblical literacy, He encouraged the cultivation of it. - Stephanie Quick, The Perks of Biblical Literacy

You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:28-30)

Jewish Messiah. Jewish hope. The future of the world is Jewish.

"Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." (Rom 15:10)

-John P. Harrigan

Here's a list of several men directly or indirectly considered "apostles" in the New Testament who were neither members of the Twelve nor authors of Scripture:

1. Barnabas

Explicitly called an apostle with Paul in Acts 14:14.

2. James, the Lord’s brother

Called “James the Lord’s brother” and designated “an apostle” in Galatians 1:19 (Greek: Ἰάκωβος ὁ τοῦ κυρίου ἀδελφός καὶ ἀπόστολος).

3. Silas (Silvanus)

Described as an apostle in the Greek of 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and 2:6 (where he is called “Silvanus, a brother, and an apostle”). Sent by the Jerusalem church with Paul and others (Acts 15:22, 27, 32) and travels with Paul in Acts 15–18.

4. Timothy

Also styled an apostle in the Greek of 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and 2:6 (with Paul and Silas). Missionary (apostolic) companion of Paul, but not one of the Twelve and not the author of any NT book.

5. Epaphroditus

Called “your apostle and minister of my need” in Philippians 2:25 (Greek ἀπόστολον).

6. Apollos

Generally treated as an apostle by some scholars, though the word apostolos does not appear in Apollos’ own name‑passages (Acts 18–19; 1 Cor. 3–4). If only explicit NT uses of the noun apostolos* are required, Apollos might be excluded; but where lists are drawn (e.g., explaining “the apostles” in 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:22; 4:9), he is often classed in the apostolic circle.

7. Unnamed “apostles” in 2 Corinthians 8:23

2 Corinthians 8:23 speaks of “messengers** of the churches, the apostles **of Christ” (Greek ἀπόστολοιἀπόστολοι).

8. Titus

While not titled "apostle," the nature of Paul's instruction in Titus (as well as pertinent narrative portions in Acts) and of his co-working with Paul shed light on his role, which appears not only to be one of a "helper" or even an "elder," but fits much more within the apostolic ethos and function.

None of these apostles were members of the Twelve, recipients of original foundational revelation (like Paul), nor authors of Scripture. Suffice it to say, while it's clear that there can be no apostles added to the category of the Twelve, nor can there be new apostles who receive authoritative revelation that's binding for the Church in all ages (Scripture is sufficient), it's also clear (from Scripture itself!) that certain kinds of apostles lived and labored outside of those categories in the NT.

A few of them were more like messengers between the churches. But most of them were Gospel preaching, elder-qualified, elder-appointing, spiritually fathering, disciple-making church-planters. (Paul clearly fit in this category as well, though direct revelation of the Gospel and NT authorship were unique to his apostleship, of course. We could also add that NT authorship was not definitive of nor central to apostleship in the NT. Most of the Twelve, in fact, were not authors of NT books, much less the men listed above. Ordination to biblical authorship was simply a feature of some of the NT apostles rather than being definitive of it, broadly speaking.)

I am convinced that this role of apostleship should be seen as ongoing, and that the lack thereof has led to all kinds of improprieties and errors in the work of the Great Commission. It has led to well-meaning hastiness in the laying on of hands, and to sending men who may be noble and sincere in many respects, but aren't yet equipped for the task. It is a truncated thing to define "missions" exclusively as evangelism in a foreign field. The (non-12, non-bible writing) apostles did more than that in the NT. 

Therefore, when I take up Matthew 9.37-38 in prayer for the advance of the Gospel in America and to the uttermost parts of the earth, I'm praying especially for these kinds of "laborers/workmen" (ἐργάτας)--- Men fit to lead teams of co-workers for the task spelled out in Scripture.

God has many such men at work among the nations, I'm convinced. They are largely unknown in the popular ministry spheres. But we haven't enough. "The laborers are few," indeed, and the Great Commission will require many more. These are the kinds of men we are laboring to shepherd and equip in our local church, and I think all churches ought to be doing the same.

Some are, and I thank God for them. Others are not. I think we're in need of a Reformation of sorts along these lines. May the Lord of the harvest raise up faithful men of this kind, for "the fields are white unto harvest," and the nations are in need of clear Gospel-preaching, real discipleship and spiritual fathering, and the establishing and nurturing of healthy local churches.

This is our aim until the blessed Lord appears. - BA Purtle

All discipleship leads to Gethsemane. - Bill Scofield, the Gethsemane Track

I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. (Rom 9:2-3)

Jewish eschatology (Rom 8) creates empathy and love for the Jewish people. Gentile eschatologies create enmity and hate toward the Jewish people. - John P. Harrigan

"What I protest against is the habit of allegorizing plain sayings of the Word of God concerning the future history of the nation of Israel, and explaining away the fullness of the contents in order to accommodate them to the Gentile Church. I believe the habit to be unwarranted by anything in Scripture, and to draw after it a long train of evil consequences." - JC Ryle

But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. (Matt 5:34-35)

Like the resurrection, the judgment, and Gehenna, the future glorification of Jerusalem and the messianic kingdom which will rule from there was simply assumed by Jesus and the apostles. - John P. Harrigan

