Genesis 17:9-14 “Be Cut or Be Cut Off”

God issues a very strong command to Abraham as part of establishing the covenant of circumcision: “Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” What is the meaning of this command for us? How do we know we [...]

Genesis 17:9-14 “What’s Your Sign?”

Genesis chapter 17 opens with God’s command and promise to Abraham: “I am God Almighty; walk in my presence and be blameless, that I might make my covenant with you and multiply you greatly.” After elaborating on His covenant, God gives the command that Abraham and all male descendants after him must be circumcised. It [...]

Update on Harold Camping “Prophecy”

I received the following comment/question on our website regarding the alleged “end-of-the-world” prediction coming up this next saturday, may 21, 2011. Here is the unedited body of it and my response. Don Ebel “I just wanted to let you know that of all the research I’ve followed up on yours is the only organization with [...]

Genesis 17:4-8 Benefits of Walking and Falling Down

In Genesis 17:1-3 we saw two things: God’s willingness to “make a covenant” with Abraham and the absolute necessity of Abraham’s obedience to “walk in [God's] presence, and be blameless.” Many who claim to be disciples of Christ have the foolish attitude that says by their lives “once a Christian always a Christian.” While this [...]

Acts 13:1-3 Am I Here to Worship (or is there something else)?

The New Testament is surprisingly sparse when it comes to the mechanics of worship; and frustratingly so, for the modern church manifests “worship” in a variety of styles, many of which conflict with one another, and sadly most of which are not in the least biblically based. But along with the question, “What is worship?”, [...]

Genesis 17:1-8 Walking and Falling Down

Everyone knows that a baby, in learning to walk, must fall down. Christians often forget that in their walk to maturity they must also fall down. Today we encounter Abram falling down for the right reason: the awe of God’s glory and commands and promise. We’ll explore a few assumptions made by Christians about the [...]