Springwater Ministries

06/05/2026

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗝𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗦 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗛 (𝗘𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟰:𝟵)?
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Paul mentions Jesus’ descent into the “lower parts of the earth” in 𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟰. The passage reads, “Now this, ‘He ascended’—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things” (𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟰:𝟵–𝟭𝟬, 𝗡𝗞𝗝𝗩). The meaning of “the lower parts of the earth” is open to various interpretations.

The focus of 𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟰 is unity in the body of Christ. To maintain unity and peace within the church, believers must “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟰:𝟭–𝟮, 𝗘𝗦𝗩). After all, there is only “one body and one Spirit . . . one hope . . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” (verses 4–6, 𝗘𝗦𝗩).

The members of the church have received gifts from God: “To each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it” (𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟰:𝟳). The spiritual gifts came following Christ’s ascension into heaven: “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men” (verse 8, 𝗘𝗦𝗩). And the reason for the gifts is identified: “To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (verse 12, 𝗘𝗦𝗩).

The implication of Jesus’ ascension into heaven is “that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth” (𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟰:𝟵, 𝗡𝗞𝗝𝗩). Where exactly did Christ descend?

The 𝗘𝗦𝗩 translation of 𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟰:𝟵 identifies “the lower regions” as “the earth.” The 𝗡𝗟𝗧 arrives at the same conclusion, saying that Jesus “descended to our lowly world.” The 𝗡𝗜𝗩 follows suit, saying that Jesus came to “the lower, earthly regions.” So, the incarnation of Christ is His “descent”—He came down from heaven to dwell among us (𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝟭:𝟭, 𝟭𝟰). But some other interpreters suggest that, after Christ was crucified, He descended into Sheol, Hades, or hell. Those who hold this view often cite 𝟭 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟯:𝟭𝟴–𝟭𝟵 as a supporting passage.

Based on the context of 𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟰:𝟵, the descent of Christ likely refers to His incarnation. Christ left heaven and descended to the “lower regions” (i.e., to the earth). Why did Christ descend? He descended “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟮𝟬:𝟮𝟴, 𝗘𝗦𝗩). His descent was complete and utterly humble: the King of kings was laid in a manger, and He spent His life with “no place to lay his head” (𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟴:𝟮𝟬).

After His earthly work was done, Jesus ascended back into heaven, and He distributed spiritual gifts to His church. Paul says that Christ “gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟰:𝟭𝟭–𝟭𝟮, 𝗘𝗦𝗩). Now Jesus is “at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven” (𝗛𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝟴:𝟭). Having humbled Himself in descending to the lower parts of the earth, God has exalted Him to the highest place forever (𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟮:𝟵).

~ WORD ~

04/05/2026

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗢 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗩𝗘?
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The core beliefs of Christianity are summarized in 1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-4. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, was resurrected, and thereby offers salvation to all who will receive Him in faith. Unique among all other faiths, Christianity is more about a relationship than religious practices. Instead of adhering to a list of “do’s and don’ts,” the goal of a Christian is to cultivate a close walk with God. That relationship is made possible because of the work of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Beyond these core beliefs, there are many other items that are, or at least should be, indicative of what Christianity is and what Christians believe.

Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired, “God-breathed” Word of God and that its teaching is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice (2 TIMOTHY 3:16; 2 PETER 1:20-21). Christians believe in one God that exists in three persons—the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.

Christians believe that mankind was created specifically to have a relationship with God, but sin separates all men from God (ROMANS 3:23; 5:12). Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ walked this earth, fully God, and yet fully man (PHILIPPIANS 2:6-11), and died on the cross. Christians believe that after His death, Christ was buried, He rose again, and now lives at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for the believers forever (HEBREWS 7:25). Christianity proclaims that Jesus’ death on the cross was sufficient to completely pay the sin debt owed by all men and this is what restores the broken relationship between God and man (HEBREWS 9:11-14; 10:10; ROMANS 5:8; 6:23).

Christianity teaches that in order to be saved and be granted entrance into heaven after death, one must place one’s faith entirely in the finished work of Christ on the cross. If we believe that Christ died in our place and paid the price of our own sins, and rose again, then we are saved. There is nothing that anyone can do to earn salvation. We cannot be “good enough” to please God on our own, because we are all sinners (ISAIAH 53:6; 64:6-7). There is nothing more to be done, because Christ has done all the work! When He was on the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished” (JOHN 19:30), meaning that the work of redemption was completed.

