Author: Jon Mitchell

Zechariah: A Prophecy About Idolatry and Unclean Spirits

At the very beginning of the church, miraculous prophecies were listed among the spiritual gifts which the apostles gave to some within the early church through the laying on of their hands (1 Cor. 12:1-11ff; 14:1ff; Acts 6:6, 8; 8:5-24; 19:6; Rom. 1:11; 2 Tim. 1:6; cf. Eph. 2:20; 2 Pet. 1:19-21).  So were the working of miracles such as casting out unclean spirits or demons (1 Cor. 12:8-11; Acts 5:16; 8:7; 19:11-12; cf. Mk. 16:17).  These miracles were done to confirm the Word of God which the apostles were preaching and writing (Mk. 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4).  This was possibly the reason Jehovah allowed demonic possession during this time.… Read More Zechariah: A Prophecy About Idolatry and Unclean Spirits

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1 Peter: Elect Exiles of the Dispersion

Some of the first readers of 1 Peter were likely in Jerusalem years earlier on Pentecost.  Jews from Pontus and Asia had heard the apostles speaking miraculously in their own native language on that day (Acts 2:8-11).  Some of them were likely among the 3,000 who had obeyed the gospel that day (Acts 2:36-41).  Thus, some of the original recipients of 1 Peter might have been there with Peter on the day the church began.… Read More 1 Peter: Elect Exiles of the Dispersion

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