Having given an account of his conduct concerning his accountability to the second table of the commandments, Job now looks at his awareness of the accountability set forth in the first table. He claims that he has avoided idolatry (24-28). Job, though he had great possessions, did not give his trust even to the most precious of these. Again, he showed an insight that is emphasized by Jesus when he told of a man that had great wealth; this man spoke to himself and said “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “Fool! Th ..read more

  Many Christians think all sins are the same. Have you ever heard that before? Imagine someone commits a horrible crime. Let’s say, for example, a man murders his whole family. And when the community hears about it, they’re outraged. But then imagine that some Christians say, “We need to remember that we’re all sinners.” “We all deserve to go to hell.” “None of us is really different from the murderer.” But is it true that all people are equally sinful? If someone has sinful anger in his heart, but never acts on it, is that person really the same as someone who has sinful anger in his h ..read more

  Job claims honesty in all his dealings with others (31:5-8). Job now begins a series of possible conditions that would justly bring about divine judgment on him – “If I have walked with falsehood . . . If my step has turned aside from the way.” About seventeen sections begin with “If I have . . .” Sometimes, these “If” clauses contain more than one conceived action. They are followed by what Job would consider a just consequence of retribution. He is setting out in a clear and candid way the propositions of the accepted sin-and-punishment code of the day. He is letting those know who wi ..read more

  My name is John Zacchio Jr., and I am married to my wonderful wife Faith Zacchio. Together, we are raising 2 beautiful children (Josiah & Maeve) while we await the arrival of our third baby boy, Owen. We live in Southern California, in San Diego County, where I serve as a pastor of Faith Community Church, Carlsbad. This summer I am graduating with my M.A. in Theological Studies and I want to express how thankful I am thankful I am for my education at CBTS. I have the privilege of Pastoring alongside other elders in our church through leading the music ministry, facilitating disciple ..read more

    Here in the finale of Job’s last appeal for a hearing with God, he lays out his case that he is willing to plead with this all-powerful being that seems to be his adversary. He laments the loss of former days of favor with God and man (Job 29:1-11) He was an oracle of wisdom and a power for righteousness and justice (29:12-17). He sensed that all his days would be filled with renewed and increasing security, prosperity, health, and strength (29:18-20). The regard given him by people was of implicit trust and virtually self-evident truthfulness of insight. “After my words they did ..read more

    Either have enough theological-political debates or read enough modern, scholarly treatments on Romans 13:3–4, and you will inevitably encounter the argument that the divinely inspired text does not teach what the civil magistrate ought to do but only a description by Paul of the Roman government of Paul’s day (AD 56–58). In other words, some teach that Rom 13:3–4 is not prescriptive apostolic teaching for the civil magistrate but rather descriptive teaching of Paul’s day. Consider Robert Jewett’s words from his Romans commentary, “Romans 13:1-7 was not intended to create the fou ..read more

  Is Church Membership Biblical?  As soon as a person comes to faith in Christ, that person automatically becomes a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13), the universal Church (Eph 5:23-27). But the New Testament also teaches that all believers must be baptized and become members of particular local churches where everyone in the church agrees to receive instruction from God’s Word (1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 4:2), edify one another by means of their respective spiritual gifts (Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:4-31; 1 Pet 4:10-11), participate in the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Lk 2 ..read more

*Editors Note: This article was originally written and published on the CBTS blog in 2015. Due to its usefulness, it is being republished now (2024). As we consider the biblical teaching on this subject, I want you to consider with me the purpose of the amen, the proof for the amen and the practicality of the amen.   I. The Purpose of the Amen What does it mean? The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says:  “The  derivative ‘men’ “verily” is carried over into  the New Testament in the word amen which is our English word “amen.” Jesus used the word frequently (M ..read more

  To the ancient mind, the unattended sheep would be seen with the same horror as we would view an unattended child.  The world of the sheep was dangerous. Some would seek to destroy and consume the sheep. The sheep found protection in the midst of the flock, but especially under the watchful gaze of a loving and attentive shepherd. Christ’s sheep live in a world filled with predatory men and ministries.  False prophets propagating a false gospel abounded in the day of the apostles and the warning sounded that such would always be the case. Zechariah addresses the dangers of fal ..read more

  What are some essential aspects of pastoral ministry? Much of what passes for pastoral ministry today is nothing other than the application of philosophies and methods of corporate America in the church. Too many pastors think of themselves as doing their jobs, and they don’t think of themselves as God’s men who are called to a whole-life pastoral ministry among God’s beloved people. But I would suggest that the following five aspects of biblical pastoral ministry are absolutely essential.   1. A Pastor Watches Himself True pastoring always begins with personal holiness. In 1 Timo ..read more