According to Christianity, salvation is freedom from the old sin nature and freedom to pursue a right relationship with God. Where we were once slaves to sin, we are now slaves to Christ (ROMANS 6:15-22). As long as believers live on this earth in their sinful bodies, they will engage in a constant struggle with sin. However, Christians can have victory in the struggle with sin by studying and applying God’s Word in their lives and being controlled by the Holy Spirit—that is, submitting to the Spirit’s leading in everyday circumstances.

So, while many religious systems require that a person do or not do certain things, Christianity is about believing that Christ died on the cross as payment for our own sins and rose again. Our sin debt is paid and we can have fellowship with God. We can have victory over our sin nature and walk in fellowship and obedience with God. That is true biblical Christianity.

~ WORD ~

12/02/2026

*WHEN THE BIBLE REFERS TO MEN, MANKIND, BROTHERS, ETC., DOES IT INCLUDE WOMEN?*
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The Bible is by no means gender-neutral. It presents from beginning to end a thoroughly masculine perspective, and it often leaves it to the reader to decide what application to females or what inclusion of females is implied. Sometimes, a reference to men or brothers should be understood to include women; other times, men just means “men.” The context will provide the clues.

Determining whether the word man or brothers includes women comes down to rightly translating the passage and then properly interpreting its meaning. Good hermeneutics leads to accurate interpretations and the ability to know when a passage about “men” is exclusive (referring to strictly males) or inclusive (referring to both genders).

Some words are masculine in form, and it is clear from the context that they should be understood as referring to males only. For example, in *Acts 7:2*, when Stephen addresses his audience as “brothers and fathers,” he is not using those terms generically. The Sanhedrin body to whom he spoke was comprised of men, with no women.

Other words, although masculine in form, can be used as generic terms for both sexes. For example, man and sons are sometimes used to refer to “mankind” and “children” in general. In *Ephesians 4:8* we read, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men” (ESV). Men here is a reference to all mankind—the Lord did not limit the spiritual gifts to the male population in the church. In *Mathew 13:38*, Jesus speaks of “the sons of the kingdom” and “the sons of the evil one” (ESV). The word sons is masculine, of course, yet in this context it simply means “people” or “offspring.” These examples demonstrate an important point about language. Most words in any language do not have a single, all-encompassing meaning, but context plays a part in determining definition.

Sometimes, the translation of a text makes subtle changes in gender-related words. For example, the King James Version of *John 1:12* says, “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.” However, the English word sons, a masculine word, replaces a neuter word in the Greek; a better translation is “children of God,” which is how the King James 2000 has it.

A related question is why does the Bible use only masculine generic terms? Why can children be referred to as “sons,” but they are never called (generically) “daughters”? It is apparent that, in the culture of the biblical writers, it was standard practice to use the generic masculine. It was just how people thought and how they talked. For centuries in modern English, we also used the generic masculine—he was an acceptable substitute for he or she when referring to an unknown person. In contemporary language, people in the West have grown sensitive to gender-specific language: calling a firefighter a “fireman” is frowned upon as sexist, even if he is obviously male. English students are taught to say “he or she” or, more commonly, “they” (even when referring to a single individual), since the plural is gender-neutral.

Many Bible translations in recent years have adopted a more gender-neutral wording. For example, *1 Thessalonians 4:1* is translated as “brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God” (NIV), even though the word for “sisters” is not in the Greek text. The translators added “and sisters” in the interest of gender neutrality. Does the insertion of and sisters result in a less exact rendering of the Greek text? Yes, it does. But, since Paul was obviously writing to the entire church (which included sisters in Christ), the inclusion of and sisters does no damage to the intent of this particular passage. God’s Word is not distorted by such a modification. Using more generic words such as people, parents, and descendants instead of man, father, and sons may help eliminate confusion, avoid misunderstandings, and avert unnecessary offense in modern times.

