Do you need structure in your daily Bible reading? Or want to study an entire book of the Bible—not various verses, but a whole book, to get a sense of the flow?… Read More
Q&A 1393—The meaning of Luke 11:13
What is Jesus talking about in Luke 11:13, since we receive the Spirit at baptism? — S.F. Here’s the passage, in case anybody isn’t familiar with it: 11 “Which of you… Read More
Sound Doctrine
This lesson was original taught in Mexico City (“Manteniendo la Sana Doctrina,” 9 August 2014). Listen to the English podcast (52 minutes). Click here to download. Life and teaching Every… Read More
Jesus Christ: Prince of Peace or God of War? – Douglas Jacoby
To watch video, click on link: http://vimeo.com/81639585 Jesus Christ: Prince of Peace or God of War? Douglas Jacoby, 2013 Harvard University Observations 1. O.T. Church-state. Although priesthood and monarchy were separate,… Read More
Tithes & Offerings, Pt. 2 (Steven Jacoby)
To listen to Steven Jacoby’s Tithes & Offerings, Pt. 2 (29 minutes), click on the play button: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as”… Read More
Tithes & Offerings, Pt. 1 (Steven Jacoby)
To listen to Steven Jacoby’s Tithes & Offerings, Pt. 1 (25 minutes), click on the play button: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as”… Read More
Jacoby PUBLICATIONS
BOOKS & AUDIO Books Advanced Christian Training (1986) Till the Nets are Full (formerly Shining Like Stars). Also available in Vietnamese. The Powerful Delusion (1987) I Was Hungry! The Christian… Read More
Reality and the Disciple’s Worldview, by Jason Goble
Reality is the hardest thing to correctly perceive. To know reality is to know truth. (The terms can be used interchangeably). Or, reality is the state of things as… Read More
Matters of Conscience — A Deeper Look, by Gordon Ferguson
Common Misconceptions The study of conscience biblically is a very interesting study, due partly to how misunderstood the subject actually is by many. For example, it is common to hear… Read More
Messianic Prophecy
Any study of prophecy eventually leads us to Christ. Prophecies about the Messiah are called “Messianic” prophecies. The term “messiah” comes from the Hebrew Massiah, which means “anointed one.” The… Read More
Lilly Foundation Study
As you monitor developments immediately outside the "brother" circle, here’s a suggestion in case you haven’t yet encountered it–the "Gospel in Our Culture Network," (http://www.gocn.org) an interdenominational group of scholars… Read More
Receiving Christ
Here is a study of the popular evangelical doctrine of Receiving Christ (22 minutes). To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target… Read More
Simon the Sorcerer
For N.T. Character Study 22, Simon the Sorcerer (28 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or… Read More
Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Shinto
Here are a podcast and notes on Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Shinto (19 minutes). To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as”… Read More
NT Character Podcast 5—Paul
For N.T. Character Study 5, Paul (31 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target… Read More
Jesus
For N.T. Character Study 1, Jesus (40 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target… Read More
Q&A 1206 – 1 Timothy 5:22
1 Timothy 5:22 reads, "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure." I’ve searched your Q&As… Read More
Q&A 1167 – Why is Christianity so divided?
Why are there so many differing views of Christianity? The amount of theological debate going on out there about baptism, predestination, salvation, etc is overwhelming! How can one approach these subjects without… Read More
Q&A 1136 — Deliberate sin
The Bible says not to use your freedom as a Christian to indulge the sinful nature… What if I know that something I am involved with is sinful, but I refuse to… Read More
Q&A 1090 – Young Earth Creationism Museum
Thanks for recommending some reading (in the past) so that our family will be able to make an informed decision regarding what we believe about creation. We are a home-schooling family… Read More
Q&A 0908 – Knowing we’re saved, and developing consistency
How can one be sure he is saved? I mean there are baptism conversion, faith, and love for God. The latter seems to waver quite often in my life. God’s… Read More
Q&A 0906 – Righteousness imparted by the Spirit?
When Jesus died on the cross, did he impart his righteousness to us through the Holy Spirit? Please help me also with scriptural references. — Art The answer is yes… Read More
Purgatory
For Purgatory (12 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and you can… Read More
OT04-Abraham.mp3
For the O.T. Lesson 4, Abraham (40 minutes), click on the button: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and… Read More
OT04 Abraham
For the O.T. Lesson 4, Abraham (40 minutes), click on the button: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and you can download… Read More
Q&A 0844 – Elaborate study series
In the book of Acts, the 3000, the Ethiopian eunuch, Saul, Cornelius, and others didn’t have elaborate doctrinal studies to complete as a prerequisite to baptism. We should provide a… Read More
Q&A 0843 – The Thief on the Cross
The thief (robber) on the cross couldn’t get baptized and was still saved. How can we explain that? Do extraordinary faith and confession of Jesus as Lord save us, as… Read More
Q&A 0798 – How did Paul receive his miraculous gifts?