The good confession echoes the Master’s public affirmation that He was the King of the Jews. Paul’s message to Timothy was an encouragement to ‘fight the good fight of faith’, ‘to take hold of eternal life’, and to be mindful of the ‘good confession’ that Timothy had made in the presence of many witnesses [1 Timothy 6:12]. The good confession that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah of Israel, and not another type of leader or special figure, is the bedrock upon which faith and perseverance are built. The tension created by maintaining this confession is not accidental. Any other spiritualized vision of Jesus can be currently functioning in his role. The only Jesus that leaves us with tension, is the one affirmed in the good confession. If He is the King of Israel, then we are still in the tension of waiting for Him. This tension is the place that the Spirit meets us and grants strength, encouragement, and perseverance to those who long for the promised redemption. Remember, Jesus is the Christ—the coming King of the Jews. - Bill Scofield, The Good Confession

The Day of the Lord was not a random point on their eschatological chart in the first century. It was the trigger for the redemption. It indicated the holy day when the King of the Jews would be enthroned. Some of Paul’s opponents in Corinth likewise taught Corinthian disciples that they were ‘kings already’ [1 Corinthians 4:8]. Like in the reference above, the suggestion that they had begun to reign already was about the Messianic role. To suggest that it had begun not only suggests some ghastly things about the quality of the Master’s reign, it further suggests that hope of the prophets and the apostles has been realized and strips the disciple of vital components of perseverance. - Bill Scofield, The Good Confession

The church is not a justice movement, its a mercy movement with a justice message. - Chad Brewer, sermon on 1 Peter 3. 

If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone. (1 Cor 15:19)

The resurrection of the dead gives meaning, purpose, and direction to life.

Its neglect or distortion leads to deception and corruption (v. 33) because temporal realities are ultimately futile and mediocre. - John P. Harrigan

Peter, answering for the others, affirms their conviction that Jesus was ‘the Christ’—that is, the Messiah, or the coming King of the Jews. This affirmation became the bedrock [Matthew 16:15-18] upon which the Jesus movement was formed. This story, like the ‘good confession’, served to highlight the central conviction that bound Jesus’s earliest followers together: Jesus of Nazareth was the coming King of Israel.

We know of course that these terms would later lose their apocalyptic edge. Following the extended delay of the apocalyptic scenario proclaimed by the Apostles, many of the terms used in the New Testament texts would be repurposed to represent the evolving values of the growing Christian community. ‘Christ’ came to reference, not the long-awaited king of the Jews, but Jesus’s identity generally. The ‘good confession’, later used as a general public affirmation of one’s allegiance to Jesus, lost its concrete meaning and, with it, the ability to inspire hope and perseverance that Paul attempts to stimulate in his letter to Timothy. This isn’t intended to demonize these later Christian leaders. It’s simply how history has unfolded and how the early hope of the Apostles was displaced. - Bill Scofield, The Good Confession

"We read in Acts 10.44 that 'the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.' ... I want to establish that the thing was patent and evident... And if your doctrine of the Holy Spirit does not include this idea of the Holy Spirit falling upon people, it is seriously, grievously defective. This, it seems to me, has been the trouble especially during this present century, indeed almost for a hundred years. The whole notion of the Spirit falling upon people has been discountenanced and discouraged, and if you read many of the books on the Holy Spirit you will find it is not even mentioned at all, a fact which is surely one of the prime explanations of the present state of the Christian church....You particularly get the evidence for this in Acts the second chapter. It was evident at once to the populace of Jerusalem that something had happened to these men.... Then we are told about the saintly Robert Murray McCheyne in his church in Dundee in the late 1830s and early 1840s. It has been authenticated so many, many times, that McCheyne had simply to enter the pulpit and before he had opened his mouth people used to begin to weep and were convicted of sin. He had not uttered a word. Why? Well, the explanation was that this man had come from the presence of God and the Spirit was poured forth. One of the results is something that can be seen even externally.

I am emphasizing this because I am convinced that the main trouble with most of us and with the church in general is that we seem to have forgotten the presence of the Spirit and the power of the Spirit. We have become so formal, with everything so set, so organized, all in the control of man- and have forgotten this other evidence, the power and the glory of the Spirit and the sanctity and the holiness. I am convinced that the greatest need of the church is to realize again the activity of the Holy Spirit. You see, we organize- organize meetings, organize campaigns, but that is because very largely we have forgotten this element that I am trying to emphasize to you. When the Spirit comes His evidence is unmistakable and the results are amazing and astounding.... Now I do not want to make an either/or issue of this, but I do wish to say this, that if you neglect this element all the rest will avail you nothing. In a sense this neglect has emptied the churches. And there is no hope until we return to the New Testament, the primitive pattern."

Martin Lloyd-Jones, Joy Unspeakable, Copyright © 1984, by Bethan Lloyd-Jones; pp. 115-122

via BA Purtle

My teaching on Jesus healing the boy with a demon and being the greatest in the kingdom from Luke 7. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

The Jews have been hated for being poor and for being wealthy; for being weak and for being powerful; for being too separate and for being too assimilated; for being religious and for being secular; for being stateless and now for having a state.

At some point, honest people must recognize that these contradictions expose something deeper than politics, economics, or sociology. The accusations change, but the hostility remains. The reasons are endlessly recycled because "the reasons" were never the real issue.

The Bible teaches that our struggle is not merely against flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers and principalities. Throughout history, there has been a relentless hatred directed toward the people through whom God chose to reveal Himself, give the Scriptures, bring forth the Messiah, and through whom He has promised yet to fulfill His covenant purposes.

Better to recognize this before Yeshua, the King and Messiah of Israel, judges the whole earth. - Joel Richardson

Antisemitism is not merely ordinary racism. It is the most persistent, ancient, irrational, adaptable, and uniquely obsessive hatred in human history. - Joel Richardson