~ WORD ~

09/01/2026

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗦/𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗠𝗦
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The phrase “heavenly places” or “heavenly realms” is used several times in the book of Ephesians (𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟭:𝟯, 𝟮𝟬; 𝟮:𝟲; 𝟯:𝟭𝟬; 𝟲:𝟭𝟮). This phrase is translated from the Greek word epouranios, meaning “the sphere of spiritual activities.” “Heavenly realms” can refer to both angelic and demonic activity. 𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟭:𝟮𝟬 says that God “raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.” But 𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟲:𝟭𝟮 speaks of evil forces in the same realm: “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

As flesh-and-blood humans, we have very little understanding of the spirit world. We cannot see, hear, or touch it. However, the Bible assumes it, and we can glean insight into a world we cannot see by studying what God tells us about it. First of all, God is spirit (𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝟰:𝟮𝟰). He exists outside the bounds of time, space, and matter. His home is called heaven (𝗔𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝟳:𝟱𝟱; 𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗵 𝟲𝟯:𝟭𝟱), but this is a distinct place, not to be confused with “the heavens,” referring to the atmosphere (𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝟭:𝟭; 𝗣𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝟭𝟰𝟴:𝟰), or the “heavenly realms,” which encompass all spirit beings. In God’s heaven, He sits on a throne (𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟮𝟯:𝟮𝟮; 𝗛𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝟰:𝟭𝟲), surrounded by adoring angels (𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟳:𝟭𝟭; 𝗣𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝟵𝟵:𝟭) who exist to serve God and minister to His saints (𝗛𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝟭:𝟭𝟰; 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝟰:𝟭𝟭; 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝟭𝟵:𝟭). Angels also have the ability to appear as men when sent to deliver messages from God (𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝟭𝟴:𝟮, 𝟭𝟲–𝟭𝟳; 𝟭𝟵:𝟭–𝟮; 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗹 𝟭𝟬:𝟱–𝟲).

However, the dark side of the heavenly realms belongs to Satan and his evil spirits. Satan is not the counterpart to God. God has no challenger. Satan is a created being who has only the power God allows him to have for only as long as God allows it (𝗜𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗮𝗵 𝟭𝟰:𝟭𝟮; 𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝟮𝟮:𝟯𝟭; 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟮:𝟭𝟮). Yet, for reasons known only to God, Satan and his minions are allowed to wreak havoc upon the earth and the servants of God—if unchecked by spiritual warfare and the holy angels. 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗹 𝟭𝟬 gives us the best glimpse into what happens in this world we cannot see. An angel was dispatched by God to deliver a message to Daniel as he prayed, but the messenger was detained for three weeks by “the prince of Persia,” a demon (𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝟭𝟯). The angel later told Daniel that he had to have help from Michael the archangel in order to prevail and continue on the assignment God had given him.

This glimpse into the heavenly realms helps us understand a few things. First, we learn that there is fierce warfare taking place at all times. Satan and his demons are actively working to thwart the plans of God and destroy whatever they can (see 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝟭𝟬:𝟭𝟬). If a mighty angel on a mission from God could be detained by demonic forces, then demons must have great power. Second, God does not leave His children defenseless against this evil army. 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟭𝟬:𝟰 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” 𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟲:𝟭𝟭–𝟭𝟳 tells us exactly what armor we need to stand firm against the temptations and schemes of the devil. In ourselves, we are no match for Satan’s devices. We need spiritual armor to fight spiritual battles. The third truth we can learn from the Daniel passage is that prayer gets God’s attention and that His answer is on the way. There are forces unknown to us that may interfere with God’s desire to aid us, and we must continue to persevere in prayer until the answer comes (see 𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝟭𝟴:𝟭; 𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟲:𝟭𝟴).

The heavenly realms are as real as the earthly realms. We will spend most of our lives living in the heavenly realms (𝟮 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟱:𝟭; 𝟭 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝟱:𝟭𝟭). In contrast, our earthly existence is only a “vapor that appears for a little while and is gone” (𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝟰:𝟭𝟰). Physical battles may seem intense, but the results are temporary. However, spiritual battles have eternal consequences. When we live our earthly lives in recognition of the unseen battles that rage all around us, we will be more careful about what we say and do (𝗘𝗽𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟱:𝟭𝟱–𝟭𝟲; 𝟮 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟮:𝟭𝟭). We will be faithful to utilize our weapons of prayer and the armor of God, knowing that the real battles are fought and won in the heavenly realms.