I got asked a bit of a stumper the other day. Paul received the indwelling of the Spirit at baptism, but he was laid hands on by Ananias, who was… Read More
Q&A 0788 – John 14:12-14: In Jesus’ name?
In John 14:12-14, Jesus says that he will do whatever we ask and that we may ask him for anything. Also, Stephen, when dying, says "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."… Read More
Q&A 0770 – Sanctified (non-Christian) spouse? (Sobre esposos — esp*)
My question is about the scripture that teaches that a believing spouse sanctifies her non-believing husband. I don’t understand this scripture. — César Herrera Mi pregunta es acerca de la… Read More
Q&A 0767 – Dedicating infants
I would like to know your thoughts on dedicating infants to God during a church service. My husband is concerned that it is somehow unbiblical. His thoughts are more that… Read More
A Christian Response to the Global Financial Crisis
Douglas Jacoby, 1 February 2009 (45 mins) Click on the play button below: Tragedy in 2008: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save… Read More
MATTHEW 16
1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him asked that he would show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said to them, “When it is… Read More
MATTHEW 21 – B
23 Now when he came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you… Read More
MARK 1 – B
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw… Read More
MARK 7
1 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and 2 saw some of his disciples eating food with hands… Read More
MARK 8
1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they… Read More
MARK 10 – A
1 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he… Read More
MARK 11
1 And as they approached Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 2 and said to them, “Go into the village… Read More
MARK 15
1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away… Read More
Q&A 0690 – Interpretation?
I was reading about Origen (d.254 AD), one of the ancient church fathers in a recent Christian history magazine, and it got me thinking. My church has taught for years that… Read More
Q&A 0686 – Calling on the name of the Lord
Do all who call on the name of the Lord get saved? Or only the ones who do his will? I am thinking of passages like Romans 10:13, Joel 2:32,… Read More
Q&A 0641- Disciples before the 12?
I was reading through Luke, focusing on how Jesus started his ministry, and I started to wonder why Jesus wouldn’t call anyone to follow him before Simon and Andrew. Jesus had to have… Read More
Q&A 0625 – Recovering alcoholics
I heard a sister say, "Hi, I’m a recovering alcoholic." I understand that the point of this is to keep one humble by reminding oneself one is still an addict… Read More
Q&A 0617 – Must one be baptized by a Christian?
I was listening to your sermon on Ephesians 4. You said the great thing about the Bible is that, even if all Christians died off and only the Bible was… Read More
Q&A 0613 – Papacy etc.
I am reading Early Christian Readings, by Andrew Louth. A couple of his statements confused me. (He is very Roman in his leaning). First, he refers to the Martyrdom of… Read More
Q&A 0562 – Faith alone?
James 2:24 says, "You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone." I’ve had to chew on this one for a while as… Read More
Q&A 0483 – Who may baptize?
Who can baptize the person who believes in Christ and is prepared to accepted Jesus as his Saviour? Is it necessary to have a priest do the baptism? — Madhu… Read More
Q&A 0420 – Predestination
After reading Romans 9:22-24 I was struck by what seemed to be an argument for predestined grace. Is this so? Or is Paul speaking rhetorically to show God’s sovereign power… Read More
Q&A 0386 – One true church?
Is there really only one true church? What does the Bible say? Ephesians 1:22-23 teaches that the church is the body of Christ. It is not an institution. No one… Read More
Q&A 0383 – How to pronounce Jesus’ name
What did people in the 1st century call Jesus? Did they actually call him "Jesus," or did they use a Hebrew name? One study Bible claims "Jesus" derives from the… Read More
LUKE 1 – A
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who… Read More
LUKE 1 – E
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. 57 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son…. Read More
LUKE 20
1 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders,… Read More
Q&A 0330 – Saved by third-party faith?
