Category: East Main Bulletin Articles

Articles I write for the weekly bulletin of the East Main Church of Christ, the congregation where I preach.

Zechariah: “Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep Will Be Scattered”

Zechariah continues his prophecies about the Messiah and His church as chapter 13 ends.  We know the shepherd points to Jesus himself because Christ cited it as being fulfilled when his disciples – “the sheep” – would desert him upon his arrest (Matt. 26:31; Mk. 14:27; cf. John 10:11ff).  The sword being awakened against the shepherd and striking him is a clear reference to the crucifixion.… Read More Zechariah: “Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep Will Be Scattered”

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1 Peter: Foreknowledge, Sanctification, Obedience, and the Blood of Christ

The Spirit revealed God’s Word to the apostles (John 16:12-15; cf. 14:16-17, 25-26; 15:26-27; 1 Cor. 2:9-13; cf. Acts 1:8; 2:1-4), and inspired them and the prophets when they wrote the Scriptures (Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; cf. 2 Tim. 3:16).  It is through God’s Word that we are sanctified (John 17:17), and God’s Word comes to us by the Holy Spirit-inspired writers of Scripture.  Thus, the Spirit sanctifies Christians through God’s Word.… Read More 1 Peter: Foreknowledge, Sanctification, Obedience, and the Blood of Christ

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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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