~ WORD ~

07/11/2025

𝗜𝗙 𝗝𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗦 𝗚𝗢𝗗, 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗗𝗜𝗗 𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗬, “𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗦 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡 𝗜” 𝗜𝗡 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭𝟰:𝟮𝟴
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Jesus said, “The Father is greater than I” (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭𝟰:𝟮𝟴) to His troubled disciples on the night of His arrest. Jesus had announced His imminent departure, and this puzzled them (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭𝟯:𝟯𝟯–𝟯𝟴; 𝟭𝟰:𝟭; 𝟭𝟲:𝟭𝟲–𝟭𝟴).

Jesus tells them, “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I” (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭𝟰:𝟮𝟴). So, if they truly loved Him, they would have rejoiced that He is going to the Father. Jesus had already promised that He would go and prepare a place for them in His Father’s house (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭𝟰:𝟮). He also promised that He would come back and take them to be with Him forever (𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝟯). This should have been a cause for joy. Another cause for joy is that “the Father is greater than I” (𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝟮𝟴).

𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭𝟰:𝟮𝟴 is often taken out of context to allege that Jesus is not God: “If Jesus is God,” the critics say, “how is the Father greater than He?” The apostle John, however, insists that Jesus is God (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭:𝟭, 𝟭𝟴; 𝟱:𝟭𝟲–𝟭𝟴; 𝟭𝟬:𝟯𝟬; 𝟮𝟬:𝟮𝟴). John also insists that Jesus was obedient to His Father (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟰:𝟯𝟰; 𝟱:𝟭𝟵–𝟯𝟬; 𝟴:𝟮𝟵; 𝟭𝟮:𝟰𝟴–𝟰𝟵). How do we resolve this perceived difficulty? Arians deny that Jesus is fully God, while Gnostics deny that Jesus is fully human. Both positions are unacceptable. Jesus is fully God and fully man. What, then, does Jesus mean when He says, “The Father is greater than I”?

First, the doctrine of the incarnation teaches that Jesus “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟮:𝟳–𝟴, ESV). Thus, “for a little while” (𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝟮:𝟵), the Father was greater in glory and exaltation. The Father was greater in that He was not subject to pain and illness and death—the Son was. The Father was greater in that He did not live in weariness and poverty and humiliation—the Son did. The “greatness” spoken of in this verse relates to role, not to essence.

Second, the doctrine of eternal Sonship teaches that the Father begat the Son. This is a difficult doctrine to grasp, but the Bible repeatedly affirms that Jesus had no beginning (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭:𝟭; 𝟭𝟳:𝟱). In other words, there was never a time when Jesus was not. To claim otherwise is to fall into the heresy of Arianism.

Jesus has always existed: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭:𝟭–𝟯, ESV).

In 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭:𝟭𝟰, John writes that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (ESV). Jesus did not cease being God; He simply took on human flesh, yet without sin (𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝟰:𝟭𝟱). This is the most incredible moment in history! The omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent Son of God assumed a human nature and lived as one of us: He was God and man at the same time.

Since Jesus always had a deep and intimate relationship with the Father, the disciples should have rejoiced that the Son was returning home (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭𝟰:𝟮𝟴). Jesus would leave behind all the pain and sorrow of this world and regain the glory that He had with the Father before the creation of the world (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭𝟳:𝟱). If the disciples loved Him, they would be glad for Him. But His going home was for the disciples’ benefit, too, because, once in heaven, Jesus would send the promised Holy Spirit to be with them forever (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭𝟰:𝟭𝟱–𝟯𝟭).

We should praise God for the love that exists between the Father and Son, a love that was on full display when Jesus endured the shame of the cross for our sins (𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝟭𝟮:𝟭–𝟮).

~ WORD ~

16/08/2025

*🛑 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦*
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Across Africa, *“deliverance”* has become *big business*.
Fear of curses and demons fills churches every week.
Pastors shout, people fall, bottles of oil are sold, and *“holy”* objects are given for protection. The *man of God* becomes the center.

It *feels* powerful. It *looks* spiritual.
❓ But is it the *gospel of Jesus Christ*?

