FSBC Hawthorne

Boomerang Express Vacation Bible School

2009-06-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

Boomerang Express

Vacation Bible School

JULY 13-17

Grades 1-6 5p-8p

Join First Southern Baptist Church as we hop on board the Boomerang Express as VBS 2009 takes a train ride across the Land Down Under! As kids wind their way through Australia, they'll discover the vastness of God's love, and they'll learn that no matter where they go or what they do in life—it all comes back to Jesus.

Click Here To Register Your Student

"God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him." 1 John 4:9

Sermon Audio Working Again

2009-04-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note that Sermon Audio is again Online at fsbchawthorne.com!

Regardless of who wins

2008-11-05T10:35:00.000-08:00

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, Jesus will still be King.
True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, our responsibilities as Christians will not have changed one iota.
True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the greatest agent for social change in America will still be winning the hearts and minds of men and women through the gospel, not legislation.
True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my primary citizenship will still be in this order - (1) the Kingdom of God, (2) America, not vice-versa.
True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the tomb will still be empty.
True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the cross, not the government, will still be our salvation.
True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, our children will still be more concerned with whether or not we spend time with them than with who is President.
True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my neighbor will still be my neighbor, and loving him/her will still be the second greatest commandment. (Do you know the first?)
True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the only way to see abortion ultimately overturned will still be winning men and women to a high view of life through the gospel of Christ.
True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the only way to see gay marriage ultimately defeated will still be winning men and women to a biblical view of marriage through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my retirement will still not match my treasure in Heaven.
True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, "Jesus Is Lord" will still be the greatest truth in the Universe.
True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, we will still know that God is in control.

How Many Gods Does God Say There Are?

2008-10-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

In our sermon from Matthew 11:20-25 this past week we considered what the bible had to say about other religions and gods. Here are some of the Scripture pertaining to this discussion.

Scriptures that show there is only one God

Exodus 20:2-3: "I am the Lord your God.... You shall have no other gods before me."
Exodus 34:14: "Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."
Deuteronomy 4:35: "You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other."
Deuteronomy 4:39: "Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other."
Deuteronomy 6:4-5: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
Deuteronomy 32:39: "See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me."
1 Samuel 2:1-2: "My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high.... There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God."
2 Samuel 7:22: "How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears."
2 Samuel 22:32: "For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?"
2 Kings 19:15-19: "Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: `O Lord, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God. It is true, O Lord, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by men's hands. Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.'...
Psalm 18:30-31: "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.... For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?"
Psalm 83:18: "Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord — that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.": "Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord — that you alone are the Most High over all the earth."
Isaiah 43:10, 13: "`You are my witnesses,' declares the Lord, `and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.... Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?'"
Isaiah 44:6-8: "This is what the Lord says — Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come — yes, let him foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.": "This is what the Lord says — Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come — yes, let him foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."
Isaiah 44:24: "This is what the Lord says — your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself.": "This is what the Lord says — your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself."
Isaiah 45:5-6: "I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other."
Isaiah 45:18: "For this is what the Lord says — he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited — he says: `I am the Lord, and there is no other.'": "For this is what the Lord says — he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited — he says: `I am the Lord, and there is no other.'"
Isaiah 45:21-22: "Declare what is to be, present it — let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the Lord? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me.": "Declare what is to be, present it — let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the Lord? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me."
Isaiah 46:9: "Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me."
Hosea 13:4: "But I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior but me."
Malachi 2:10: "Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us?"
Matthew 4:9-10: "`All this I will give you,' he said, `if you will bow down and worship me.' Jesus said to him, `Away from me, Satan! For it is written: `Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
Matthew 19:17: "`Why do you ask me about what is good?' Jesus replied. `There is only One who is good.'"
Matthew 23:8: "But you are not to be called `Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers."
Mark 10:18: "`Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. `No one is good — except God alone.'": "`Why do you call me good?' Jesus answered. `No one is good — except God alone.'"
Mark 12:32-34: "`Well said, teacher,' the man replied. `You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.' When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, `You are not far from the kingdom of God.'"
Luke 1:49: "For the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name.": "For the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name."
John 5:42-44: "I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me: but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?"
John 17:3: "This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
Romans 3:29-30: "Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God."
Romans 16:27: "To the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen."
1 Corinthians 8:4-6: "So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many `gods' and many `lords'), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live."
Galatians 3:19-20: "The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one."
Ephesians 4:6: "One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
1 Timothy 1:17: "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Timothy 2:5: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 6:13-16: "In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this commandment without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time — God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.": "In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this commandment without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time — God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen."
James 2:19: "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder.": "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder."
James 4:12: "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy."
Jude 25: "To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."

