Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Seven)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe epistle of Hebrews is so vital to Christians in the first century and now because it explains the unique place and power of Christianity's High Priest.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn Galatians, Paul took issue with the Halakhah, not God's word. Halakhah was a massive collection of human opinion that placed a yoke on its followers.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChrist will empower us, but will not live our lives for us. The marching orders for our pilgrimage derive from God's Word, containing His holy law.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe days, months, and times of Galatians 4:10 do not refer to God's Holy Days (which are not weak or beggarly), but to pagan rites the Galatians came out of.
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.
Do You Believe—Really Believe?
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughNumerous religions claim the Bible as their source of belief, but none of them seems to care that what they do does not square with biblical teaching.
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.
Beware the Leaven
Sermonette by Mike Ford (1955-2021)The Jews establishes a fixed date for Shavuot in contradiction to the instruction for counting to Pentecost. This is part of the leavening of the Pharisees.
God, Obama, and Religous Tolerance
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughPresident Obama endorsed the mosque at Ground Zero, pleading tolerance. Yet God is a jealous God, ordering the extermination of all competing religions.
Hebrews: Its Background (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWhen Hebrews was written, the newly converted Jew to the Way encountered persecution from the established religion and culture similar to what we experience.
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.
Whatever Happened to Gnosticism? Part Three: Satan's Three Heresies
Article by David C. GrabbeWhen Satan confronted Adam and Eve, he fed them three heresies that Gnosticism incorporated into its parasitic philosophy and way of life.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Colossian Christians were criticized by ascetics for the way they were keeping the Sabbath and holy days. Paul argues against a philosophy, not the law of God.
Deceivers and Antichrists (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeJohn's epistles are the only places the term "antichrist" is used. This word has taken on a life of its own, especially within Evangelical Protestantism.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Sixteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRighteousness consists of applying the Law's letter and/or intent. Sin constitutes a failure of living up to the standards of what God defines as right.
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.
Lamentations (Part Seven)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh begins by recapping the first three chapters of the Book of Lamentation: "Woe is me" (Chapter 1), "God did it" (Chapter 2), and "If God is behind it, it must have been good" (Chapter 3). He then focuses on the themes of the chapters 4 and 5. Chapter 4 is a summation of how low God …
Christmas, Syncretism, and Presumption
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMany think keeping Christmas is fine, yet God never tells us to celebrate His Son's birth. Celebrating such an obvious mix of biblical truth and paganism is presumptuous.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn Colossians 2:16 and Galatians 4:9-10, Paul was warning against mixing Gnostic asceticism and pagan customs with the keeping of God's Sabbath and Holy Days.
Passover (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Passover is to be kept on the twilight of the 14th, while the Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the 15th. The Word of God supersedes tradition and heritage.
The More Things Change
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe tend to think of the early Church as a 'golden age' of unity and momentum. But early church members experienced problems similar to what we face today.
Love and Works
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod expects works from all He has called. We show our faithfulness and loyalty to God by our works or conduct - what we produce by what we have been given.
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.