Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

A note about the archive index containing all Bible lessons posted on this blog since its inception in 2019.   An index for  all lessons  posted from 2019 through 2021, was published on  September 7, 2022. An index for all lessons posted in 2022, was published  J anuary 24, 2023. An index for all lessons posted in 2023 was posted on  February 28, 2024.  Each index lists lesson titles and the date each one was posted, so that you can study subjects that we have written about. Below is a link that will take you to the YouTube channel of Heritage Baptist Church in Smithville, Ohio, where my wife and I are members. Pastor Mike Alvis asked me to assume teaching the adult Sunday school class last October and we are currently working our way through this wonderful book of Ezra. This lessons focuses on how the house of God was finally completed. We learned that each Christian is a work in progress and that God will keep working to conform us to Christ, until t...

Paul is using his knowledge as a well trained Jew to connect Old Testament pictures with New Testament realities. He is doing this to show the Corinthians about the dangers of having all spiritual blessings in Christ, but living immorally. Each Christian must learn to understand and apply God's truth in our lives. James 1:19-22  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:  20)  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.  21)  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  22)  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  The Corinthians were not ignorant of Divine truth from God but they were ignorant of the application of these truths. This is the same problem Christians will always face in each generation. We cannot be content to hear the Word of G...

Ignorance of spiritual truth breeds complacency and leads us astray. 1 Corinthians 10:1  Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;  The Spirit of God directed Paul to use Israel's failures as an example to warn the Corinthians and all Christians. He listed five blessings that God poured out upon the Jewish nation but possessing such great blessings is no safeguard against error such as apostasy. Paul's point is reminding us all that even though we have all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ we cannot be complacent (See Ephesians 1:3). We must guard against seducing pleasures or doctrines of devils (See 1 Timothy 4:1). We must contend for the faith once delivered to all saints (Jude 1:3). The words "I would not that ye should be ignorant"   means that  Paul is not speaking about the Corinthians being ignorant of the gospel.  He is showing them that they ...

We now move into chapter ten of First Corinthians and Paul has two main subjects that the Spirit of God guided him to address.  Idolatry is the first topic Paul speaks to and doing all for the glory of God is the second. Idolatry happens when we give more of our love, time, energy and resources to something or someone other than our wonderful God. Relationships, hobbies, vocation pursuits, academic achievement, wealth, real estate, cars and many more things can be idolatrous.   The Corinthians were ignorant of spiritual truth about idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4  Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2)  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;  3)  And did all eat the same spiritual meat;  4)  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Chris...

Though free, Paul saw himself a slave to all in order to win souls for Christ.  1 Corinthians 9:19  For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. Paul wrote more New Testament epistles than all of the other apostles combined and in them we have an excellent blueprint for ministry, church leadership, and church planting. The Spirit of God guided Paul to expound about his ministry and strategy for preaching the gospel.  He considered himself free from all men He was a free born Roman citizen which gave him some important legal standing that he used effectively.  More than half of the population in areas governed by Rome were slaves and subject to compulsory service. Paul was free but he saw himself as subject to all men for the sake of the gospel. He became a servant to all in order to win as many new converts to Christ as possible. Paul's ministry was marked by the principle of self sacrifice and serving the Lo...