*🔍 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗘𝗘:*
😨 Fear preached more than faith
🧍‍♂️ Pastor seen as the only access to God
💰 Money demanded for prayers
🫙💧 Oil, water, or wristbands treated as spiritual weapons
🎭 Drama & manifestations replacing Bible teaching

*📖 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗬𝗦:*
*“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.”*
*(Colossians 1:13–14)*

✝ *If you are in Christ, you are already free.* *(John 8:36)*

*📢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟:*
If your church glorifies the pastor instead of Christ, keeps you afraid, and sells blessings — 🏃 *run!*

*The Bible says:* *“Come out from among them and be separate.”* *(2 Corinthians 6:17)*

🙌 *Friend*, don’t trade the truth of Christ for religious entertainment.
The One who truly sets free is calling you to Himself.

✅ Join a church that faithfully preaches Christ and sets people free in Him.

~ WORD ~

12/08/2025

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗦, 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗧 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘 (𝟮 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟯:𝟲)?
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𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟯:𝟲 says, “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” With these words, Paul summarizes the key difference between the Old and New Testaments: the first covenant was based on obedience to the written law (the “letter”), but the second covenant is based on the blood of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit.

There are two parts to this answer, as we look at both the letter and the Spirit.

First, what does Paul mean by “the letter kills”? Simply that the Old Testament Law, which is good and perfect (𝗣𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗠 𝟭𝟵:𝟳), reveals all people as law-breakers (𝗚𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟯:𝟭𝟬). The law “kills” in that the penalty for breaking God’s law is eternal death in hell (𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟲:𝟮𝟯; 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝟮𝟭:𝟴). As God told Moses the lawgiver, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book” (𝗘𝗫𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗦 𝟯𝟮:𝟯𝟯). Even if you sin only once in your whole life, it’s the same as breaking all of God’s laws (𝗝𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝟮:𝟭𝟬), just as breaking only one link in a chain breaks the whole chain.

The written law—“the letter”—was chiseled in stone by the finger of God and is the unchanging standard by which all are judged. The law cannot give us righteousness or eternal life in heaven (𝗚𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟮:𝟭𝟲). It can only condemn us as sinners, and the sentence is death. Heaven is where perfection is required (𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗪 𝟱:𝟮𝟬, 𝟰𝟴; 𝟭𝟵:𝟭𝟲–𝟮𝟭), and “the law made nothing perfect” (𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝟳:𝟭𝟵).

Second, what does Paul mean by “the Spirit gives life”? Simply that the Holy Spirit rescues us from our hopeless situation. God saves us from death and grants us eternal life when we are born again through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟯:𝟲), and, later, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are Spirit and they are life” (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟲:𝟲𝟯).

The Holy Spirit was active in the Incarnation of our Savior (𝗟𝗨𝗞𝗘 𝟭:𝟯𝟱). It was through the Holy Spirit that Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice to God for our sins (𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝟵:𝟭𝟰). The Spirit is the cause of the new birth (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟯:𝟯–𝟴). It is the Spirit who lives in believers (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭𝟰:𝟭𝟳), seals them (𝗘𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟭:𝟭𝟯), and sanctifies them (𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟭𝟱:𝟭𝟲).

Jesus came to give us an abundant life, or life “to the full” (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭𝟬:𝟭𝟬). The Holy Spirit living in believers is how Jesus fulfills that promise. The abundant Christian life is marked by the fruit of the Spirit, which is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (𝗚𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟱:𝟮𝟮–𝟮𝟯). The Old Testament Law could not produce any of that fruit; only the Holy Spirit can, as He lives in us.

The Spirit gives life in that He enables us to reach God’s ultimate goal for us, to be transformed into the glorious image of God’s own Son (𝟮 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟯:𝟭𝟴; also see 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟴:𝟮𝟴–𝟯𝟬). Until the day that we see Christ, the Spirit intercedes with God on our behalf, ensuring our continued forgiveness and preserving the promise of God (𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟴:𝟮𝟲–𝟮𝟳).

“The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (𝟮 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟯:𝟲). Elsewhere, Paul teaches the same truth: “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code” (𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟳:𝟲).