The Lord of the Sabbath

2008-09-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

This weeks Sermon is now avalible online Listen Here!!!
Mark 2:23-3:6 - The Lord of the Sabbath

Outline

*Summary of 2:23-3:6
*God's Rest at Creation
*The Sabbath Command of Isreal
*The New Covenent Rest in Jesus

WWJD?

2008-09-12T13:07:00.000-07:00

Mark 2:13-17

What kind of people did Christ hang out with? Why did he choose to spend time with them? For what reason did he spend time? All this and more is discussed in last weeks sermon Jesus a Friend to Sinners... If you missed it click here to listen.

Is there really still persecution?

2008-09-02T20:45:00.000-07:00

Is there really still persecution?

This was a questions someone asked me a few weeks ago after preaching and mentioning how easy we have it as Christians in America. Well the answer is Yes! In fact I want to post a article written by Phil Johnson about a situation in India. Please read and pray!

Day 1
http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2008/08/pray-for-india.html

Day 2
http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2008/09/some-background-on-india-violence.html

Applying “Two Kinds of Faith” Creativity

2008-09-01T21:27:00.000-07:00

Applying “Two Kinds of Faith”
Creativity

In last weeks message we highlighted the Love and Faith of the friends of the paralytic. 3 characteristics stood out as we looked at their love and faith it was Persistent, Creative, and Sacrificial. These 3 attributes show the Glory of God an a significant way and often our Persistence, Creativity and Sacrifice are efforts God is pleased to bless. Let us examine the great examples of believers before us and may God use there testimony to stir us on to a stronger love for others and faith in God.

Now this is one that we have to be careful with by creative I am not referring to trends or models for the church. There is much of this going on today that is labeled “creative” that has no place in a New Testament Church. What I want us to focus not on image but content. The type of creativity that we need to foster is creativity for sharing the gospel not creatively altering it. Let me explain by way of examples that I have seen or heard of to shape this thought.

I once knew a man who loved to fish, he decided to begin inviting non-believers with him on trips for the expressed purpose of talking to them about the Gospel. He used a activity that he enjoyed in a way to influence the kingdom.

One man who worked in a large city would often skip his lunch for the purpose of meeting someone new to build a gospel relationship with.

A ladies scrap booking party can be a great way to build these relationships.

Another friend I had went to the gym to make friends with people he could share the gospel with.

I could go on and on but I think you have the idea... Are we seeking to be creative in ministering to others... In building friendships for the expressed purpose of sharing the gospel... Imagine if you would if every one in our church sought God's leading to connect with people out side of the church in some creative fashion using the gifts talents and desires that God has already placed in them what kind of influence we could have in Hawthorne. Would you begin to pray how God can use you in a new and Creative way.

Applying “Two Kinds of Faith” Persistence

2008-09-01T14:46:00.001-07:00

Applying “Two Kinds of Faith”
Persistence

When I think of persistence in ministry the first person I think of is David Brainard. A young man who was one of the first missionaries to the American Indians. His short ministry was filled with sickness, depression, hard travel, and very little immediate results. He died at age 29 and those who followed in his ministry saw an amazing awaking of the American Indians because of the persistence he had in sharing the gospel with them.

David Brainerd:

Missionary to the American Indians in New York, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania. Born in Connecticut in 1718, he died of tuberculosis at the age of twenty-nine in 1747. Jonathan Edwards preached the funeral sermon and published the diary which David had kept.
By almost every standard known to modern missionary boards, David Brainerd would have been rejected as a missionary candidate. He was tubercular — died of that disease at twenty-nine — and from his youth was frail and sickly. He never finished college, being expelled from Yale for criticizing a professor and for his interest and attendance in meetings of the "New Lights," a religious organization. He was prone to be melancholy and despondent.

Yet this young man, who would have been considered a real risk by any present-day mission board, became a missionary to the American Indians and, in the most real sense, "the pioneer of modern missionary work." Brainerd began his ministry with the Indians in April, 1743, at Kannameek, New York, then ministered in Crossweeksung and Cranberry (near Newark), New Jersey. These were the areas of his greatest successes.

