What Does The Word Gospel Mean?

 The word gospel literally means good news.  The good news is that Jesus Christ came to save his people from theirs sins by his life, death, and resurrection.  

The term gospel has background in the Old Testament in passages such as Isaiah 40:9 and Isaiah 52:7-10.  The word gospel was also in use in the Roman world referring to glad tidings that would lead to well being.  

The truly good news is found only in Jesus.  Salvation is by God's grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.  

(Mark 1:1)"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." (ESV) 

(Romans 1:16)"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (ESV)  

Proverbs 29:27 (Short Commentary)

 (Proverbs 29:27)"An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked." (ESV) 

There is an antithesis between believers and unbelievers.  The lifestyle and beliefs of the wicked are detestable to the righteous.  While the lifestyle and beliefs of the righteous are detestable to the wicked.  The righteous are those who have true faith in God, and the wicked are those who are in rebellion against God.   

America's Most Important Theologian, Jonathan Edwards

 Many regard Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) as the most important theologian in American history.  Edwards was a pastor, theologian, and philosopher.  He was a brilliant man who entered Yale at the age of 13.  Jonathan Edwards was one of the most prominent figures of the Great Awakening in the 1730's and 1740's.  He was pastor of Northampton Church, a missionary to American Indians, and president of Princeton College.  

Jonathan Edwards grandfather, father, father-in-law, a son, and several grandsons were all ministers.  He was also the grandfather of the third vice president of the United States, Aaron Burr.  Jonathan Edwards married Sarah Pierrepont in 1727.  The couple had 11 children.  

Jonathan Edwards wrote several books including, "Religious Affections" and "Freedom Of The Will." In Religious Affections he dealt with issues of true religious experience and true Christian conversion.  In Freedom Of The Will he dealt with the issue of divine sovereignty and human responsibility.  

Jonathan Edwards most famous sermon was "Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God." He was a Reformed Christian theologian with a high view of God and the Bible.  Edwards has been referred to as the Last Puritan.  Many of his works are now available in modern English.   

Who Was Melito?

 Melito of Sardis was a bishop who lived around A.D. 170.  He was a well known writer of many books, most of which have not survived.  Melito was a Christian apologist who wrote a defense addressed to Marcus Aurelius, who was Roman emperor from A.D. 161-180.  

Melito provides us with our earliest known Christian list of Old Testament books.  His list of books is very close to the Protestant Old Testament we have today.  Much of the information we have about Melito of Sardis is provided by the early church historian, Eusebius (A.D. 260-339).  

What Does The Word Hallelujah Mean?

 The term hallelujah is an expression of praise.  It means Praise the Lord or Praise Yahweh or more precisely Praise Yah.  Psalms 146-150 are sometimes called the Hallelujah Psalms.  In the New Testament hallelujah is found in Revelation 19.  

(ESV) (Psalm 150:1)"Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens!" 

(LSB) (Psalm 150:1)"Praise Yah! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse."  

(CSB) (Psalm 150:1)"Hallelujah! Praise God in his sanctuary.  Praise him in his mighty expanse."  

What Is The Greatest Commandment?

 (Matthew 22:36-40)"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?  And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (ESV) 

A lawyer or scribe asked Jesus what is the great or most important commandment?  Jesus responded by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.  This passage is also found in Mark 12:28-33.  

We are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind.  This means we are to love God with our entire being and be totally devoted to him.  We are also to love our neighbor.  This means we are to care for other people and to want what is best for them.  

Love God, Love people.   

Romans 12:9 (Short Commentary)

 (Romans 12:9)"Let love be genuine.  Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." (ESV) 

This verse can be called the mark of a Christian.  Love is to be authentic, not hypocritical.  Love seeks the good of the other person, it is not self centered.  True love hates what is evil and clings to what is good. 

Good is that which aligns with the character and law of God.  Evil is that which opposes the character and law of God.