The Gospel Of Repentance

The author of this letter  is the same Apostle who wrote the Gospel of John , 2 nd and 3 rd John, along with last book of the Bible, The book of Revelation. It’s easy to see the consistency in style; how the Holy Spirit uses John in this epistle just like he used him in the Gospel of John. This book along with the others were written at the close of the first century according to scholars – around 90-95 A.D. James and John was originally called by Jesus “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). James who was the older brother of John was killed by Herod (Acts 12:2). John was part of the inner-circle-three along with his brother James and Peter. These three are the ones that were eyewitnesses to the transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1). John referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20). The Apostle by this time is an old man providing eye witness testimony to what he has seen, felt and heard (I John 1:1). The reader can rest assured tha

                                           There are four men named James in the New Testament.  James the brother of John the Apostle (Matt 10:2). The disciple James the son Alpheaus also nicknamed James the “less”(Matt 10:3a). James the father of Judas (not Iscariot, Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13)).  James the half brother of Jesus and brother of Jude who’s the author of the book that bears his name (Jude 1). James the brother of John is eliminated because he was martyred by Herod (Acts 12:2). James the “less” was never considered the author neither was James the father of Judas (not Iscariot). That only leaves James the half brother of Jesus. According to scholars this was the earliest N.T. book written, around 49 A.D. James was not a believer in Jesus until after his resurrection (John 7:5; I Corinthians 15:7). The book focuses on practical obedient living. Commands like, “be doers of the word and not hearers only”  is very straightforward (2:24). Another practical insight

In John 2 we read about the wedding at Cana that Jesus, his Mother, and His disciples attended. When the wine ran out Mary said to Jesus, they have no wine (vs. 3). Jesus replied to His Mother, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with me? Mine hour has not yet come.” Vs. 4. I often wondered why Jesus would address His Mother in this way when she asked Him a simple question. Was her question out of line?  On the surface it seems His reply to her was rude and harsh, but was it? The word hour is the Greek word Hora which simply means any period of time. In relation to Jesus, His hour is dealing with His suffering and death. It’s obvious Mary knew that Jesus could meet her request (though she didn't know how) otherwise she would not have asked Him. Mary told the attendants do whatever Jesus tells you (vs. 5).  Mary’s request was simply a temporal matter, to keep the party going – nothing wrong with that. But, it did not fit into Jesus’ mission. Jesus perform

There are many in the church that are staunch opponents of Christians consuming intoxicating beverages; beer, wine, champagne, rum, vodka, margaritas, etc. Drinking because of the propensity of drunkenness is considered sinful and should be avoided at all costs by Christians some will say. It’s considered worldly, a compromise, carnal and pagan. They are also called "Sippin Saints". But, is this assessment fair? Is it actually sinful for believers to drink, even socially? For the record the writer has never drank – a personal choice. I do not condemn believers that do – their choice. What does the bible have to say about it?                                                                 Old Testament The King-Priest Melchizedek offered bread and wine to Abram after he and his men defeated some kings and rescued his nephew Lot (Genesis 14:18). When Jacob lied to his father Isaac and pretended to be his brother Esau so he could steal the double portion bl

The writer does not know how widely this view is held, but there are some who believe when Jesus died, that his spirit went to hell and preached the gospel to the dead. [i] The question then would be if he indeed did this, to whom did he evangelize and why? In 1 Peter 3:18-20 we read this, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison who formerly were disobedient when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is eight souls were saved through water.” The term preached in verse 19 is the Greek work kērussō which means to herald or proclaim. This is not in reference to preaching the gospel which is defined by a different Greek word, euangelizō. The spirits mentioned in verse 19 are not in reference to human spirits, but demon spirits. B