The church owes a debt to the synagogue in many areas: The church is a debtor to the Synagogue for the idea of “canon,” the concept of sacred authoritative Scripture to rule and guide in all areas of one’s life. In the early synagogue the Scripture was employed in four ways each of which has…

“I am come that they might have life” (John 10:10). Beloved, We have been given a great gift, namely the gift of life! “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). By virtue of…

To say Christians owe a debt to the Jew is an understatement. The foundation upon which New Testament faith rests is the Hebrew Bible. The Tenach, or the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), is comprised of three major divisions. Torah the five books of Moses; Nevi’im the Prophets and Ketuvim the Writings. All that Christians hold…

Metamorphosis Factor   JOHN Chapter Seven Last Six Months of the Lord’s Life on Earth. Between verses one and two of chapter seven a most incredible episode took place. John mentions it in chapter 1:14, “…We (Peter, James, and John) beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace…

“And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death” (Genesis 24:67). This is a peculiar verse. What does it mean “Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death”? What void did Rebekah fill? What was so…

“He made the stars also” (Genesis 1:16). What an awesome thought to ponder as you consider the billions of stars that exist. These five words reflect the sovereign creative ability of God (Hebrew, “Elohim”, making reference to His majestic power). The phrase, “He made the stars also,” is like an after-thought, “Oh, by the way,…

The name “New Jerusalem” is found twice in Scripture (Rev. 3:12; 21:2). It is believed that the New Jerusalem will be inhabited by the Church. John was told that he would be shown the bride, the Lamb’s wife in Revelation 21:9, and he was shown the city, the New Jerusalem in 21:10,11. This city was…

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God” (Micah 6:8). This verse reflects what some call the “Jewish Golden Rule” and is termed “Halakah”. Halakah is the quintessential characteristic of Judaism.1…

“I will bless them that bless thee…” (Genesis 12:3).  Jewish life is replete with “berakhot” – blessings. Blessings for food & wine. Blessings for smelling fragrant oils, fruits & plants. Blessings for sight & hearing and so forth. Perhaps the most intriguing blessing is the “Birkat Kohanim,” or the “Priestly Blessing” sometimes called “Aarons’ Blessing.”…

Stone Structures Walking down the alleyway from my apartment heading towards the main intersection I was struck once again with unique diversity of Jerusalem. The crescent moon was rising as Shabbat ended and the city began to wake up. I have been to Jerusalem several times now and I attempted to paused and look at…