Brainerd's first journey to the Forks of the Delaware to reach that ferocious tribe resulted in a miracle of God that preserved his life and revered him among the Indians as a "Prophet of God." Encamped at the outskirts of the Indian settlement, Brainerd planned to enter the Indian community the next morning to preach to them the Gospel of Christ. Unknown to him, his every move was being watched by warriors who had been sent out to kill him. F.W. Boreham recorded the incident:

But when the braves drew closer to Brainerd's tent, they saw the paleface on his knees. And as he prayed, suddenly a rattlesnake slipped to his side, lifted up its ugly head to strike, flicked its forked tongue almost in his face, and then without any apparent reason, glided swiftly away into the brushwood. "The Great Spirit is with the paleface!" the Indians said; and thus they accorded him a prophet's welcome.

That incident in Brainerd's ministry illustrates more than the many Divine interventions of God in his life — it also illustrates the importance and intensity of prayer in Brainerd's life. Believe it — Brainerd prayed! Read the Life and Diary of David Brainerd. On page after page one reads such sentences as:
Wednesday, April 21 ...and God again enabled me to wrestle for numbers of souls, and had much fervency in the sweet duty of intercession...
Lord's Day, April 25. This morning I spent about two hours in secret duties and was enabled more than ordinarily to agonize for immortal souls. Though it was early in the morning and the sun scarcely shined at all, yet my body was quite wet with sweat...
Saturday, December 15. Spent much time in prayer in the woods and seemed raised above the things of this world...
Monday, March 14 ...in the morning was almost continually engaged in ejaculatory prayer...
Thursday, August 4. Was enabled to pray much, through the whole day...
Thursday, November 3. Spent this day in secret fasting, and prayer, from morning till night...
Suffice it to say, it is not surprising to read then of the miraculous interventions of God on Brainerd's behalf, and of the mighty ministry and the unbelievable revivals he experienced among the iniquitous, idolatrous Indians in those short years. A volume such as this prohibits more than only mere mention of some of those supernal, supernatural scenes: "I have now baptized, in all, forty-seven persons of the Indians. Twenty-three adults and twenty-four children...Through rich grace, none of them as yet have been left to disgrace their profession of Christianity by any scandalous or unbelieving behavior" (Nov.. 20, 1743). What pastor or evangelist reading this can say the same?
Lord's Day, December 29 ...After public worship was over, I went to my house, proposing to preach again after a short season of intermission. But they soon came in one after another; with tears in their eyes, to know, "what they should do to be saved..." It was an amazing season of power among them, and seemed as if God had "bowed the heavens and come down..." and that God was about to convert the whole world.

His Diary and Journal are a brim with ministries and miracles that were akin to the acts of the Apostles. The Life and Diary of David Brainerd ought to be read — and read often — by God's people. It will do something for you spiritually. You will be convicted, challenged, changed, charged. It has had life-transforming effect upon many, motivating them to become missionaries, evangelists, preachers, people of prayer and power with God.

Brainerd died in 1747 in the home of Jonathan Edwards. His ministry to the Indians was contemporary with Wesley, Whitefield and Edwards as they ministered to the English-speaking people during the period called in English and American history, the "Great Awakening." Brainerd's centuries-spanning influence for revival is positive proof God can and will use any vessel, no matter how fragile and frail, if it is only sold out to souls and the Saviour!

If you are intreasted in reading more about David Brainered I reccomend: The Life and Diary of David Brainerd, http://www.amazon.com/Life-Diary-David-Brainerd/dp/0801009766

There is also a very good (long) biography by John Piper at: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Biographies/1461_Oh_That_I_May_Never_Loiter_On_My_Heavenly_Journey/

35 Reasons Not To Sin

2008-08-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here is a good article I found by Jim Elliff at Christian Communuicators Worldwide....

1. Because a little sin leads to more sin.

2. Because my sin invites the discipline of God.

3. Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.

4. Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.

5. Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.

6. Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.

7. Because I am doing what I do not have to do.

8. Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.

9. Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.

10. Because my sin saddens the godly.

11. Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.

12. Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.

13. Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.

14. Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.

15. Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.

16. Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.

17. Because my sin may influence others to sin.

18. Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.

19. Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.

20. Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.

21. Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.

22. Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.

23. Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.

24. Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.

25. Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.

26. Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.

27. Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.

28. Because my sin is adultery with the world.

29. Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.

30. Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.

31. Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.

32. Because to sin is not to love Christ.

33. Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.

34. Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it's own.

35. Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life.

