Author: Stan Cox

The title of the first book of the Bible, Genesis, is a greek word meaning “origin” or “beginning.” Similarly, the Hebrew title is taken from the first phrase, “In the beginning.”

The book of Genesis gives us a glimpse of the origin of humanity. It has fallen into disrepute in the last couple of centuries as men have developed other ideas regarding our beginning. Science has adopted the theory of evolution to describe how we came about. Due to the scientific method of inquiry, the theory has limitations. Though it has been accepted as correct by a large part of the world’s population.
In contrast, faith in an Omnipotent Creator as an explanation for our existence has lost adherents over the years.

Here are a few things I would like for you to consider:

• The scientific method relies upon the validation of hypotheses through repeated experimentation leading to consistent data. This is why the concept of evolution between kinds (a Biblical concept) has not been validated. It can’t be observed scientifically, as what is posited is to have taken place over millions of years.
• The data that exists regarding both stellar evolution and the evolution of life can be described in light of a supernatural omnipotent being. The fact that this is not demonstrable by the scientific method, or that its origin is ancient, does not mean its not true. For the Christian, the belief that “God made it that way” is unacceptable to much of modern society. There is a bias regarding our own time. Progress in technology and scientific discoveries have made men arrogant, thinking we are brighter than those who have gone on before.
• Scientific views of where, when and how life originated can’t be scientific. They are speculations based upon the theory of evolution itself. Science is limited in this way.

The Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1); and, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:26-27).

There is a reason why this explanation has staying power, though some have rejected it. It is truth, and all you have to do is look at the universe to see the beautiful proof of design and that Designer! “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalms 19:1). Many choose science as their religion. We look at the evidence and know our God and Father to be from where we came!

In Psalm 32:5, King David wrote the following words, “I acknowledged my sin to You [God], and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” What a blessing and joy to know that if we are willing to confess and repent of our sins, God is always just to forgive us!

The apostle John in his first letter stated the same sentiment with the same exact confidence, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Toward the end of David’s psalm he wrote, “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (10-11).

The way of wickedness leads to perdition and sorrow. Anecdotal examples are all around us. It is a lie to think that happiness and value can be seen in a live lived for self rather than God. Only eternal sorrow is the end of those who reject God.

But, as Christians, we have every reason to rejoice! You note that David instructs, “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous.” O how wonderful is our God! How worthy of praise is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Near his death, David instructed Solomon to build the temple of the Lord, which he did.  David’s words, recorded in 1 Chronicles 28, serve as a text giving us needed instruction regarding our duties toward God and the promise of blessings to the obedient.

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A discussion of our collective responsibilities to be a faithful congregation of God. To defend truth, to Love God and Neighbor, to strive for unity.

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Just a few years before the exile of Judah into Babylonian captivity, the prophet Jeremiah warned the Jews of their judgment and the years of desolation that would follow. He wrote, “And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. ‘Then it will come to pass, when seventy years are completed, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity,’ says the LORD; and I will make it a perpetual desolation” (Jeremiah 25:11-12).

It is this prophecy of Jeremiah to which Daniel referred in Daniel chapter 9. As a young man, he was taken by Nebuchadnezzar in the first wave of captives (cf. Daniel 1:7). Chronologically, this chapter takes place in the first year of Darius the Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans. In effect, the prophecy of Jeremiah was coming true. Continue reading “Understanding by the Books” →

There is a wonderful passage of scripture in 2 Samuel 22 where David thanks and praises God for his deliverance. David had been through so many trials in his time after being anointed by Samuel to be king. He had to hide from the murderous intent of Saul. He had suffered the great indignity of his son Absalom committing treason, very nearly taking his kingdom away from him. He had battled enemies of Israel throughout his reign. In verse one we are told, “Then David spoke to the Lord the words of this song, on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.” Continue reading “I Will Call Upon the Lord” →

The text of Psalm 110:4, to which the Hebrew writer here refers, contains a direct oath (an affirmation on an oath, this word is only used three times in the New Testament, all in the Hebrew letter). This is a Divine and unbreakable promise that the priesthood of Melchizedek will be eternal. No such promise was made to the priests under the Old Covenant.

This proves that this new covenant is a better one than the old covenant which tempted the readers of the epistle. No just better, but “so much better.”

Jesus is the guarantee that the new covenant is much better than the old. The Hebrew writer’s audience knew just how often death had taken the men who served as priests in the old covenant. In the case of men, “life is even a vapor that appears for a little time” (James 4:14).

But Jesus lives forever, and since this is so, there is never any change in the priesthood. The obvious result of this, as indicated in verse 25, is the inexhaustible ability of Christ to save as He always live to intercede.

A discussion of chapters 1 and 2 of 1 Samuel, examining the promise and prayer of Hannah, the mother of Samuel.  Samuel became a great prophet after being “loaned to the Lord” for all the days of his life.  His mother was blessed by God for devotion and steadfastness.

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The wise man who wrote the book of Proverbs said, “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on” (Proverbs 4:14).

Thousands of years after the creation of man, many think themselves very capable of identifying what is truly evil. Yet with this supposed knowledge of right and wrong, it is obvious that evil persists and even flourishes in our day.

I submit that people are less knowledgeable than they think. For every condemnation of murder there is a rationalization of the act in any particular circumstance. Too often men designate what they do not like as evil, and pronounce what they desire as good. In effect, the concept of right and wrong varies depending on who you talk to. Few will accept the contention that right and wrong can be objectively attained, or know how it can be done! Continue reading “Knowing Right Before God” →

There are several New Testament texts that detail the responsibilities to be found in a family as God would have it. One of these is Colossians 3:18-21, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”

In this short text, Paul concisely describes the primary responsibility of each party. He does the same in Ephesians 6:1-ff. Put simply, The husband is to love. The wife is to submit. The children are to obey. The father is to discipline and instruct in a righteous and loving way. If we add to this Paul’s instruction that the older women teach the young women to “love their children” and be “homemakers,” we get a pretty clear role of everyone in a typical family (Titus 2:4). Continue reading “A God Fearing Home” →

Here we have a mention of the strength of the type/antitype argument being made. It is evident that Jesus couldn’t serve as High Priest in the Old Covenant. It is even MORE evident that a priest arising in the likeness of Melchizedek is superior to the old.

The high priesthood of Jesus is eternal. “You are a priest forever…” His life is endless.

Because of this we know that what was former has passed away. It has been annulled. This is significant and important because true perfection could not come under the old law. In Hebrews 10:4 we are told, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.” As is stated here, “because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law made nothing perfect” (18-19).

Jesus priesthood, the eternal High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek is the “bringing in of a better hope.” Because of His offering of Himself and His everlasting mediation on our behalf, Jesus supplies for us an intimacy with God that was not possible under the law of Moses. Access is no longer restricted. We can approach God’s throne freely!