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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Luke 3:1-20 — The importance of ‘baptism for repentance for forgiveness of sin’

The phrase similar to “baptism for repentance for forgiveness of sin” is repeated several times in the Gospels and by Peter in the temple on Shavu’ot (Pentecost). This is not a “warm and fuzzy” message we receive from Yokhanan (John the Baptist). However this isn’t God’s way of finding people inconvenient but a call to true repentance and to become true sons of God.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Galatians 1:10–3:29: God’s declaring believers righteous determines membership in ‘His people’ rather than observance of His law

Galatians in general and chapters 2 and 3 in particular frequently are used to prove that observing the Law isn’t required for believers. However, the discussion of “justification” and “works of [the] law” in this passage reinforces that the real problem was excluding “justified” believers in God and His Messiah from membership in Israel, whose constitution is the Law of God.

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Appointments With God The Eighth Day

The Eighth Day and the gospel of the Kingdom of God

Once in a while it’s good to get back to basics. The “gospel” of the Kingdom of God is more than the life, death and resurrection of the Messiah. Shimini Atzeret, or the Eighth Day (Isaiah 52), is a celebration of salvation, peace, restoration and the reign of God.

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Appointments With God Tabernacles

The gospel according to King David

When we look in the Tanak to find examples of the Messiah, we ususally look to the “good” men in the TaNaK (Torah, Prophets and Writings), men such as Moses, David and Solomon. However, there is an “evil” son of King David whose final hours gives us clues about the life, death and resurrection of the Messiah. The clues of the final hours of Absalom were so important that the Apostles allude to them when teaching and writing about the Gospel to their communities.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Galatians 1:6-9 — What is the ‘different gospel’ addressed in this letter? A look at Ephesians 2-4

We continue to explore the “gospel” that Paul delivered to the Galatians by reading what is recorded of his messages to those congregations and his parallel explanations in letter to other congregations. Today, we explore Ephesians 2-4 and its discussion of the “new man” and “old man.”

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Appointments With God Discussions Pentecost/Shavuot Torah

Journey to the 10 — Exodus 20 — arrival at Sinai and the hearing of the 10 — Shavu’ot

Following in Israel’s footsteps, we have arrived at Sinai. Pretend you are listening to the 10 Commandments for the first time. It’s a challenge to hear them anew. Find a new way to make them a part of your life—to bring yourself even closer to Yeshua than you have ever been before.

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Appointments With God Discussions Passover

Exodus 12 — Israel leaves Egypt for good at the first Passover

The exile of the Israelites in the land of Egypt comes to a climatic end with the 10th plague — the death of the firstborn — and the first Passover, or Pesakh in Hebrew.