The Circumcision of the Believer
Volume 2, Number 14Vol 2 - No 14, October 16, 2005Defeating the enemy by faith - Part 3:We saw in the last study that before it could enter the promised land and gain victory over the enemy the corporate body Israel had to be chastised and tried 40 years in the wilderness, just as gold is refined and purified in a crucible of fire. The refining process was twofold: 1) the unbelievers had to die, Numbers 14:20 - 35 and; 2) those still alive had to be circumcised, Joshua 5:2 - 10. Only after being thus prepared could Israel enter the land and... Continue reading →
Israel's Lack of Faith
Volume 2, Number 13Vol 2 - No 13, September 27, 2005Defeating the enemy by faith - Part 2:Our last study dealt with the subject change in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews marked by the verse: "By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land and: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned." - Hebrews 11:29. In this verse Israel was on the defensive but by faith was saved and the enemy destroyed. In the very next verse they were on the offensive and by faith gained victory over the enemy: "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after... Continue reading →
Defeating the Enemy By Faith - Moses & the Red Sea
Volume 2, Number 12Vol 2 - No 12, September 3, 2005Defeating the enemy, by faith - Part 1:In our studies to date it has become apparent that what was done through the Old Testament Saints described in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews pre-figures what God accomplished for us by His son Jesus Christ, that is, the pattern in the eleventh chapter points to the reality of God's finished work in the life of the believer today. The point to be developed in this lesson is the significance of the change in subject in the middle of the 29th verse of that chapter, and... Continue reading →
Overview of Hebrews 11
Volume 2, Number 11Vol 2 - No 11, August 16, 2005Faith - a recap overview of Hebrews 11 to date and look forward:In Hebrews 10:34 the author of the epistle acknowledges the compassion that those to whom he wrote had on him in prison and the pillage of their own belongings, with the knowledge they had better and everlasting wealth in heaven. He encouraged them to have patience, with the confidence that after they had done God's will they would receive the heavenly promise, Hebrews 10:35 & 36, assuring them of the Lord Jesus Christ's imminent return. - Hebrews 10:37. They are reminded... Continue reading →
Abraham, Moses & the Law in Hebrews 11
Volume 2, Number 10Vol 2 - No 10, July 17, 2005Abraham, Moses and the Law:The eleventh chapter of Hebrews has been our guide in these studies of faith. As already mentioned there are two (2) groups of eight (8) individuals named therein. The first group lived during the time recorded in the book of Genesis where Abraham stands out from the others as the primary figure - Hebrews 11:8 - 10 & 13 - 19. As we have begun Volume 2 our studies have had to do with Moses who is the primary person in the second group of eight (8) - Hebrews... Continue reading →
Moses' Faith - Pharaoah's Unbelief
Volume 2, Number 9Vol 2 - No 9, June 18, 2005Moses' faith / Pharaoh's unbelief - Part 3:Our last study focused on Pharaoh's response to the Word of God. Here we examine the faith of Moses, who was about 80 years old when the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ spoke to him from a burning bush while he tended sheep at Mt. Sinai - Exodus 3:1 - 10 & John 1:1, 2 & 14. The Lord said He had seen the affliction of His people; He had heard their cry; He knew their sorrows, Exodus 3:7; He would deliver them out of slavery in Egypt;... Continue reading →
Moses' Faith - Pharaoah's Unbelief
Volume 2, Number 8Vol 2 - No 8, May 22, 2005Moses' faith / Pharaoh's unbelief - Part 2:Our last study was an overview of the plagues God sent on Egypt preliminary to the Passover and freeing Israel from slavery. There were four (4) distinct entities involved: 1) the Word of God, immutable and omnipotent; 2) Moses, God's chosen representative; 3) the corporate body of the Children of Israel and; 4) Pharaoh, representing the world system, which by nature has been alienated from God since and because of Adam's disobedience. God's Word carried out the nine (9) plagues, the Passover, the freeing of Israel... Continue reading →
Moses' Faith - Pharaoah's Unbelief
Volume 2, Number 7Vol 2 - No 7, May 2, 2005The faith of Moses vs. Pharaoh's unbelief - Part 1 (Introduction):We left off with Moses on his way to Egypt in obedience to God's Word to deliver the Children of Israel from captivity and slavery. God appeared to Aaron and told him to meet Moses at Mount Sinai. There, Moses repeated what God had said and showed the signs to Aaron. Moses and Aaron proceeded to Egypt where they met with the Elders of the Children of Israel and Aaron related God's Word and the signs to them. The Children of Israel believed... Continue reading →
Faith & Circumcision
Volume 2, Number 6Vol 2 - No 6, April 2, 2005Faith and Circumcision, Part 2 of 2:Three (3) questions were posed in our previous study: 1) what happened that caused the Lord to seek to kill because a boy was not circumcised? 2) What was the significance of circumcision that made this so serious to God? 3) What does circumcision mean to members of the Body of Christ today? The answers to the first two questions were addressed leaving the third for this study.The sign of circumcision given to Abraham and his progeny was an act of the flesh demonstrating faith in God's... Continue reading →
Faith & Circumcision
Volume 2, Number 5Vol 2 - No 5, March 12, 2005Faith and Circumcision, Part 1 of 2:At the burning bush on Mount Sinai God told Moses He was sending him to confront Pharaoh about releasing His people from Egypt and explained exactly what would take place. - Exodus 3. The Lord dealt with Moses' weak faith and questioning doubts with patience and even granted his request that his brother Aaron assist as helper and spokesman. This in spite of the fact God had assured Moses he would not need Aaron - Exodus 4: 1 - 17. Moses finally went to his father in... Continue reading →