PHall | September 19, 2024
Is there only one way to God? Contrary to popular thought, and recent comments made by the head of the Catholic Church, Jesus is the only way. But do we understand deeply what that means? Jesus is called the Way (John 14:6) and Jesus’s followers were so identified with their Lord that, what we call […]
Category: John, Acts |
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Tags: Denominationalism
PHall | October 13, 2023
A “Sound” Church A transformation begins. The assignment is, “Read Acts and make a list of the marks of a sound church.” Busily, the group starts answering this one, detailed, question. When class resumes, the teacher asks for their answers. The majority within the church have been “raised in the pew” and expectedly give answers […]
Category: Acts |
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Tags: Denominationalism, Sound
PHall | April 6, 2022
A Gospel About Us Is Another Gospel Is there a problem with churches who still teach the same old gospel, but worship in ways that are just more exciting to the physical senses? Please consider this – it is not the same gospel. Americanism has minimized the gospel in many ways, but using the term […]
Category: Exodus |
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Tags: Denominationalism, Golden Calf, Instrumental Music
PHall | March 29, 2022
A “Better” Argument Against Instrumental Music Despite history showing instrumental music was not part of worshiping God for the majority of worship in “The Way”, and despite the hermeneutical arguments concerning silence and exclusion, neither way is probably the the strongest argument against instrumental music in worship. When we view ourselves and bodies as God’s […]
Category: Hebrews |
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Tags: Denominationalism, Instrumental Music, Worship
PHall | January 25, 2021
The Church of Babel These “Babylonians” were building a city with a tower to bridge heaven and earth. There is so much in this short pericope where this story harkens back to creation and Eden, and then to the flood. It even foreshadows exile and captivity since Babel is Babylon. A common use today is […]
Category: Genesis |
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Tags: Denominationalism
PHall | March 9, 2020
What if I told you “not from works so that no one can boast” in Ephesians 2:8, does not include baptism – but not because of why you might think? It wasn’t what I thought either.1. Baptism is not a “work” of man, but is a “work” of God (Colossians 2:12). But that is not […]
Category: Ephesians |
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Tags: Baptism, Denominationalism, Faith, faith only
PHall | October 7, 2019
If we can – join the church of our choice, choose which worship style fits us, and all that matters is we are sincere – then we have become our own God.This is one of the temptations within all three Jesus faced in the Wilderness:1. Turn the stones to bread instead of relying on God […]
Category: Matthew |
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Tags: Denominationalism
PHall | March 14, 2019
“This is what the Lord GOD says: Because Moab and Seir said, ‘Look, the house of Judah is like all the other nations..’” (CSB Ezek 25:8).This odd observation by God of Israel’s neighbor may have some significant modern applications:1. The Moabites and Edomites were close relatives who considered themselves as good as Israel (Eze.25:8). Denominations […]
Category: Ezekiel |
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Tags: Denominationalism
PHall | November 17, 2018
The debate about “faith only” is often set in theological tones. But should it? Instead, should it be culturally linguistic connected? Let’s play around with a couple of words. Are we to have faith? Yes. Are we to be full of faith? Yes again. Are we to be faithful? Absolutely? Is Jesus faithful? Thankfully. Does […]
Category: Bible |
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Tags: Baptism, Denominationalism
PHall | October 24, 2018
In my younger days, you should have seen me dunk! I soared, did one-handed and two-handed dunks, 360’s, and others. I was amazing on that 8 foot goal! What? The goal is supposed to be 10 foot high? But then I couldn’t dunk! But then I couldn’t be amazing! Standards. Objective truths. They ruin everything! […]
Category: Exodus |
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Tags: Denominationalism