Theology & Bible

Theology & Bible helps Christians understand Scripture and the core teachings of the Christian faith. Explore Bible-based articles on biblical interpretation, doctrine, salvation, the Holy Spirit, baptism, communion, creation, and key themes across the Old and New Testaments. You’ll find thoughtful guidance for studying the Bible faithfully, applying God’s Word to life and ministry, and growing in theological clarity rooted in the gospel. Whether you’re a church leader, teacher, student, or everyday disciple, this hub equips you to know God through Scripture and live with conviction and hope.

April 15, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for April 21, 2013: The Lord Will Return (1 Thessalonians 4:13″“5:11)

By Sam E. Stone The apostle Paul founded the church in Thessalonica on his second missionary journey (Acts 17). Because he was not able to stay with the new converts as long as he would have liked, he continued to instruct them by letter.  A central theme in both epistles to the Thessalonians is the topic of today”s study””the return of Jesus Christ.   Return 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul describes Christians who have already died as those who sleep in death. In the New Testament, death is often compared to sleep for the believer (Luke 8:52; John 11:11; Acts 7:60).

April 12, 2013

Christian Standard

Remembering or Participating?

By Tom Lawson “Do this in remembrance of me.” Perhaps no words are more closely associated with Communion. Communion is, if nothing else, a time of remembering Jesus Christ. Many people are surprised, or at least confused, by Paul’s teachings in 1 Corinthians 10:16, 17. Here he teaches that the cup is a participation or sharing in the blood of Christ and the bread is a participation or sharing in the body of Christ. To some, this sounds too close to medieval ideas that had the cup and loaf actually changing into the blood and body of Christ. On the

April 8, 2013

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Lesson for April 14, 2013: The Lord Sends the Spirit (Acts 2:1-41)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Jesus had told his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit to them (John 14:15-17). Today”s lesson tells when that occurred. It happened on the Day of Pentecost, immediately following his resurrection. Pente means 50th. Pentecost was observed on the 50th day after the Sabbath of Passover week. At Passover, Jesus had been crucified; at Pentecost, the inauguration of his earthly kingdom took place. Passover provided a time to remember when the Lord “passed over”

April 1, 2013

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Lesson for April 7, 2013: The Lord Appears (Luke 24:36-53)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone This month”s lessons continue to emphasize the Christ-ian”s undying hope. Today we review the resurrection and next week the beginning of the church on the Day of Pentecost. The remaining lessons in April look to the future with Paul”s encouragement for the Thessalonians. The appearance of Jesus reported in Luke 24:36-43 is the same one reported in John 20:19-23. The apostles are called “the eleven” (Luke 24:33), since Judas was then gone. In his Gospel, John

March 25, 2013

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Lesson for March 31, 2013: The Lord Lives! (Luke 24:1-35)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone This quarter”s theme, “Undying Hope,” focuses this month on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many evidences confirm what took place. The account of the walk to Emmaus is noted briefly by Mark (16:12, 13), but is reported at some length by Luke. It took place on the afternoon of Resurrection Sunday. We know nothing more about Cleopas and his companion other than what is stated here. Some suggest this could be Clopas (John 19:25), and that

March 18, 2013

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Lesson for March 24, 2013: The Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:1-38)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone To the Jew, Passover was the most important of all the annual observances in Jerusalem. Passover was celebrated on the 14th of Nisan. At this feast, Jews remembered their deliverance from Egypt. They would eat bread that had not had time to rise, just as their forefathers had done as they hurried to escape Pharoah and his soldiers. At the feast, each family group would first sacrifice a lamb, then roast it for the meal. Luke

March 11, 2013

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Lesson for March 17, 2013: Gabriel Interprets Daniel”s Vision (Daniel 8)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The type of prophecies that Daniel gave to the Jews are frequently called apocalyptic. Using a great deal of symbolic language and unusual pictures of animals and people, his messages””like those in Revelation””are often difficult to interpret. In today”s lesson we have a great advantage: God”s messenger explains what the vision means! The interpretation points to a future time, not the Babylonian Empire with which Daniel and his people were dealing when he wrote. Tremper Longman

March 8, 2013

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His Glorious Body

By C. Robert Wetzel Glory to God in the highest! Coming to the Lord”s table is an occasion to celebrate the glory of God and the promise of our participation in his glory. Traditionally we have often sung in preparation for the Lord”s Supper, “In the Cross of Christ I Glory.” More recently it may be, “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.” But every Lord”s Day we are reminded in a special way of God”s power, majesty, and love. How extraordinary that the God who created all things should reveal himself in the person of Jesus Christ! How glorious

March 4, 2013

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Lesson for March 10, 2013: Daniel’s Prayer (Daniel 9)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone “The events of Daniel 9 were triggered by the reading of Scripture,” explains James E. Smith. “Daniel had access to a collection of prophetic literature which included the scroll of Jeremiah. He noted in Jeremiah 25:11 that the desolations of Jerusalem were to end after the termination of the seventy years of Babylonian world rule.” This is the background for Daniel”s prayer that we study today. It is surely one of the most heartfelt pleas to

