Words of Christ

  The Vivid Victory Over Evil in Acts 28:2–5: A Tapestry of Rain, Cold, Fire, and Viper In Acts 28:2–5, a seemingly straightforward account of survival after Paul’s shipwreck on Malta unfolds into a vivid spiritual narrative, painted with striking imagery by the Holy Spirit. The text reads: “And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, ‘No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.’ But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm” (NKJV). Beneath this account lies a profound tableau: rain “standing upon” the scene, cold chilling the soul, fire kindling life, and a viper—the embod...

  The Futile Mind: A Biblical Perspective on Spiritual Darkness and Fruitlessness In Ephesians 4:17-18, 4:20-24, and 5:11, the Apostle Paul paints a vivid picture of the "futile mind"—a mindset marked by spiritual darkness, ignorance, and barrenness. This concept, deeply rooted in Scripture, serves as a sobering warning against living apart from God’s truth and a powerful call to embrace a renewed life in Christ. Below, we explore the characteristics, consequences, and remedy for the futile mind, drawing from these passages to understand its implications for believers today. The Futile Mind: A Portrait of Darkness Ephesians 4:17-18 describes the state of those who live apart from God:  "So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ...

  The Voice of Truth: Hearing Jesus in the Gospels In John 18:37, Jesus declares to Pontius Pilate, “Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” The Greek word for “voice,” φωνή (phonē), carries profound weight—it’s not just sound but the living expression of Jesus as the embodiment of truth (John 14:6). The Gospels, as the written record of his words and life, uniquely capture this φωνή, distinguishing them from the Old Testament and revealing why some, like Pilate, miss the call of truth altogether.Pilate’s response to Jesus—“What is truth?” (John 18:38)—followed by his swift exit, shows a man who hears but doesn’t listen. Distracted by the louder “voices” of Roman authority, the crowd’s demands, and political expediency, Pilate dismisses Jesus’ φωνή as irrelevant. His indifference mirrors a modern tendency: prioritizing other voices, even sacred ones like the Old Testament, over the direct voice of Jesus in the Gospels. Pilate’s response to Jesus—“What is truth?” (John 18:38...

  The Total Replacement in Christ: Unveiling the New Covenant in Hebrews The Book of Hebrews presents a profound theological shift, declaring Jesus Christ as the fulfillment and replacement of the old covenant, encompassing both its moral and sacrificial dimensions. This “total replacement” introduces a new law, a new priest, a new mediator, and a new covenant, as articulated in Hebrews 7–10. Yet, this transformative truth is often overlooked, even by theological giants like Martin Luther and John Calvin, whose distinctions between the moral and ceremonial Law may have obscured the full scope of Hebrews’ message. For many Christians, including myself, grasping this total replacement took time, as the new law’s spiritual nature is subtle and easy to miss. This article explores Hebrews’ vision of Christ’s complete replacement of the old covenant, why it’s often misunderstood, and its implications for reading both the Old and New Testaments today. Hebrews’ Radical Claim: A Total Repla...