Essential Bible Studies

Using Lexicons: A Word Study of "Church"

The word “ecclesia” has been said a few times on the podcast without any definition. We fix that in this episode. Matt Colby rejoins the podcast to talk about one of his favorite Bible study tools, the lexicon. As a practical example, we look up the word “church” in different lexicons to see what sort of definitions they provide. The Greek word for church is “ecclesia” and we delve into the significance of this word and why we prefer to say “ecclesia” instead of “church”.
Scripture mentions:
1 Corinthians 11:18
Romans 16:5,23
1 Corinthians 1:1-2 (key verse)
Lexicon resources mentioned:
Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words https://www.amazon.com/dp/078526020X
Louw & Nida Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683072219
BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, Gingrich) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0226039331
The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament (English, Hebrew, Aramaic and Aramaic Edition) https://www.amazon.com/dp/9004100768
New Testament Words by William Barclay (Author)https://www.amazon.com/dp/066424761X

With What Judgment You Judge

Our last study of the "eternal judgment" by our Lord Jesus Christ made us reflect on how we are judging now. We might read one verse that says "do not judge" and another one that instructs us to judge righteously. Frank Abel joins Tim Young to discuss these passages and how we have to take them all together to get a balanced view.
"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”  (John 7:24)
Outline
Intro
Many passages about the future judgment relate to how we are judging now (e.g. Rom. 14:10-13)
Essential Bible studies are so we might exercise our discernment between good and evil (Heb. 5:14)
We have to be wise about how we judge. Contrast between 1 Cor. 4:3-5 and 5:3; 6:5 (1 Cor. 11:28-32)
When Not to Judge
When you are judging motives (1 Cor. 4:3-5)
When you are a hypocrite (Matt. 7:1-3, see also James 3:1)
When you are judging outward appearances (John 7:24; James 2:1-4; Isa. 53:2-3)
When you have only heard one side of the story (Prov. 18:17; Deut. 19:18)
True Judgments
God loves judgment To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD (Prov. 21:3, see also Psa. 51:16-17)
In judgment he delights (Jer. 9:24; Micah 6:8; bonus Zech. 7:9; 8:16)
One of the weightier matters of the law (Luke 11:42)
The need to balance love and judgment What is a true friend? (Prov. 27:5-6)
How to love your neighbor (Lev. 19:17-18)
Loving like Jesus (Rev. 3:19)
For previous episodes visit www.essentialbiblestudies.org and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Eternal Judgment

In Hebrews 6:2, one of the essential bible studies listed is that of "eternal judgment". Frank Abel joins Tim Young to discuss the subject of the coming judgment. It is important for us to understand the Bible's teaching on this as it says we will all have to stand before the "judgment seat of Christ". Will you be ready?
Passage discussed:
Romans 14:10-12 – Key verse: Everyone to give an account at the judgment seat of Christ
Mark 16:15-16 – The gospel preaching to all the world is the basis of responsibility
Acts 10:40-48 – Jesus will be the judge
2 Timothy 4:1 – The judgment will be at Christ’s appearing and kingdom
2 Corinthians 5:10-11 – The basis of judgment to come
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 – The dead rise first, then the living
Acts 24:14-15 – A resurrection of the just and unjust that causes Felix to tremble
Romans 2:3-11,16 – A whole chapter on the judgment day
Matthew 22:11-14 – Final thoughts on many called, but few chosen

Ted's Top Eight Baptism Passages

Ted Hodge is here to share with us his top eight passages on baptism.
Mark 16:15-16 – Belief and baptism for salvation
Acts 8:12 – Men and women (not children) who believed the gospel were baptised
Acts 8:36-39 – Baptism is an immersion in water (see also John 3:22-23)
John 3:5 – Cannot enter the kingdom if not born of water and spirit
Acts 22:16 – Past: Baptism is for the forgiveness of past sins (see also 1 Cor. 15:31)
Romans 6:3-6 – Present: Baptism is for walking in a new life (see also Matt. 3:17)
Galatians 3:26-29 – Future: Baptism makes us heirs of the promises
1 Peter 3:20-21 - Conclusion
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The Coming of the King (Part 2)

This is the second part of our study on the Coming of the King in 1 Thessalonians. Paul encouraged the Thessalonians in their hope of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven. This is our hope too. Tim and Stephen converse on the importance of making this a reality and living our lives as if we were already in the Kingdom of God.
The music at the end is "Crown of Rejoicing" from the "Even So, Come" CD. Used by permission.
Overheads with "the royal triplet" can be found here.
You can listen to the full set of classes on Thessalonians by podcast or online
 

The Coming of the King (Part 1)

This episode is broadcast from a special place, the Manitoulin Island Christadelphian Bible Camp with a special guest. You'll have to listen in to find out who it is. He shares with us his studies in Paul's epistles to the Thessalonians with its emphasis on the coming of the King, the Lord Jesus Christ. The word "coming" is the Greek parousia and has a special cultural and historical significance. Our guest also shares with us an essential Bible study concerning faith, hope, and love, which he calls "the royal triplet". This is part 1 of 2.
Overheads with "the royal triplet" can be found here.
You can listen to the full set of classes on Thessalonians by podcast or online

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

Jesus' parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is a difficult one to understand. Jay Mayock and Tim Young delve into the background and meaning of the parable. Out of this study comes a deeper appreciation of how and why Jesus was condemning the Pharisees and Sadducees with such a story and what we are to practically learn from it.
 

We Shall Not All Sleep

We have all experienced falling asleep at night and waking up in the morning refreshed to start a new day. God uses sleep and awakening as a metaphor in the Bible to describe death. Aaron McKee and Tim Young go through this essential Bible study on sleep and how it has a wonderful message of hope beyond death. Our key verse is from 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, "Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed."

Every Word of God is Pure

This is part three of our three-part series on the inspiration of the Bible. In this episode, we look at how the Bible describes itself as "innerant". This is not a word that we use too often and neither does the Bible. The Scriptures have different ways of talking about it though. Tim Young and Jay Mayock look at three key passages that talk about the purity of God's word and how important they are for our outlook on studies of the Bible.
The chart on Psalm 19 is here.
For further reading get a copy of Our Sure Foundation by the Christadelphian Magazine.

All Scripture is God Breathed

This is the second part of a three-part series on the inspiration of the Bible. This one is about the scriptures, the written word of God. How did the spoken word of God come to be written down? Jay Mayock and Tim Young continue with this all-important subject discussing how the true inspiration of the Bible is under attack today and how we have to study our Bibles to know what it claims for itself.
For further reading get a copy of Our Sure Foundation by the Christadelphian Magazine.

God Spoke...

The basis of all our studies is that the Bible is the Word of God. What does it mean that the Bible is inspired by God? What does the Bible say for itself on this question? Jay Mayock joins Tim Young to begin this three-part series on the inspiration of God. In this first part, we'll see how God spoke through angels, prophets and the Lord Jesus Christ.

First Natural, Then Spiritual

Season 2 starts where we left off last season with the question, "Where is Genesis 2:7 quoted in the New Testament?" This leads on a journey to understand Paul's message about the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. Along the way, our Bible study reveals to us the meaning of the word "soul" and its connection with Psalm 49. Listen in as Tim Young and Steven Macfarlane discuss this essential Bible study.
The table used for the reading of contrasts in 1 Corinthians 15 can be found here.