~ WORD ~

05/08/2025

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗜𝗦 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗢 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗩𝗘?
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The core beliefs of Christianity are summarized in 𝟭 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟭𝟱:𝟭-𝟰. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, was resurrected, and thereby offers salvation to all who will receive Him in faith. Unique among all other faiths, Christianity is more about a relationship than religious practices. Instead of adhering to a list of “do’s and don’ts,” the goal of a Christian is to cultivate a close walk with God. That relationship is made possible because of the work of Jesus Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Beyond these core beliefs, there are many other items that are, or at least should be, indicative of what Christianity is and what Christians believe.

Christians believe that the Bible is the inspired, “God-breathed” Word of God and that its teaching is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice (𝟮 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗬 𝟯:𝟭𝟲; 𝟮 𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝟭:𝟮𝟬-𝟮𝟭). Christians believe in one God that exists in three persons—the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.

Christians believe that mankind was created specifically to have a relationship with God, but sin separates all men from God (𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟯:𝟮𝟯; 𝟱:𝟭𝟮). Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ walked this earth, fully God, and yet fully man (𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟮:𝟲-𝟭𝟭), and died on the cross. Christians believe that after His death, Christ was buried, He rose again, and now lives at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for the believers forever (𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝟳:𝟮𝟱). Christianity proclaims that Jesus’ death on the cross was sufficient to completely pay the sin debt owed by all men and this is what restores the broken relationship between God and man (𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝟵:𝟭𝟭-𝟭𝟰; 𝟭𝟬:𝟭𝟬; 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟱:𝟴; 𝟲:𝟮𝟯).

Christianity teaches that in order to be saved and be granted entrance into heaven after death, one must place one’s faith entirely in the finished work of Christ on the cross. If we believe that Christ died in our place and paid the price of our own sins, and rose again, then we are saved. There is nothing that anyone can do to earn salvation. We cannot be “good enough” to please God on our own, because we are all sinners (𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗜𝗔𝗛 𝟱𝟯:𝟲; 𝟲𝟰:𝟲-𝟳). There is nothing more to be done, because Christ has done all the work! When He was on the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished” (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟭𝟵:𝟯𝟬), meaning that the work of redemption was completed.

According to Christianity, salvation is freedom from the old sin nature and freedom to pursue a right relationship with God. Where we were once slaves to sin, we are now slaves to Christ (𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟲:𝟭𝟱-𝟮𝟮). As long as believers live on this earth in their sinful bodies, they will engage in a constant struggle with sin. However, Christians can have victory in the struggle with sin by studying and applying God’s Word in their lives and being controlled by the Holy Spirit—that is, submitting to the Spirit’s leading in everyday circumstances.

So, while many religious systems require that a person do or not do certain things, Christianity is about believing that Christ died on the cross as payment for our own sins and rose again. Our sin debt is paid and we can have fellowship with God. We can have victory over our sin nature and walk in fellowship and obedience with God. That is true biblical Christianity.

~ WORD ~

22/06/2025

𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝟭𝟭:𝟮𝟬-𝟯𝟯 𝗝𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗝𝗘𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗠 𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘
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Rev Tom Robson
Free commentaries & resources website – www.Coms4.africa
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Roman forces destroyed the Jewish temple in AD 70, 40 years after Jesus here pronounced judgement on it. Just as the fig tree withered 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝟭𝟭:𝟭𝟱-𝟮𝟮, so Jesus judged those spiritual leaders for corrupting the temple and signalled its end. As he died, the temple curtain tore, top to bottom 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝟭𝟱:𝟮𝟰-𝟮𝟴. God tore it to show the way’s now open for sinners who repented and believed in Jesus to be forgiven and come freely come in prayer and worship to him. Also see 𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝟵:𝟭𝟭-𝟭𝟬:𝟮𝟮.

In 𝘃𝟭𝟰 Jesus cursed the fig tree and in 𝘃𝟮𝟬 the disciples find it withered. They’re surprised but Jesus says prayer (𝘃𝟭𝟰) is effective if we have faith in God. He’s not teaching how to remove mountains (𝘃𝟮𝟯) but Herod removed a hilltop near the temple in a building project and Jesus used this exaggerated illustration to make his point. Jesus says prayer in faith is effective – not making us rich but to grow his Church and to keep us faithful to him – even when we’re opposed for following Christ. But he adds, as in 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗪 𝟲:𝟭𝟰-𝟭𝟱, that prayer’s ineffective when we refuse to forgive others 𝘃𝟮𝟱. In the years after his ascension the disciples would need to pray! And so do we – but we need faith and a forgiving attitude.

