Neonatal Circumcision in America
Commentary by Charles WhitakerThe prevalence and demographic distribution of neonatal circumcision in America make the United States stand-out among other Israelite nations.
Lessons from New Zealand Circumcisions
Commentary by Charles WhitakerThe marked decline in circumcision in New Zealand during the 20th century attests to the power of governments over their citizens in socialized environments.
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.
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe yoke grievous to bear (Acts 15:10) was not God's law, but an entire package of Pharisaic regulations that had been elevated to the level of God's law.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe New Covenant was designed by God to circumcise the heart, making it possible for God's laws to be written in our hearts and reflected in our behavior.
Why We Must Put Out Leaven
Article by Earl L. Henn (1934-1997)Why must we put leaven out, yet we do not have to circumcise our boys? Earl Henn explains this apparent contradiction.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Fifteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThings written in the Old Testament were written for us. The differences in the covenants focus on justification and access to God, not doing away with the law.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe yoke of bondage Paul refers to in Galatians was a combination of the code of regulations added by the Pharisees and Gnostic ritualism, not God's Law.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCircumcision is a token, sign, or seal that one was the heir of Abraham. No physical sign has the power to transfer righteousness to the doer.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Hebrews' audience consisted of converts from Judaism, suffering estrangement from family and community, excommunicated from the temple.
Elements of Judgment (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe need to learn to judge in a godly manner, putting merciful restraints on our tendency to condemn or jump to conclusions. One size does not fit all.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Book of Hebrews is a must-read for all members of God's church who seek the key for spiritual growth through a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Two): The Old Covenant
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod made the New Covenant because Jacob's offspring did not have what it took to fulfill the terms of the Old Covenant. The carnal mind is hostile to God's law.
'Done Away' Is Incorrect
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughProtestantism alleges that God's law is 'done away.' What Scripture shows, though, is that some aspects are not required presently, but God's law is eternal.
Hebrews (Part One): The Stage Is Set
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughEarly converts from Judaism claimed to accept the Law but had difficulty accepting the Lawgiver. Today, many claim to accept Christ, but will not accept His Law.
The Law's Purpose and Intent
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe effectiveness of a law is found in its purpose and intent rather than the letter. Love and mercy constitute the spiritual fulfillment of the Law.
Elements of Judgment (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe 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.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA summary of the Covenants, Grace, and Law series, reiterating the differences in the Covenants and the respective places of grace and law in God's purpose.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughParts of God's law are not presently required, yet not 'done away." Paul took a vow that required animal sacrifice. Ezekiel 34-48 shows the sacrificial law observed.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Eight)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHebrews emphasizes that spiritual growth and glorification depends on an individual's relationship with Christ, the centerpiece of the Book of Hebrews.
Elements of Judgment (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, fearing that we may be following suit in the world's religions by focusing on "getting salvation" rather than preparing for service in God's Kingdom, cautions us that we must re-orient our mindset, seeking to grow in the stature of Christ. Many mainstream religions believe that much of the …
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 6)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChrist emphasizes that the internal, weightier matters, which change the heart, take precedence over external ceremonial concerns that don't change the heart.
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh stresses that God esteems certain spiritual qualities above other spiritual qualities. To elevate a minor regulation above a major regulation is to spiritually lose ones sense of proportion. The attribute of love (I Corinthians 13:13) supercedes (but not negates) all other spiritual gifts or qualities. There are …
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Seven)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe socio-cultural milieu before the writing of Hebrews created difficulties for the Jewish converts to the Gospel, who were deemed to be traitors.
Paul's Letter to Titus (Part 1)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins suggests that the Pastoral Epistles, emphasizing order, conduct, and appointing sound-minded leaders, generally had more to do with practical matters than with doctrine, focusing upon spiritual principles rather than physical ritual. Paul, for example, suggested that circumcision of the heart or spiritual …
Choosing the New Man (Part Two)
Article by Charles WhitakerThe spiritual new man is one who is reconciled to God and has chosen to collaborate with Him in creating a totally new mind—one just like Christ's!
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 5)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe major issue in the Acts 15 decision was not doing away with God's law, but seeking a theological solution to the problem of circumcision and the Pharisaical misconception that it was a recipe for salvation. Within the context of this decision, both Paul and the Gentile converts faithfully continued to keep God's laws. In our …
Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Four)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughWe often spend so much time engaged in our present-day trials that we fail to understand and learn from the experiences of Christians of the past.
Abraham (Part 8)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIf we surrender to God, allowing Him to shape character in us, He will enable us to live in hope, giving us direct access to Him, giving us a more abundant life.
Acts (Part 15)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughAfter explaining the context in which Paul advocated going from house to house, John Ritenbaugh reiterates that Paul, who understands clearly that God alone calls (John 6:44), makes his initial contact with non-believers in public places (synagogue and forum), going later to private dwellings by invitation only. Chapter 15 …
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, reminding us that Jesus handpicked the twelve apostles for a specific work, notes that there is a strong possibility that God has also handpicked each one of us to fulfill a particular role in the Body. Like an engineer on a building project, Jesus Christ has constructed a blueprint with detailed specifications. …
Deuteronomy's Major Themes
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughDeuteronomy is the heart of the Old Testament, with its words throughout the New Testament, providing a foundation of doctrine and an outline for entering God's Kingdom.