In Mark 2:5, it seems that the paralytic’s sins were forgiven because of his friends’ faith. This this seems contrary to other scrptures that teach we are saved by our… Read More
Christian Church: Church planting, by Tom Jones
From: Tom Jones, Nashville Brothers and sisters, looks like we have a pretty good group signed up for some discussion. I will start it off with a few thoughts, and… Read More
Linguistic Insight: soteria
Soteria (so-tay-REE-ah) is the Greek word for "salvation, deliverance, preservation, release." Obviously our salvation is not only an event that took place in the waters of baptism, or "on a… Read More
Linguistic Insight: Galatians 5:19-23
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions; 21and envy, drunkenness,… Read More
Apologetics: Why I Left Atheism, by John Clayton
Of all the lessons that I present concerning the existence of God and of all the material that I try to make available to people to learn about God’s existence,… Read More
Apologetics: The Problem of Human Suffering
By John and Phyllis Clayton. Used with permission. And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, "Master,… Read More
JOHN 1 – A
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came… Read More
JOHN 1 – B
19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed and did not deny… Read More
JOHN 13
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own… Read More
JOHN 20 – B
19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews,… Read More
2005 International Teachers’ Seminar Program
This is an update on the upcoming 11th annual International Teachers’ Seminar. The plan has now been finalized by Gordon Ferguson, Andy Fleming, and myself. We are very excited about… Read More
Q&A 0117 – John 20:22-23
John 20:22-23 reads (NLT): “Then he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you refuse to forgive… Read More
Israeli-Palestinian Speaking Tour, by Aziz Sarah
US Tour by Aziz Abu Sarah It’s been two weeks since I have got back from the USA trip. I traveled around the East Cost. I was invited by different… Read More
A HELPFUL CONCEPT: COOPERATION WITH GOD, by Gordon Ferguson
A concept is a general idea that encompasses a set of specifics. Another way of describing it is to say it involves getting the big picture of a topic by… Read More
Q&A 0056 – Enemies
I’m curious about how to reconcile Jesus’ attitude towards enemies with the Old Testament’s. Further, I’m curious how a Christian is to view the maintenance of a standing army to protect… Read More
The Resurrection
EASTER LESSON 2005: Easter commemorates the resurrection of Christ. It also tells us about our own resurrection. WHAT RESURRECTION ISN’T:(1) The afterlife. Many believe in an afterlife who deny the… Read More
Q&A 0033 – Paul filled with the Spirit?
You said on page 212 of The Spirit that Ananias laid his hands on Paul so that he would receive his sight, but Acts 9:17 also says "and be filled… Read More
Report: Minneapolis/St Paul, by David Barnes
The Minneapolis/St.Paul Church of Christ enjoyed a weekend filled with inspirational teaching from Dr. Douglas Jacoby. The weekend saw extra encouragement as the brothers and sisters from Madison, WI joined… Read More
Q&A 0007 – The Trinity
Can you recommend reading material about ‘Trinity’ theology? — Joel Hughes, Triangle, North Carolina Many works – thousands of pages! – have been written about the Trinity. Because this is… Read More
ACTS 3
1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer — at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man crippled from birth… Read More
ACTS 9
1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,… Read More
ACTS 13 – B
13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On… Read More
ACTS 15
1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2… Read More
ACTS 16
1 He came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was a Jewess and a believer, but whose father was a Greek. 2… Read More
ACTS 22
1 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defence.” 2 When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said: 3 “I am a… Read More
Baltic Conference Report
February 13th-16th I was in Stockholm, the snowy city where our family lived 1989-1992. As always, the return visit was a joyous reunion, and it was heartening to see so… Read More
Believing Children, by Kelly Petre
Introduction: A. God has provided the church with “everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2… Read More
2003 Euro Trip Update 1: London, Geneva, Zurich, Lyon
In September [2003] I was honored to make a tour of 4 European cities, initially at the invitation of the Geneva church. One reason I was eager to return to… Read More
Gnosticism, by Andrew Kitchen
The word “gnosticism” comes from gnosis, Greek for “knowledge.” Esoteric or secret knowledge is meant. The Gnostics believed that only an elite few enjoyed special enlightenment. The Gnostic view of… Read More
ROMANS 4
1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about;… Read More
ROMANS 7
1 Or do you not know, brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives?… Read More
ROMANS 8 – A
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free… Read More
ROMANS 12
1 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. 2… Read More
ROMANS 14
1 Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. 2 One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats… Read More
1 CORINTHIANS 6
1 When any of you has a grievance against another, do you dare to take it to court before the unrighteous, instead of taking it before the saints? 2 Do… Read More
1 CORINTHIANS 14
1 Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. 2 For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people but… Read More
2 CORINTHIANS 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is in Corinth, including all the saints throughout… Read More
2 CORINTHIANS 7
1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God. 2 Make room… Read More
GALATIANS 4
1 My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; 2 but they remain… Read More
EPHESIANS 2
1 You were dead in your transgressions and sins 2 in which you once lived following the age of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air,… Read More
EPHESIANS 5
1 So be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God… Read More
PHILIPPIANS 3
1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. Writing the same things to you is no burden for me but is a safeguard for you. 2 Beware of the dogs!… Read More
2 THESSALONIANS 2
1 As to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we beg you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to be quickly shaken in… Read More
1 TIMOTHY 6
1 Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be… Read More
Judge Not!
Douglas Jacoby, Stockholm 1990 The following study is useful for anyone who has heard that we should never “judge.” Certainly, a judgmental spirit is wrong and unbecoming of a believer,… Read More
HEBREWS 10
1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer… Read More
JAMES 1 – B
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved. 17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there… Read More
2 PETER 1
1 Symeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of equal value to ours through the righteousness of our God and savior… Read More
1 JOHN 2 – A
1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our… Read More
REVELATION 20 – A
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that… Read More