In 𝘃𝟮𝟳-𝟯𝟯 the leaders challenge Jesus, not that clearing the temple was wrong, but wanting his authority to do so. Jesus’ action effectively said he had higher authority than chief priests and Elders, which he did but they denied it. To grasp this, read his words in 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝟴:𝟴-𝟭𝟮. His teaching ‘‘with authority’’ and miracles prove he worked by God’s approval and authority: read 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝟭:𝟮𝟳-𝟮𝟴, 𝟮:𝟴-𝟭𝟭, 𝟮:𝟮𝟴, 𝟯:𝟲, 𝟲:𝟭-𝟮, 𝟵:𝟳! Corrupt people reject the signs the Father gave Jesus to do, demanding signs to suit them... but they didn’t get any. Nor will we – those in the 𝗕𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 are enough!

𝗢𝗧 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬, 𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬
All they offered is ours by faith in Jesus: free access to God, forgiveness and acceptance, belonging to God’s family, and God’s presence in us by the Holy Spirit! Glory!

~ WORD ~

Commentaries for Africa

22/05/2025

𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗜𝗧 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗛 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟲:𝟲𝟯)?
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In 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟲:𝟮𝟱–𝟱𝟵, Jesus presented a challenging teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. The disciples struggled to digest Christ’s words, while the Jewish religious leaders were scandalized by them. Jesus then explained that He was speaking figuratively about spiritual realities and not literally: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟲:𝟲𝟯, NKJV).

The noun flesh (sarx in Greek) refers to “the physical aspects of a person in distinction to the nonmaterial soul.” Technically, flesh describes the body’s soft tissue but is often used in the New Testament to indicate the “sinful nature” or the seat of sin and rebellion against God in humanity. In the Old Testament, flesh is frequently used in reference to mortal humans in contrast with God, a life-giving Spirit. The term translated as “profit” in 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟲:𝟲𝟯 means “to be of use, help, aid, facilitate, accomplish.”

The New Living Translation renders Christ’s words this way: “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟲:𝟲𝟯).

The flesh profits nothing means there is absolutely no hope of salvation or any spiritual insight or gain that can be achieved through human effort. The apostle Paul had nothing good to say about the flesh: “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out” (𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟳:𝟭𝟴, ESV). Paul urged Christians to “put no confidence in the flesh” (𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟯:𝟯).

Our interpretation will be flawed if we try to understand the Word of God from a literal, flesh-dominated, human perspective. We must have the indwelling Spirit to comprehend God’s Word correctly: “But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. . . . No one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us” (𝟭 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟮:𝟭𝟬–𝟭𝟮, NLT).

The flesh profits nothing because it relies on human wisdom. “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit” (𝟭 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟮:𝟭𝟰). The “spiritual person” can understand the Word of God and the things of God’s Spirit because he has “the mind of Christ” (𝟭 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟮:𝟭𝟱–𝟭𝟲, CSB).

The flesh profits nothing because it prevents people from receiving “the message of the cross,” which “is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (𝟭 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟭:𝟭𝟴). The message of the cross is that Jesus died to save us and bring us into a relationship with God the Father: “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit” (𝟭 𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝟯:𝟭𝟴, NLT).

Only the Spirit of God gives everlasting life. In 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟯:𝟲, Jesus said, “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life” (NLT). We must be born of the Spirit (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟯:𝟱–𝟴) by believing in Christ and receiving His gift of eternal life (𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡 𝟱:𝟮𝟭, 𝟮𝟰, 𝟮𝟲; 𝟳:𝟯𝟳–𝟯𝟵).

Believers can think of “the flesh” as the symbol of our humanness, which is of no profit to a true follower of Christ. Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗪 𝟭𝟲:𝟮𝟰–𝟮𝟳, ESV).

The flesh profits nothing means that, in and of ourselves, as human beings born into sin, we can never experience eternal life (𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝟯:𝟵–𝟭𝟮). The “flesh” is human power, which is utterly incapable of generating spiritual life. Only by the power of God—the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of His Spirit—can we be saved.

~ WORD ~