Essential Bible Studies

Sin in Five Verses

From Genesis to Revelation, sin is a major topic. One could even say it is a subject of life and death. Rob joins Tim to get a grasp on five verses that define sin. They are all very similar, yet each has its own nuance. The more we get into this study the more we get a sense of the seriousness of sin and letting God define it for us.
Key Verse:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 6:23 
The Five Verses:
#1 – Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4)
#2 – All unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17)
#3 – What is not of faith is sin (Rom. 14:23)
#4 – Failing to do right is sin (James 4:17)
#5 - Coming short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)

The Greatest of these is Love

Could there be any more beautifully expressed words then Paul's exposition on love in 1 Corinthians 13? Join Brian and Tim and as they talk about the Greek words for love to get a better understanding of how to love like Christ. They then go on to explore each phrase and consider what it means for us in our life of discipleship.
Key Verse:
“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
Handouts:
1 Corinthians 13 Version Comparison Spreadsheet
1 Corinthians 13 Comparison with Exodus 34
1 Corinthians 13 Comparison with Galatians 5
Show Notes:
Definitions of the Greek words for love
Agape (Strong G25, G25 and G27) - to love (in a social or moral sense)
Phileo (Strongs G5368) to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while agape is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the two thus stand related very much as G2309 and G1014, or as G2372 and G3563 respectively; the former being chiefly of the heart and the latter of the head)
Root G5384 philos - properly dear, ie. a friend
Used as a root of several other words. G5386 philosophos - philosopher, fond of wise things
Quotes about love
Agape is “the love that flows from a person’s association with God’s purpose in Christ, a principled love that is not free from passion, but is not driven by passion.” - Michael Ashton, The Christadelphian Magazine, 2002.
“the Greek agape takes on a special meaning: it is used to designate a volitional (or relating to one’s will) love as opposed to the purely emotional kind. It is a self-sacrificial love, a kind naturally expressed by God.” – Stephen Whitehouse, The Christadelphian Magazine, 2009.
Special verse that define agape love as self sacrificing (John 15:13; Rom. 5:8; John 3:16).
The beautiful definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13
Appreciating the context and comparing different versions.
Similarities between 1 Cor. 13 and the character of God in Ex. 34:6-7 and the fruits of the spirit in Gal. 5:22-23.
Breaking down 1 Corinthians 13
“Love is patient and kind” compare Eph. 4:1-3. “Kindness is love communicating” Dennis Gillet, Genius of Discipleship
“love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant”. KJV “not puffed up”. This was a problem with the Corinthians (4:6, 18, 19; 5:2; 8:1)
“love is not rude”
“It does not insist on its own way”, not self-centered
“it is not irritable”, that is, not easily provoked to anger.
“or resentful” literally mean to not keep a record of wrongs. Doesn’t hold grudges.
“it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”
Two ways of interpreting this – love does not gloat over the wickedness of others (Ezek. 33:11) and love does not overlook error but speaks the truth (2 Tim. 2:17; Eph. 4:15)
“Love bears all things”. Literally means to cover over like a roof. Compare Prov. 10:12; 17:9
“believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Love includes faith (belief) and hope
In the Kingdom there will be no need for faith (Heb. 11:1) or hope (Rom. 8:24) but love will endure.
J.B. Phillips translation of 1 Cor. 13:7-8 “Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.”

In the Image and Likeness of God (Part 2)

The discussion on man being in the image of God continues in this episode where it focuses on Jesus Christ. How is he described as being in God's image and what is the implication for us? The conclusion to this study is a beautiful realization that our hope is to made into the image of the heavenly after the pattern of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Key verse:
2 Cor. 3:18  "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Show notes:
Intro and Recap
Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15; Heb. 1:3 NLT). The image is about having the characteristics of God.
When Paul quotes Gen. 1:26 he says “image and glory” (1 Cor. 11:7). How is glory related to likeness?
We are living a process of being made into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18; 4:4-6; Col. 3:9-10; Rom. 8:29)
We were born with the image and likeness of Adam (Gen. 5:1-3) the image of the earthly (1 Cor. 15:49) but being born again into Christ hope to in the image of the heavenly (1 Cor. 15:49)
Final conclusion

In the Image and Likeness of God (Part 1)

What does it mean for man to be created in the image and likeness of God? Is it a physical image or something else? Frank and Tim start a discussion on this topic taken from Genesis 1:26. It turns into a really interesting study taking the show to unexpected passages in Scripture looking for answers.
Key Verse:
Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”
Show Notes:
Introduction
Gen. 1:26 - Why does the grammar change to “us” at this point? Our hope is to be make like the angels (Luke 20:36) therefore the angels are involved at this point rather than begin directed as the case with the animals.
The image and likeness of God
What makes us like God compared to the beasts? “after his kind” (1:24-25) -> “after our likeness” (1:26-27), Psa. 49:20
Is there a difference between image and likeness?
God commands nothing to be made in his image (Deut. 4:12,15-19; Rom. 1:23 “corruptible man”)
The future aspect of being made into the God’s image (Psa. 17:15; 1 John 3:2; Phil. 3:21)

The Greatest Commandment

Jesus said the greatest commandment of all was “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." and that there was a second like it "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." This was so important that he said, "on these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 22:37-40)
Tim and Aaron explore the importance of love as an essential of essential Bible studies. They go back to the Old Testament reference that Jesus draws upon as well as the context. Discover what love is really all about and how to know and show forth the love of God in your life.
For more shows or to get in contact with us go to www.essentialbiblestudies.org
Cover art from Unsplash

Season 4 Highlight Teaser

The next season of the Essential Bible Studies Podcasts starts on January 17th, 2022. Listen to some of the highlights coming up. It's going to be a great season of engaging Bible study and discovery. Don't miss it!
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Season 4 Trailer

Season 4 of the Essential Bible Studies Podcast drops on January 17th, 2022. Listen in to find out what is coming!

