Biblical Law
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Chapter 3: The Council of Jerusalem – Law and Liberty
The assembly hall fell silent as elders gathered under its sturdy wooden beams. Light streamed through narrow windows, illuminating the worn faces of men who had walked dusty roads with Jesus, and others who had come to faith through His resurrection’s power. At one end of the room sat James,…
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Article 8: Jesus and the Pharisees – Repeated Confrontations over Law and Hypocrisy
1. IntroductionThe Gospels document numerous confrontations between Jesus and the Pharisees, religious leaders who were zealous for the Mosaic Law yet often criticised by Jesus for their legalism and hypocrisy. These exchanges reveal deep theological and ethical tensions within first-century Judaism. 2. Historical and Biblical ContextThe Pharisees were a prominent…
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Article 24: Conflicts of James and Paul (Law of Moses)
1. Circumcision and the Law of Moses Biblical Context: Nature of the Tension: Implications: 2. Association with the “Men from James” Biblical Context: Nature of the Tension: Scholarly Interpretation: 3. Teaching Emphases and Church Leadership Roles: Implications: 4. Perceived Status and Apostolic Authority Biblical Context: Nature of the Tension: 5.…
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4. Circumcision, Law, and Gospel: The Theological Core of the Paul-Peter Dispute
1. Introduction The conflict between Paul and Peter at Antioch centres on profound theological issues regarding the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision, and the nature of the gospel. This article examines these theological tensions, elucidating how they underpin their dispute and illuminate early Christian doctrine. 2. Circumcision as a Sign of…
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Chapter 4: Circumcision, Law, and the Gospel
Paul and Peter: Conflict, Theology, and Reconciliation in the Early Church Later that evening, after the confrontation, Paul and Peter sat apart from the others, shadows flickering on the walls. Peter broke the silence. “Paul, you challenge me on the Law—on circumcision, the very sign of God’s covenant with Abraham.”…
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Article 1: The Divine Architecture of Blessing – How God Built the Universe to Bear Fruit
1. Introduction The concept of blessing—whether spiritual, material, emotional, or relational—features prominently throughout the Bible. While Christians often focus on covenantal blessing tied to faith and obedience, Scripture also presents a wider framework: God has structured the universe itself to reward certain behaviours, attitudes, and principles, irrespective of a person’s…
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Article 6: Why God Honours Honour – The Law Written on the Heart of All Peoples
1. Introduction One of the profound insights of biblical theology is that moral truth is not restricted to the religiously informed or the covenantally bound. Even those outside the faith—those who have never read Scripture or heard the name of Christ—can and do act with honour, dignity, justice, and compassion.…
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Article 7: Common Grace and Natural Law – Blessing That Flows from Creation Itself
1. Introduction While saving grace through Jesus Christ is central to Christian faith, the Bible also affirms a broader concept known as common grace—God’s generous provision, order, and goodness extended to all humanity, regardless of faith or covenant status. Closely related to this is the idea of natural law—the moral…
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Article 9: Two Streams, One Design – How Universal Law and Covenant Grace Coexist in God’s Economy
1. Introduction Within the biblical worldview, it is possible to distinguish between two major channels through which blessings flow: the universal moral order (natural law) and the covenantal relationship between God and His people. These two streams—common grace through creation and saving grace through Christ—are not in conflict. Rather, they…
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7.11 Stories of Scribes and Teachers of the Law
🔹 Story 1: Jesus Taught with Authority Unlike the Scribes Main Characters: Jesus, crowds, scribesStory Summary: As Jesus taught, the people were amazed at His authority—unlike the scribes, who merely recited traditions. His words had power and clarity.Key Verses: Matthew 7:28–29; Mark 1:21–22Theme Connection: True teaching flows from divine authority,…