Dr Paul Allen

“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?)” ( Ephesians 4:8-9 )   This verse has been controversial but is nonetheless very important. The context is taken from Psalm 68:17-20: “The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: . . . Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: . . . our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death.”   The psalmist is apparently describing the Lord among His heavenly hosts, riding home as a mighty king returning with the spoils of battle. Evidently this battle prize consisted of His own people who had been held captive in an alien land but who now had been captured from the enemy by the returning King. To do this, the King (none other than the Lord Jesus Himself) “ascended up on high,” leading them to His own thron

It’s a familiar scene. Two families, a few college students, and an elderly couple are spread across the couches in the living room. I ask, “Is there anything we can pray for one another?” One student timidly shares about troubles at home between his parents. An older member mentions the sudden death of an old high school friend. Another person shares about woes in searching for a job. After prayer, the small group disperses, and a member pulls me aside to ask for specific prayer for a struggling marriage. Bear Each Other’s Burdens People turn to their churches when they are dealing with difficulties, struggles, and sins. In my experience, I find people are often quick to share what’s troubling them, sometimes even non-churchgoing people. It is our duty and privilege as fellow believers to help one another carry the heavy loads we call life: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ ” (Galatians 6:2). We are not meant to struggle alone in quiet isolat

“And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life .” ( Philippians 4:3 ) Although the word “yokefellow” is out of use today, the meaning is easily understood. Most of us know a yoke is a device that connects two animals together to increase the power for the work that needs to be done. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” ( Matthew 11:29-30 ). From a spiritual perspective, we labor together with the Lord Jesus . Among ourselves, we labor in the gospel. It is worth noting that God sees the marriage bond as “joined together” (same term) with a yoke ( Matthew 19:6 ). Interestingly, as Paul speaks highly of the women who labored with him, he uses two very different concepts to recognize their contribution. First, he

“And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life .” ( Philippians 4:3 ) Although the word “yokefellow” is out of use today, the meaning is easily understood. Most of us know a yoke is a device that connects two animals together to increase the power for the work that needs to be done. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” ( Matthew 11:29-30 ). From a spiritual perspective, we labor together with the Lord Jesus . Among ourselves, we labor in the gospel. It is worth noting that God sees the marriage bond as “joined together” (same term) with a yoke ( Matthew 19:6 ). Interestingly, as Paul speaks highly of the women who labored with him, he uses two very different concepts to recognize their contribution. First, he

Frans Floris - The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Gathering and Protecting Mankind - WGA7949 (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father , and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him . . . he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” ( John 14:8-9 )   Theologians have wrestled with the dual nature of the Lord Jesus since the beginning. On the one hand, there are those who deny or belittle His humanity, and on the other hand, there are those who deny His deity. Both natures are completely true: Jesus is fully human and fully God .   The prophets identified the coming Messiah as fully God. Isaiah 9:6 is the “naming” prophecy that specifies that the Messiah would be called “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace .”  Isaiah  7:14  specifies that “the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel .” Matthew quotes that passage a

Since the letter to the Hebrews specifically urges Christians to "fix your thoughts on Jesus " (Heb. 3:1, NIV ; cf. 12:2), it should not surprise us that the author describes Him in more than a dozen different ways. Jesus is "Son" (Heb. 1:2); "Lord" (Heb. 2:3); "Apostle and High Priest " (Heb. 3:1); "Christ" (Heb. 5:5); "source of eternal salvation " (Heb. 5:9, NIV); a priest "according to the order of Melchizedek " (Heb . 7: 11); a descendent of Judah (Heb . 7: 14); "a Minister ... of the true tabernacle" (Heb. 8:2); "the Mediator of the new covenant" (Heb . 9: 15 ; 12: 24); "the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb. 13:8); and the "great Shepherd of the sheep" (He b.13: 20). But perhaps the most intriguing title for Jesus in the letter is "author." He is called the "author of ... salvation" and the "author ... of our faith" (Heb .

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” ( 1 John 5:11 ) Our text for today contains truths which provide great power and comfort for Christians. Let us reflect on some of them. The word “record” needs amplification. In noun form, it means “the evidence given,” and in verb form it means “testify,” or “witness.” The apostle John used it nine times in verses 7 through 11. Study of our text and its context shows that the record mentioned is none other than the great truth that Christ Jesus was God’s only Son, and that He died as a perfect and fully sufficient sacrifice to provide us life eternal. In our text, we see that this work of bestowing eternal life is God’s work. It is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” ( Titus 3:5 ). This eternal life is our present possession, for He “hath given” it to us (i.e., in the past). This gift is to individuals—to “us”—not to a nation or e

We Repeat to Remember I found this song in the hymnbook of God ’s people, the book of Psalms . What’s the  ad nauseum  line? “For his steadfast love endures forever.” Twenty-five times  we’re reminded of God’s unending love, each time seeing his love in light of his righteous character and mighty deeds. There’s no confusion about which God loves us fully and forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:3) (Give thanks) to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:5) (Give thanks) to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt , for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:10) (Give thanks) to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:16) (Give thanks) to him who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136:17) Apparently, the psalmist thinks it important for God’s peo

The worship of Mammon (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” ( Luke 16:8 ) This parable of the unjust steward has perplexed many Christians , for it seems to indicate that the Lord approved of dishonesty . “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness” (v. 9) also seems to contradict verse 13, when He said, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” The apparent contradiction vanishes, however, when we realize Christ was not commending the dishonesty of the steward, but his acute business sense and concern for the future. Neither does the Lord approve of greed or covetousness , but He does exhort believers to be as prudent in investing their money for the eternal future as shrewd worldlings are in feathering their earthly nests. Sad to say, it is common experience that, by this measure, “the children of this world” do cond

Married Christians love telling single people why they can’t have sex. I can’t say why. But I can say that we singles are left navigating sexual desires that are good and holy, which are nevertheless expressed and experienced by twisted and sinful hearts and minds, souls and bodies. Singles have been given a  one–verse  allowance for thinking about their sexuality: “. . . it is better to marry than to burn with passion” ( 1 Corinthians 7:9). I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God , one of one kind and one of another. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (1 Corinthians 7:7–9) An ancient command, and the scenarios which we face as singles today are arguably more difficult: “Asking unmarried singles to control their sexual impulses for longer and longer periods of time is a fa