Monthly Archives: December 2010

According to John’s Gospel, how is someone saved? (John 1:12-13) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human … Continue reading →

A hendiadys? Now, Morris’s idea that “water and Spirit” means something like “spiritual seed” is more possible that it appears at first glance. He is arguing for a figure of speech known as a hendiadys — where two adjectives or … Continue reading →

Nicodemus Born or begotten? We considered Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in the “before” post. But we need to consider Nicodemus further. He’d never read a Gospel or Romans. The only baptism he knew was John the Baptist’s, if he knew … Continue reading →

We don’t usually think of this as a baptism passage. And maybe it’s not. But there are good reasons to think that baptism is at least in the background. (Joh 4:7-15 ESV) 7 A woman from Samaria came to draw … Continue reading →

Guy asked, Where are the miraculous gifts? If all the passages you’re mentioning are meant to include us–21st century disciples–where are the miraculous manifestations? Where are the tongues, the healings, the interpretations, the prophecies, the visible floating fires, etc.? If … Continue reading →

[This is taken from Born of Water, my book on baptism. It's edited, but not greatly changed. But after I loaded this into the blogging software, I re-thought my position. And so I thought it might be helpful to post … Continue reading →

Mark Scibilia The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. [Numbers 6:24-26] Y’varekh’ka ADONAI v’yishmerekha Ya’er … Continue reading →

What if I told you You have the power To give someone hope Beyond their wildest dreams What if I told you It’s right there in your hands In your hands It’s hard to imagine How something so small Can … Continue reading →

Alison Krauss and Union Station (not exactly a Christmas song, but I like it) I’ve seen hard times and I’ve been told There isn’t any wonder that I fall Why do we suffer, crossing off the years There must be … Continue reading →

Lydia and Crispus (Act 16:13-15 ESV) 13 And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had … Continue reading →