I’ve known people who make fun of some of the laws in the Old Covenant (the Law of Moses). “Isn’t it silly to sacrifice animals,” they say, “why do such a gruesome thing?” If Bible literate, you know the answer. These sacrifices were for sin, demonstrating the seriousness of acting against God. They were symbolic and prophetic of the perfect sacrifice for sin when Jesus died on the cross. In this ...

It’s a famous section of scripture, with Jesus promising to build his church on the rock, and that rock is the confession Peter had just made, that “you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” The church will stand on the rock of Jesus’ Messiahship; the fact that he is the Son of God. But then Jesus continues the discourse. To Peter he says, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; ...

You’ve experienced this, just as I have. You’re at the Sunday Bible class and the teacher asks for prayer requests. What dominates the list as it is assembled? You know the answer. Prayers for the sick. And I get it, because when I’m sick, I want others praying for me, as well.That said, do we find such an emphasis in the prayers mentioned within the New Testament, as the apostles and their associ...