Category Archives: Textual studies

Galatians: A Summer Series

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Jay F Guin

This summer, June – August 2012, my congregation is studying Galatians in the adult Bible classes, the college class, and in the high school class. It’s part of the multi-generational strategy we adopted last year. We’re going to mix up … Continue reading →

Posted in Galatians, Galatians, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Faith That Works: Perfect Love Drives Out Fear

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Jay F Guin

As predicted, I caught quite a bit of criticism for taking — (1Jo 4:18 ESV) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith That Works, Grace, Romans, Uncategorized | 17 Comments

Faith that Works: Paul’s Defense in Romans 3

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Jay F Guin

(Rom 3:8 ESV)  8 And why not do evil that good may come?–as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just. Notice the charge Paul responds to: “why not do evil that good may come?” Why were such charges being … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith That Works, Grace, Romans, Uncategorized | 12 Comments

Faith that Works: On the Meaning of “Does Not Work”

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Jay F Guin

(Rom 4:5 ESV) And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, Does this mean that Christians aren’t expected to do good works? The verse sure seems to be saying … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith That Works, Grace, Romans, Uncategorized | 39 Comments

Faith That Works: On the Meaning of “Justification”

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Jay F Guin

As shown by the preceding post, “works” refers to far more than works of the Law of Moses — indeed, to anything that is claimed to be a path to justification other than faith in Jesus. Therefore, passages such as Galatians 2:16 do … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith That Works, Grace, Romans, Uncategorized | 14 Comments

Faith That Works: On the Meaning of “Works”

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Jay F Guin

Just a couple of thoughts from a couple of comments from several days ago. Skip wrote, In scripture, our salvation lies in whom we believe not in what we do.   Deeds are not meritorious.  Faith is the focus.   Deeds are a … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith That Works, Grace, Romans, Uncategorized | 24 Comments

Galatians: Introduction for Teachers Only

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Jay F Guin

This summer, June – August 2012, we’re studying Galatians in the adult Bible classes, the college class, and in the high school class. It’s part of the multi-generational strategy we adopted last year. We’re going to mix up the teaching method … Continue reading →

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Acts 8:1-17 (Persecution breaks out; Samaritans converted)

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Jay F Guin

(Act 8:1-3 ESV) And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.  2 Devout … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, Acts, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Acts 8:18-19 (How we’re forgiven)

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Jay F Guin

(Act 8:18-19 ESV)  18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,  19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, Acts, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Acts 7 (Stephen’s speech and martyrdom)

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Jay F Guin

(Act 7:1 ESV) And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” Nearly all of Acts 7 is taken up with Stephen’s recitation of the history of the Jews. It’s a strange way to defend yourself from blasphemy! Why did … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, Acts, Uncategorized | 14 Comments