March 1, 2013

Christian Standard

Wordless Groans at the Lord”s Table

By C. Robert Wetzel “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26). We often find our congregations preparing for the Lord”s Supper with an appropriate Communion hymn followed by a meditation that enables us to focus on the meaning of this sacred event. This is followed by what some call the “words of institution,” such as the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. The presiding elder then offers a prayer of blessing over the bread and cup. As we partake, we focus our

February 25, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 3, 2013: Daniel’s Vision of Change (Daniel 7)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The genuineness of the prophetic message of Daniel was sanctioned by Jesus Christ himself (Matthew 24:15). Edward J. Young points out, however, “Daniel was not a prophet in a restricted, technical sense. He was rather a statesman at the court of heathen monarchs . . . inspired of God to write his book.” Daniel was one of the prominent Jews taken from Jerusalem to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar when Israel was conquered (Daniel 12:1-7). These young

February 18, 2013

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Lesson for February 24, 2013: Disciplined for Life (Colossians 4)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone When reading Colossians, it is important to remember that this is another of Paul”s letters written from prison. This makes every word even more meaningful. In this final lesson of our current study, his counsel is especially challenging.   Principles Colossians 4:2-6 Prayer has always been of great importance to Christ”s followers. Jesus is our perfect example. He taught his disciples to pray during the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:5-14) and demonstrated prayer”s importance throughout

February 11, 2013

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Lesson for February 17, 2013: Clothed with Christ (Colossians 3)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone In the first two chapters of Colossians the apostle Paul demonstrated the fact that Jesus is superior to any person or god. In the last half of the epistle, he calls on believers to understand and obey all that the Lord is expecting of them. He contrasts what they are to put off and what they are to put on.   What to Put Off Colossians 3:5-11 Paul emphasized the role baptism plays in a person”s

February 8, 2013

Christian Standard

Confess Our Unworthiness, Celebrate His Worthiness

By Lynn Gardner Paul warned against partaking of the Lord”s Supper in an unworthy manner (1 Corinthians 11:27, 29). However, that does not mean we should not recognize our unworthiness as we partake. Our culture stresses self-confidence as a key to success. Proper self-respect as one made in the image of God is not sinful, and recognizing we are unworthy to be saved by God is not having a low self-image or low self-esteem. God places a value on us because he created us in his image, but we stand before him as guilty sinners who do not deserve his favor

February 4, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 10, 2013: Raised with Christ (Colossians 2)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone If you had lived in first-century Colossae, you would have seen much similarity to today”s world. Competing pagan religions and philosophies battled for the souls of the residents. A Christian should stand out in such a society. For this reason Paul wrote them this letter of encouragement and guidance. Be Faithful! Colossians 2:6-7 Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him. Paul here combines two early confessions”””Jesus is the

January 28, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 3, 2013: Focused Solely on Christ (Colossians 1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Although the apostle Paul himself did not plant the church in Colossae, some of his associates did (Colossians 1:7). When he learned of challenges facing the congregation while imprisoned in Rome, he wrote this memorable epistle to them. His letter focuses on Jesus Christ. Apparently the Colossian church was being challenged by heretical teaching, possibly from Jewish and Gnostic sources. Paul”s strong effort to establish the church”s faith solidly on the Lord should be replicated in

January 21, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 27, 2013: Standing Firm in Christ (Philippians 3:12–4:1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone In his personal letter to the church family at Philippi, the apostle Paul emphasized the importance of doing everything for the sake of Christ (Philippians 3:7). In addition to warning against false teachers, he spoke candidly about spiritual maturity, encouraging every Christian to remain faithful. Today”s text provides guidance for believers living in a hostile world.   Don”t Dwell on the Past Philippians 3:12, 13 It is not wise to think that one has “arrived,” having

January 18, 2013

Christian Standard

Deeper Hunger for God”s Story

By Brian Mavis Eighty-five percent of American households have at least two Bibles. Eighty-five percent of Americans say they want to read their Bibles more.1 There”s an old saying, “Figures don”t lie, but liars figure.” Even so, the stats look promising, and it seems to me that Americans have the necessary ingredients””Bibles and motivation””to know God”s story better. Maybe having a deeper hunger for God”s Word isn”t “what”s next”; maybe it”s just what I wish was next. But if we listen to what people are saying, I do think it can be what”s next. In its REVEAL study, Willow Creek”s

January 14, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 20, 2013: Knowing Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:1-11)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone This month”s lessons are all taken from Paul”s letter to the Philippians. His message to them centered in Jesus Christ, just as his other letters did. Evidently some false teachers were afoot in Philippi, as well as in Galatia (Galatians 3:1-5). They were causing some believers to have misplaced confidence. They taught that salvation could come from what they could do””not by depending on God. We see similar errors today. Paul reaffirmed his previous message to

January 7, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 13, 2013: Imitating Christ (Philippians 2)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Paul”s epistle to the Philippians reads more like a personal letter than a theological treatise. Today”s text (chapter 2), however, ranks as one of the most significant passages in all the New Testament regarding the coming of God”s Son to earth. It is filled with practical lessons for us as well.   Humility Required Philippians 2:1-4 When the apostle says, “If you have . . . these qualities,” he is not questioning whether or not the

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