Love Fulfilled Ministry

Introduction: A Gospel-Defining Moment The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 represents one of the most decisive moments in church history. At stake was nothing less than the nature of the gospel itself. The controversy began with a stark claim: "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved" (Acts 15:1). This wasn't a debate about cultural preferences or minor rituals. It was a fundamental question: What constitutes salvation? What governs belonging among God's people? Is the gospel administered through the Mosaic Law, or through grace in Christ? The council's purpose was clear: to preserve the gospel as God's action in Christ—received by faith—rather than restructuring it into a Law-based entry system governed by the old written code. Peter's Argument: The Center Holds Peter established the theological foundation. God gave the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles "just as he did to us," he testified, "making no distinc...

  The Promised Holy Spirit Introduction: The Promises of God and the Gift of His Spirit When Scripture speaks of the promises of God, it does not describe outcomes or blessings detached from relationship. God’s promises are covenantal in nature—rooted in His faithfulness to give Himself to a people and to dwell among them. From the beginning, the promises of God move steadily toward one central reality: restored communion between God and those He calls His own. Among all that God promises, the gift of His Spirit stands at the center—not because redemption, the cross, or forgiveness are secondary, but because the Spirit is the promised result toward which redemption itself moves. The cross is the means by which God fulfills the promises. Because God is holy, the righteous requirements of His justice had to be satisfied before His Spirit could dwell within redeemed humanity. As the writer of Hebrews makes clear, a covenant is established through death, and the New Covenant is inaugur...

There is such a great promise of eternal life to the elect, through faith and knowledge of truth, "to the extent of the hope of eternal life, which God can not lie, promised before times eternal. Now, brought to light in his word at his own timing..." (Titus 1:2) Before time began God made a promise, established it on his oath,  there being nothing greater to  establish it on, but accordingly to  his purpose by which he can not lie.  "just as he chose us in him before creation of the world to exist holy and blameless in his presence in love predestining us for adoption as his own through Jesus Christ..." (Ephesians 1:4-5).    For those chosen this promise is very precious and honorable and effective. It is a promise that God will always be with us even to the end of the age. It is a promise he is working out all for good to those called according to His purpose. The promise is fulfilled through "predestinating us for adoption"  and adoption is of the S...

Obedience Presupposes God's Work Beforehand Biblical obedience does not originate in autonomous human willpower but presupposes divine persuasion that produces maturity; faith, renewal of the mind, and enables discernment. Therefore, in both the Old and New Testaments, obedience is consistently presented as the fruit of maturity; being fully convinced and prepared beforehand by God. Biblical Order Reinforced An error in theological discourse is the inversion of biblical order: obedience is often treated as the precondition of faith, discernment, and maturity rather than their consequence. This inversion produces a moralistic framework that pressures compliance while bypassing persuasion, renewal, and transformation.  When inverted, when obedience is positioned as the precondition for faith and discernment, theological authority shifts from God’s persuasive self-revelation to human intermediaries who claim to speak on His behalf. While some may, we are warned others will not. Th...

Introduction: Promise Before Time and Purpose Revealed in Christ Scripture speaks of eternal life not merely as a future possession, but as a promise established before time itself. According to Paul, this promise was not grounded in human response or historical contingency, but in the unchangeable purpose of God, who cannot lie. As Titus declares: “In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal, but manifested at His own proper time in His word through the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the command of God our Savior.” (Titus 1:2–3) Eternal life, then, is not a secondary benefit added later to salvation. It is a promise rooted in God’s own oath and truthfulness, conceived before creation and revealed in history according to His timing. In Ephesians, Paul unfolds what this eternal promise was always ordered toward. God’s saving work is framed not as reaction, but as purpose—intentional, directed, and destined for fulfillment. “Jus...