Dr Paul Allen

“ Timothy , my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.” ( 1 Timothy 1:18-19 ) Paul had been entrusted with the gospel of Jesus Christ by Christ Himself (vv. 1, 12-16), and he did not take this fact lightly when it was time to pass on the job of guarding and propagating the truth to others. www.hopecollege.com FOLLOW MY FOOTSTEPS In our text, following his praise to God for giving him such a function, Paul now “charges” Timothy to follow in his footsteps. The word “commit” finds usage in banking vocabulary and implies a deposit of something of great value. Timothy was to continue to teach the valuable, life-changing truth of the gospel in love (v. 5) while guarding the flock against the teaching of false teachers (v. 3). Paul had not found such a re...

Rembrandt's Timothy and his grandmother, 1648. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) A certain disciple was there, named Timothy .… He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium ( Acts 16:1b–2). Having begun his second missionary journey by passing through Syria and Cilicia , Paul now comes to Derbe and Lystra, the cities he visited last on his first journey. He comes to them first on this trip because he is traveling from the east; on his first journey, he came to them from the west and returned the way he came.  He is now beginning to fulfill the stated purpose for his second journey (Acts 15:36). He is also returning to the site of his severest persecution (14:19). Luke has little to say about the churches in these cities. But he records Paul’s encounter with Timothy, who will become his companion and his “true son in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2). Unlike John Mark, with whom Paul would have nothing to do (Acts 15:38), the apostle is impressed by this young m...

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead : And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.” ( 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ) There are many motivating reasons for serving the Lord. One, of course, is His many merciful blessings on our behalf. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God , that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” ( Romans 12:1 ). Then there is the incentive of rewards: “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” ( Revelation 22:12 ). There are also many rewards even in this present life for dedicated Christian service: “ Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” ( 1 Timothy 4:8 ). The great need o...

“For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind .” ( 2 Timothy 1:7 ) The gift spoken of in the previous verse is based on a transfer of authority from God, and we are exhorted to “stir up” that gift ( 2 Timothy 1:6 ) because God did not give us a “spirit of fear.” The word deiliastresses timidity or cowardice, not terror. The gift does not function well if we are too timid to use it. The gift referred to is not power. That spiritual gift comes with dunamis—the innate ability to “do” the gift. Whatever the Holy Spirit has gifted us with upon our entrance into the Kingdom ( 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 ), that gift comes with the power necessary to implement and use it. The gift also comes with love. Again, love is not the gift, it is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit that comes with the gift. Were it not for the reflection in us of the unilateral and sacrificial love of our Redeemer, these supernatural gifts could well be misused, distort...

For Love or Money (1963 film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The love of money is more than dangerous — it’s spiritual suicide. The consistent warning of Scripture is that the people of God better watch their backs when it comes to the allure of financial gain ( Matthew 6:24 ; 1 Timothy 6:10). Earning a stout salary can be a good thing, but what we do with those earnings is all important — and the writer to the Hebrews can help us. In a list of practical exhortations, he writes, Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) This is a simple verse, but the line of argument is astounding. Notice the first two lines. The commands parallel one another: keep your life free from the love of money and be content with what you have. The commands look like different angles on the same posture. We are exhorted to free ourselves from the love of money (and its siren call to acquire more)...

In most cases, it seems that the New Testament pictures a permanent possession of spiritual gifts. The analogy of the parts of the body in 1 Corinthians 12:12–26 fits this, in that the eye does not become a hand, nor does the ear become a foot, but various parts exist in the body permanently. Moreover, Paul says that some people have titles that describe a continuing function. Some people can be called “prophets” or “teachers” (1 Cor. 12:29) or “evangelists” (Eph. 4:11).  We would expect that those people have a permanent possession of the gifts of prophecy, teaching, and evangelism, unless some unusual circumstance would come along which would take that gift away. Similarly, Paul talks in terms of possessing spiritual gifts when he says, “If I have the gift of prophecy” (1 Cor. 13:2 NIV).  And when Paul requires that there be an interpreter present for anyone to speak in tongues (1 Cor. 14:28), he assumes that the church will know whether someone who has the gift ...

"αθεοι" (atheoi), Greek for "those without god", as it appears in the Epistle to the Ephesians on the third-century papyrus known as "Papyrus 46" (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” ( Psalm 19:7-9 ) Most Christians spend little time in the Word of the Lord , and this is a great tragedy. It is the necessary food for health and joy in our spiritual lives. “The sincere milk of the word” ( 1 Peter 2:2 ) is for “newborn babes” and the “strong meat” is for those who are not “unskilful in the word of righteousness” ( Hebrews 5:12-13 ). “Thy words” are also “honey to my mouth” ( Psalm 119:103 ), and “every word that proceedeth out o...

