Reading Galatians

Another Pauline letter, with this one most likely being the first Paul ever wrote. This letter focuses on one of the key issues facing the early Acts church, which was the combination of Jewish and Gentile believers. Obviously, Peter spearheaded this movement, but Paul was integrally involved as well, at times reminding Peter of the basis behind this belief.

Paul starts the letter by describing his conversion experience, stating that key to this was a real Gospel presentation. An authentic gospel message has the power to change any person's life. But a fake gospel message can ruin any person's life. That gospel is the most important thing in a Christian's life, one that we should strive to protect.

The gospel is also one of the most powerful things in a Christian's life, and shouldn't be limited to only certain people. It's power stretches worldwide, and its transformation potential cannot be held back. The church must realize this truth, and live accordingly. 

Olive Drive Church

Reading Second Corinthians

Calvary CSD

Second Corinthians is the follow up letter from Paul, but it's very similar to the first one, with many of the same issues being addressed. The main point of this letter is to defend himself, and defend the church from false teachers and heresy again.

Paul starts by defending himself in front of the church. Apparently, people were questioning his authority, and position as an apostle. Paul defines what an apostle is, what qualifies someone as an apostle, and then goes on to apply all that to himself. He takes it so far as to say that his message is the only right message. The apostle's message is the only one that you should follow.

Paul again extends this to combat the false teachers, and instead impart the apostle's authority onto the issues that this church was facing. He talks about accepting suffering for Christ, giving generously, and the benefits of examining yourself using Scripture.

Reading First Corinthians

Kingdom New Testament

The next book of the New Testament is most definitely a letter to a specific church with a very particular situation, but the doctrines and lessons included are extremely applicable to the church today. Paul was writing to a church that was embroiled in debate and division. Surrounded by wickedness, and other pagan religions, the church had began to adopt false practices, and remaining "believers" had begun to compromise the underlying principles of the faith with their actions, and interpretations.

Paul wrote a letter of renewed conviction, correction, and motivation. He tackles the division, questions of morality, and questions of everyday Christian life occurrences. The book is an amazing tool for us to use today to help us conquer our daily questions, and trials.

Perhaps the greatest conclusion from the book is the underlying need for unity. Throughout the church body, the family, teams, groups, e.t.c., there has to be unity. Every time conflict rips through the church, relationships are affected, and the perception of the church is also impacted. This can not happen when our priority is to minister to the communities that we are present in. This doesn't mean that every Christian has to agree on every topic. To me, unity is moving towards a common goal. The exact movement may differ, with the paths being slightly changed for each person, but the end result will always be the same. Paul is quick to make sure that there are common principles that have to be agreed upon, and that's definitely true. But if we do disagree on some topics, I think we should look at the disagreement, and ask if it truly matters to our faith, and if so, by how much. If it is a needless debate, then it's time to move on, and refocus on our relationship with God.

Reading Romans

Romans is strategically placed right after Acts for a simple reason; it's a perfect read to understand the basic principles of Christianity. Paul wrote this letter to help new Christians understand more about their faith. The book is keyed on sacrifice, salvation, Christian living, and righteousness.

Paul wrote this letter to the Romans, who hadn't heard any apostolic teaching outside of the Gospel. Because of this, they were beginners in the faith, and they needed some sound, strict doctrine. 

Paul reminds everyone that we are all in the same boat. Spiritually, we all start in the same place; as sinners. However, the same gift of grace and salvation has been given to us all through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. This sacrifice is a gift, because we don't deserve eternal life. Instead as Paul explains, for our sinful lives we deserve death; eternal death. Jesus came and wiped away that debt, and gave us the opportunity of eternal life if we'll only choose to believe in Him.

Past that, Paul also goes into deep depth in terms of righteousness. Righteousness is what we should strive for, with Jesus as the perfect model. As Christians, that is of utmost importance. We must be striving for righteousness, rather then be stuck in our old behaviours, our old mind, our old will. With Jesus, we should always be working on changing our lives for the better.

Wordpress

Reading Acts

Acts is the second part of the letter Luke, the doctor, wrote to his patron (the person who sponsored his work) Theophilus. The book contains the story of the resurrected Jesus, the beginning of the early church, and the spread of the Gospel. It reads very much like another Gospel account, just an extended version with a new timeline. If anything, it's a story, of God's church, the successes and struggles, the pains and triumphs. It is perhaps the best historical record of how Christianity developed.

For me, the biggest theme in the book is passion. For those who know me, passion is my focus. I think that if everyone in society was more passionate, we would see the world drastically changed. If anything, that passion should be way more evident in every Christian's live, because we have something purposeful to be passionate about it. We have something that is life changing, transforming, all powerful, and ever present to be passionate about it. That's what this book displays; Christians on fire for God.

The book is a perfect picture of what passion in action looks like. It starts right from the beginning. Peter was on fire with the Holy Spirit, Stephen defended his faith to the very end, Philip spread his faith to anyone who would listen, Paul was drastically transformed, and spearheaded this movement throughout persecution, trials, and growing pains.

Indy Cornerstone