Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | May 4, 2018
In Israelite culture, the oldest son and brother got a “double blessing.” That means when the father died, the oldest brother got twice as much as everyone else. As the second born son, that doesn’t sound fair to my modern ears. While reading Ephesians I noticed how repetitious verses 2-3 were in the first chapter. […]
PHall | May 4, 2018
I was listening to Ephesians and it struck me how chapter 4 starts off with seven “ones” (hope, baptism, faith, etc.) and then goes to four “somes” (apostles, evangelists, etc.) We are united but diversified which leads to more unity as the gifts help the body minister to itself from different levels of knowledge into […]
PHall | May 4, 2018
I am always looking for different and deeper ways to teach on baptism: Jesus died on the cross and three days later was resurrected while still hanging on the cross. While everyone knows that is not accurate history, it is an accurate description of how many preach the gospel. But it has not always been […]
PHall | April 29, 2018
God tells us what is pure and undefiled religion: James 1:27 – Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. The question needing asking is, “Why are these criteria pure and undefiled religion?” I would […]
PHall | February 9, 2018
If you consider yourself saved yet have never been immersed in water, why do you consider baptism so unimportant when: 1) it was done in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:38); 2) it was the first question asked after a sermon on Jesus (Acts 8:35-36); 3) it was ordered to be done (Acts 10:48); 4) it was […]
PHall | February 9, 2018
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). That passage is used – misused – to prove anything the advocate wants. For example: 1) if God once provided man with miraculous ability then God always provides man with miraculous ability; 2) if God once approved of worshipping with instruments then God always […]
PHall | February 9, 2018
Would you be surprised if you talked about the best restaurant, someone would ask about their food? Can you discuss the NBA without it being somehow connected to basketball? If someone preaches about Jesus, should it lead to the hearer wanting to be baptized? That is exactly what happened when Phillip taught about Jesus beginning […]
PHall | February 9, 2018
Everyone is affected by peer pressure, regardless of age. What peers, what pressure, and how we react is the difference between: 1) Doing Wrong; 2) Doing Right but Wrong; 3) Doing Right. 1. Every teenager in a Bible class has heard, “Bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Paul is quoting a Greek poet, […]
PHall | February 9, 2018
This short article on intentions intends to make us aware that right actions and right intentions are both required to please God. 1. Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10). One of the few narratives in the priestly book of rituals is Aaron’s sons offering “strange” or unauthorized fire. Why they did this is seemingly connected to […]
PHall | February 9, 2018
When you think of Esau, what comes to mind? Maybe it is what the Hebrew writer said right before naming him as godless: “Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and defiling many” (Hebrews 12:15). Bitterness well describes Esau’s wanting […]