Playlist: Gentiles, Calling of (topic)
Acts (Part Eleven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe conversion of Cornelius is nearly as pivotal as the original Pentecost because the Gentiles are given the same portal of salvation offered to Israel.
Acts (Part Fifteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughActs 15 focuses upon the Council of Jerusalem, discussing the controversial subject of circumcision and its relationship to salvation.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The socio-cultural milieu before the writing of Hebrews created difficulties for the Jewish converts to the Gospel, who were deemed to be traitors.
Acts (Part Twelve)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughPaul and Barnabas developed the church in the cosmopolitan city of Antioch, the location from where the term 'Christian' originated.
Acts (Part Twenty-Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAgrippa was knowledgeable about Jewish customs, so Festus brought him in to hear Paul's case, which lincluded his conversion and ministry.
Acts (Part One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Acts could have been an exculpatory trial document designed to vindicate Paul and the early church, showing that Christianity was not a threat.
Facing Times of Stress: When God is Silent (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPaul demonstrated inner peace during turmoil, showing consistency in times of instability and faith in God during persecution, fulfilling the role God gave him.
Why Is God Doing This, This Way?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We must learn to see ourselves and our function as God sees us—as a distinct, unique entity, a holy people, a special treasure.
The Sovereignty of God (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod has consistently moved His creation toward its ultimate purpose, setting the bounds of nations, motivating rulers to pursue a certain course of action.
Acts (Part Ten)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe martyrdom of Stephen had the paradoxical effect of spreading the Gospel into Gentile venues, enabling individuals like Cornelius to be added to Christ.
Acts (Part Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughOur historical and theological roots are advanced in a polished, chronological narrative (Acts), perhaps designed as a trial document authored by Luke.
Elements of Judgment (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The last days of the Worldwide Church of God demonstrated a dearth of righteous judgment. God expects us to judge wisely within the parameters of His Law.
God Works In Marvelous Ways (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod's highest goal is not salvation, but sanctification into godly character, leading to membership in His family as co-rulers with Jesus Christ.
Acts (Part Sixteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe must always conduct ourselves with the long-term spiritual interests of others in mind, being sensitive to the conscience and scruples of others.
God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEven though the evidence from creation is overwhelming, people deliberately want to disregard it because accepting it would require submitting to His will.
Is America a Christian Nation? (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The founding of the United States and the other nations of modern Israel was not random or accidental, but purposely orchestrated by our Creator.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus qualified as High Priest, teaching us about living by faith in the New Covenant, which mandates that we keep His commandments.
Elements of Judgment (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We dare not 'do away' anything that is part of God's mind, or we will not be in His image. Acts 15 did not give Gentiles exemption from keeping God's Law.
Why Are You Here?
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God, following a pattern, routinely calls the lowly and weak to guard against pride. God will transform the weak of this world through His Holy Spirit.
Is There a True Church?
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughGod's true church cannot be found without revelation nor can one join the organization; God calls and places each member in its appropriate place in the Body.
Why We Observe Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe keep Unleavened Bread because of what God did to bring us out of sin (typified by Egypt). While God compels us to make choices, He is with us all the way.
Is America a Christian Nation? (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Though the United States was not established as a Christian nation, the founding Fathers established a legal system based upon biblical ethical standards.
Unity (Part 2): God's Pattern of Leadership
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod is not the author of confusion, but throughout the scriptures has used a consistent pattern of appointing leaders over His called-out ones.
John (Part One)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJohn presents Jesus, not as a phantom emanation, but as the reality, transcending the shadows represented by the temporal physical life.
The Rest of the Sign of Jonah
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeJonah likely drowned; the great fish was his coffin rather than his prison. While Nineveh repented and was spared, Judah did not repent when Christ preached.
Pentecost and the Book of Ruth
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAlthough many lessons of the book of Ruth allude to Old Covenant teachings, Ruth prefigures New Covenant principles such as mercy, Christ's care, and acceptance.
Matthew (Part Fifteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe commission to the disciples evolves from their initial orders to go to the House of Israel to their ultimate commission of going to the Gentiles.
Hebrews (Part Ten)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughEverything about the Priesthood of Christ is superior to the Levitical system, which only served as a type of the access to God that Jesus would fulfill.
God Works in Marvelous Ways (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Bible contains mysteries (God's invisible activities on our behalf)that have been hidden in plain sight, but made clear by revelation from God's Spirit.
His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Jesus Christ has full control of the church. Everything of consequence, including the development of our character, is engineered by Him.
Faithful Stephen
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsChrist does not want His staff to exercise Gentile patterns of tyrannical, top-down leadership, but to humbly serve people without striving for greatness.
His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We do not need to excessively fear Satan, his demons, or the world, but we should fear and respect the One who has complete involvement in our lives.
Four Views of Christ (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLuke's gospel portrays Christ as the son of man, the high priest of man, and the savior of man, having all the feelings, compassions, and aspirations of man.
John (Part Seventeen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe shepherd and door analogies in John 10 depict the close relationship of Jesus with His flock as the security and stability provided by His protection.
The Covenant of Circumcision
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughCircumcision was the sign God gave Abraham indicating that his descendants would ascend to greatness, acquiring physical and spiritual blessings.
Prosperity's Consequences
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsProsperity is not always an emblem of God's approval. God will not prosper us if it would cause spiritual damage, insulating us from seeking His kingdom.
Patriotism, the Summer Soldier, and Our Times (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn terms of patriotism to God's Kingdom, Jesus set the standard higher than anyone else, sacrificing His life for everyone, even before the Father called them.
God's Will in the End Time
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod does not like to inflict punishment on people, but because of sin, He is obligated to correct. But as quickly as God punishes, God restores and heals.
History of the Church
Sermonette by Gary GarrettThe honor roll of faith in Hebrews 11, suggests that the 31 AD dispersal of God's Holy Spirit was in fact merely a continuation of a much older distribution.
Examining God's Judgments
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe fall holy days picture various judgments by God, bringing about liberty, reconciliation, regathering, and restoration.
Of One Accord
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughConfusion and separation have been man's legacy since Eden. Christ is working to put an end to division, enabling us to be one with the Father and each other.
Elements of Motivation (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEternal life, emphasizing a special intimate relationship with God the Father and Christ, is vastly different from immortality, connoting only endless existence.