“And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.” ( 2 Kings 22:11 ) This experience of Judah’s good King Josiah illustrates the convicting power of the Scriptures and points up the essential importance of the revealed Word of God in the process of repentance, forgiveness, and salvation . It is the Word of God which brings conviction of one’s need of salvation, and this is the indispensable first step leading to salvation. “For by the law is the knowledge of sin” ( Romans 3:20 ). It is also through the Scriptures that one comes to an understanding of salvation: “The holy scriptures . . . are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus ” ( 2 Timothy 3:15 ). Furthermore, it is the Word which generates saving faith: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” ( Romans 10:17 ). Finally, the very miracle of regeneration, transforming a lost soul into a born-again chil...

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God , a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” ( 2 Timothy 2:15 ) Teaching God’s Word of truth properly and effectively is not play; it is hard work! The command to “study” means, literally, to “labor earnestly.” There are far too many unprepared teachers of the Bible today, not even to mention false teachers. “My brethren, be not many masters [that is, ‘don’t many of you try to be teachers’], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” ( James 3:1 ). A workman who has presented himself for testing, and has then passed the test, is an “approved” workman, and he will certainly have spent much time training in his profession before presuming to make application for a job. In this most important of all vocations, it is vital that the Word be “rightly divided,” for if, when the test comes, he cannot do this, he will “be ashamed” for having the presumption to engage in such a vital occupation witho...

Image via Wikipedia We know that before Paul was born God had set him apart for his apostleship. He who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles . ( Galatians 1:15–16). And we know that Paul became a Christian-hating ( Acts 9:1), Christ -persecuting (Acts 9:5), zealot ( Philippians 3:6; Galatians 1:14) before he was converted. Forever after he would call himself “the chief of sinners” because of these wicked days ( 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:9). We also know that God broke into Paul’s life dramatically and decisively to bring him to faith (Acts 9:3–19). Which means that he could have planned the Damascus Road encounter before Paul imprisoned and murdered Christians . But he didn’t. His purpose, therefore, was to allow Paul to become the “chief of sinners” and then save him, and make him the apostle who would write thirteen books of the New Testame...

Rembrandt - Apostle Paul - WGA19120 (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” ( 1 Timothy 1:5 ) Much of modern, self-oriented Christian preaching and writing has tended to downgrade biblical “ doctrine ” in favor of an emphasis on “love” and “fulfillment,” the “pursuit of happiness,” “sharing and caring,” and other such sentiments. Some popular religious leaders major on “confident living,” “self-improvement,” “personal success,” and the like. Doctrine is thus downgraded in favor of practice, and “works” are considered more important than the Word. But this type of emphasis places the cart before the horse and can never succeed for very long. “Doctrine” is simply “ teaching ,” and true teaching must come from God ’s infallible Word, whether that teaching relates to great divine truths (creation, atonement, sanctification, etc.) or to the daily Christian walk. As the apostle Paul r...

“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” ( 1 Timothy 1:5 ) Much of modern, self-oriented Christian preaching and writing has tended to downgrade biblical “ doctrine ” in favor of an emphasis on “love” and “fulfillment,” the “pursuit of happiness,” “sharing and caring,” and other such sentiments. Some popular religious leaders major on “confident living,” “self-improvement,” “personal success,” and the like. Doctrine is thus downgraded in favor of practice, and “works” are considered more important than the Word. But this type of emphasis places the cart before the horse and can never succeed for very long. “Doctrine” is simply “ teaching ,” and true teaching must come from God ’s infallible Word, whether that teaching relates to great divine truths (creation, atonement, sanctification, etc.) or to the daily Christian walk. As the apostle Paul reminds us, “evil communications corrupt good manners” ( 1 Corint...

English: Icon of Jesus Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” ( 2 Timothy 1:13 ) When Paul wrote to his two young disciples, Timothy and Titus , he stressed again and again the vital importance of maintaining sound doctrine in their churches. “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome [same word as ‘sound’] words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ , and to the doctrine which is according to godliness” ( 1 Timothy 6:3 ; see also 1:10). “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine” ( 2 Timothy 4:3 ). “That he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” ( Titus 1:9 ). “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” ( Titus 2:1 ; also 2:8). If the great apostle was so concerned that his pastoral disciples guard the doctrinal integrity of their first-century churches, he would surely be even more e...

The Exhortation to the Apostles (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) We may live in a culture that believes everyone will be saved, that we are "justified by death" and all you need to do to go to heaven is die, but God 's Word certainly doesn't give us the luxury of believing that. Any quick and honest reading of the New Testament shows that the Apostles were convinced that nobody can go to heaven unless they believe in Christ alone for their salvation ( John 14:6 ; Rom. 10:9–10). Historically, evangelical Christians have largely agreed on this point. Where they have differed has been on the matter of the security of salvation. People who would otherwise agree that only those who trust in Jesus will be saved have disagreed on whether anyone who truly believes in Christ can lose his salvation. Theologically speaking, what we are talking about here is the concept of apostasy. This term comes from a Greek word that means "to stand away from." When we talk abou...