Blog – Page 41 – Grace Evangelical Society

Putting Up Obstacles

May 23, 2024 by Ken Yates in Blog - Luke 11:52, Luke 5:12-16, Luke 5:17-26, Pharisees, scribes, Teachers

Luke 5:17-26 is the passage that tells the story of the paralyzed man who was healed by the Lord when his friends lowered him through the roof. Even though I’ve heard this story many times, I recently noticed something I had previously missed. Luke recounts that there were scribes and Pharisees in the house. I

Did Jesus’ Human Nature Ever Conflict with His Divine Nature?

May 22, 2024 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - dyophysitism, miaphysitism, Monophysitism

Church history defined the orthodox view that the Lord Jesus Christ had two natures: human and divine. However, there are two views of His two natures. (The view that Jesus had but one nature—a divine nature—is called monophysitism.i) Within this theological discourse, some scholars argue that Jesus’ human and divine natures were always in harmony,

The Anger of the Lord Toward His People (Mark 10:14)

May 21, 2024 by Ken Yates in Blog - 1 John 2:28, 2 Cor 5:10, Judgment Seat, Mark 10:13-14, Mark 9:38, Matt 25:14-30, rebuke

I recently had the privilege of being part of a Bible conference on the topic of rewards and the Judgment Seat of Christ. I was speaking on the Parable of the Talents in Matt 25:14-30. This parable is sometimes considered controversial because in it the Lord strongly rebukes one of His servants. As a result,

Are All Believers Overcomers?

May 20, 2024 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - Overcomers, Revelation 2 & 3

Recently I wrote a blog on Rev 3:5 and the question of whether non-overcoming believers will be blotted out of the Book of Life. See here. I received this excellent question about that blog from John: I’m going to add in red what I think Rev 3:5 means: He who overcomes shall be clothed in

It’s the Context, Stupid

May 17, 2024 by Ken Yates in Blog - Hermeneutics, Interpretation

In 1992, Bill Clinton was running for president of the US. At the beginning of the campaign, he faced an uphill battle. George Bush was the president and was very popular following a war in the Middle East. In addition, there were charges of corruption and sexual improprieties in Clinton’s past. His odds of becoming

Does Matthew 6:14-15 Disprove “Once Saved, Always Saved”?

May 16, 2024 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - Salvation and forgiveness

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt 6:14-15). A group of Bible scholars and pastors recently released a free documentary called Once Saved, Always Saved, with the words Always Saved crossed

Saint Lucy

May 15, 2024 by Ken Yates in Blog - Mark 12:41–13:2, religion, superstitions, Temple, Traditions

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Milan, Italy’s Duomo Cathedral–the most impressive building in which I’ve ever been. While there, most of what I heard and read about it was in Italian. I might not have all the facts straight, but I’m pretty sure I got the main points down. Construction of the cathedral

Does God Blot Believers Out of the Book of Life (Rev 3:5)?

May 14, 2024 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - Blotting out from the Book of Life

Pastors and Bible scholars recently produced a documentary film titled Once Saved, Always Saved (see here). They argue that once saved does not guarantee always saved. One of the passages they use to prove that salvation can be lost is Rev 3:5: “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not

GES Regional in Italy

May 13, 2024 by Ken Yates in Blog - John 4:1-14, Matt 7:15-23, regionals

On May 3-5, GES conducted a regional Bible conference at Christian International Fellowship, a church pastored by David Showalter, an American missionary. He and his family have been in Italy for many years. The church is located in Sesto Calende, Italy, which is near Milan. Obviously, the country’s culture is heavily impacted by the Catholic

Is Salvation Unconditional?

May 10, 2024 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - 1 Corinthians 15:2, Galatians 6:7-9

Dave sent me an article (originally a Facebook post) entitled “Salvation Is Not Unconditional” by Dr. Robert Gagnon (see here). Gagnon says that salvation does have a condition. Gagnon’s second paragraph starts out great: “One has to believe the gospel.” If by the gospel he means justification by faith alone (Gal 1:6-9), then he is