On the Same Note: Consider this quote from Puritan Richard Baxter:

Use sin as it will use you; spare it not, for it will not spare you; it is your murderer, and the murderer of the whole world. Use it, therefore, as a murderer should be used; kill it before it kills you; and though it brings you to the grave, as it did your head, it shall not be able to keep you there. You love not death; love not the cause of death.

Would we fight to kill sin, and rest in the forgivness of Christ

Additional Resources from Sundays Sermon...

2008-08-27T12:52:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post a few resources to go with this past weeks sermon from Mark 1:40-45.

Here is the message to listen to online (Audio is poor we are working on getting the bugs worked out) http://www.fsbchawthorne.com/multipage.php?id=2526&

Or listen to it here

Get this widget

Track details

eSnips Social DNA

Here are some articles on Leprosy for any interested. As you read think about how we are all spiritual lepers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leprosy
http://www.studylight.org/enc/isb/view.cgi?number=T5483

And here are some articles concerning Joel Osteen

http://whitehorseinn.org/osteenpage.htm

Remember to subscribe to email alerts for the blog so you don't miss updates. Click Here to subscribe! http://www.feedburner.com/fb/a/emailverifySubmit?feedId=2371494&loc=en_US

60th Anniversary FSBC

2008-08-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday First Baptist of Hawthorne celebrated our 60th Anniversary. We where the first Southern Baptist Church in the state of Nevada. We have helped start over 45 churches in our area. Formers pastor Tom Bacon spoke to us on Sunday morning and former pastor Jerry Jones spoke Sunday evening. Click below to hear Sunday morning's Message. My prayer is that we may not rest on the past but continue to grow and serve Christ faithfully for another 60 years! - Pastor Bob

Click the Play Button Below to listen to Pastor Bacon's Message

Get this widget

Track details

eSnips Social DNA

The Inspired Word of God = BIBLE

2008-07-31T15:59:00.000-07:00

I am currently working on my NANC certification for Biblical Counseling and part of the process is a exam on Theology. I wanted to share this answer I have written as I am often asked by people this very question "how is it that the Bible is inspired." This is one of the most fundamental doctrines because all other doctrines hang upon whether the Bible is truly God's word.

Q. The Bible is spoken of as “inspired.” What does this mean?

A. Inspiration in reference to the Bible points to the truth that the Bible's authorship is ultimately from God. The Bible from beginning to end, claims to be the inspired word of God, the revelation of His will to man. Paul wrote to Timothy, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16). The word “inspiration” literally means “breathed into by God,” or “God breathed.” This means that the Holy Spirit exercised a supernatural influence over the Bible writers so that they would communicate to man exactly what God wanted communicated to him. Because of this, the Bible writers wrote without error in all areas, including morality, history, and science. Bible inspiration is not be limited to one area, such as morality or doctrine.

The Bible writers were conscious that they were not speaking of their own accord, but were speaking for God. Peter wrote, “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21). Samuel said, “The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; his word is on my tongue.” (2 Samuel 23:2). Jeremiah said, “Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.” (Jeremiah 1:9). Thus the writers claim plenary (full), verbal (the actual words) inspiration. They spoke the very word that God commanded.

Jesus spoke of the written word when He said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18). Jesus indicated that even the smallest parts of the letters of the written word had to be fulfilled. Jesus could not have made such a statement if He had not understood that God inspired the very words of scripture, not just general thoughts.

God did not just dictate the words of scripture to the Bible writers, however. Each writer under inspiration used his own vocabulary and style of writing. Thus Luke, a physician, used medical terms in his account of the ministry of Christ. Inspiration allowed each writer to avoid error, even as he used his own vocabulary and style. This did not make the writers incapable of sinning, but simply protected them from error in what they wrote and taught. Even as an apostle, Peter erred in his treatment of his Gentile brethren (Galatians 2:11-14). The epistles of Peter are still inspired and authoritative, however.

Enemies of Scripture have claimed the Bible is full of errors, but the Bible has stood the test of time, and no one has ever been able to document any contradiction between the Bible and known fact. This is because the Bible is not the product of human reason, but of the inspiration of God.

**************************************************************

Now why we are on the subject I want to share with everyone an new Study Bible forthcoming that I am very excited about. The English Standard Version Study Bible will come available October 15, 2008. This is a translation that I have come to love, and the team who are contributing to the study bible are top notch theologians and pastors. I encourage everyone to check it out, and if you pre-order now you can get a substantial discount at amazon.com. And for anyone feeling extremely generous this is on my wish list (the Uber-Study-Bible).