Testimony and Reflections Season 3 (Part 2)

This is the second part to our season three testimony. Stan Isbell continues the amazing story of how God has worked in his life. Stan recalls considering ending his life before one conversation would change everything. Along the way Stan relates lessons learned through the years and how we can more effectively preach the word of God to others.
The chart of God's 7000 Year Plan that changed Stan's life can be found here.
The cover photo is from the Texas Christadelphian Camp and Conference Center, a place dear to Stan, but that's another story.  Photo courtesy of @hannah.young104.

Testimony and Reflections Season 3 (Part 1)

For our season three testimony we welcome Stan Isbell to share his story of how God has worked in his life. Stan recalls his early life in Texas, the experiences that led him to drug addiction, and to thoughts of ending his life before God stepped in and brought him back from the abyss. The is the first of a two part series because it is so amazing.

You are gods

This is the second of a two part study on Jesus' words in John 10:22-38. In response to the Jews accusing Jesus of making himself equal with God, Jesus quoted Psalm 82:6 "I said, you are gods." What did Jesus mean by this and how did it help to answer his antagonists? Tim Young and Tom Colby find the answer in the context of Psalm 82. Follow this lead and you'll see the wonder and beauty of Jesus' response.
Episode Outline
Introduction
Previous podcast, setting the scene (John 10:22-24)
Jesus’ answer is quoting from Psalm 82:6
Understanding Psalm 82 and God Manifestation
Elohim = judges (Ex. 22:8-9; Deut. 1:16-17; 2 Chr. 19:5-7)
Using this to better understand Psa. 82:1,6. The judges were supposed to manifest God.
Relating this back to Jesus’ argument in John 10:34-36
Conclusion
This is how Jesus and the Father are one (John 10:38)
We too must strive to manifest God (John 17:20-22)

I and the Father are One

This is the first of a two part study on Jesus' words in John 10:22-38. In verse 30 Jesus said, "I and the Father are one". It's important to understand the context of the argument Jesus is having with the Jews. Tom Colby and Tim Young spend some time unraveling the meaning of this phrase to reveal a very important Bible principle called God manifestation. This is the culmination of some of the studies we've been having this season. It is sure to make you appreciate the Lord Jesus Christ more and how we pray to be one with him as he is with the Father.
Episode Outline
Introduction
Previous podcasts on God manifestation… and now we study how it relates to Jesus using John 10:22-38
Setting the scene (John 10:22-24)
Jesus manifesting the name
The works I do in my Father’s name (John 10:25) cp. “I am come in my Father’s name (John 5:43-44)
Given a name above all names (Phil. 2:9-11)
What does it mean God and Jesus are one?
Not the Trinity. My Father is greater than all (v. 29) seems contradictory to “I and my Father are one” (v. 30). How do we explain this?
Comparing to Jesus’ prayer in chapter 17
Jesus’ manifested the name (17:6)
The oneness of the Father, Jesus and all believers (17:11, 21-26)
Conclusion
The reaction of the Jews
The answer of Jesus saved for the next podcast

Discerning the Spirits

How did Christians living in the first century know what was true and what should be included in the Bible? How can we be confident what is in the Bible is what is supposed to be there? The answer is in the Bible. Jay Mayock and Tim Young discuss the role of prophets and how the Holy Spirit gifts of the first century were used to test the prophet's words to be true or false. This essential Bible study brings us confidence in the Bible as the word of God and provides the tools to reject false doctrines.
Theme Verse – 2 Timothy 2:15
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
Show Outline:
The Gospel of Judas
A copy was found that is 1700 years old
Released in 2006 (National Geographic published an article)
Reverses the role of Judas, vindicates him as the one who understood Jesus
There were lots of ‘false gospels’ circulated in the early days of Christianity
How did first century Christians know what was really the word of God?
The Role of Prophets
Both foretelling and forthtelling the word of God – lexicons and context
True vs. False prophets (18:20-22)
Jeremiah vs. Hananiah (28:2-4, 10-11)
Agabus (Acts 11:27-30)
Prophecy: One of the Spirit Gifts
Prophets were one of the most important gifts (3:5)
The whole point of the gifts was to build up the whole ecclesia (4:11-16)
All members had to work together to help each other
Specifically, prophets had to work together with ‘provers’
Authenticating the Word – An Ecclesial Work
Context #1 – Spirit, prophecy, discerning, spiritual good for all (1 Cor. 12:4,10,7)
Context #2 – Spirit, prophecy, weighing, spiritual learning and encouragement for all (1 Cor. 14:12,29,31)
Context #3 – Spirit, prophecy, testing, holding fast to good (1 Thes. 5:19-21)
Counterfeit messages! (2 Thes. 2:2; 1 John 4:1; Rev. 2:2)
The church, ecclesia, need to work together to develop the unity of the faith
They did attain it, because the gifts were withdrawn! (4:13-14)
Lessons for Us Today
The prophets’ words were confirmed in part through the accuracy of their predictions, and also by those who had the gift to discern, weigh the spirits.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit were withdrawn after the ecclesias attained unity in the faith.
‘False’ gospels do not undermine our NT.
Now that we have received the word of God from the prophets, we must test any teaching with that word. In short, we must: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”  (2 Tim. 2:15)