The atonement of Jesus Christ is a theme that runs throughout the entire Bible—it is at the very heart of God’s redemptive purpose for humanity. In secular usage, the word atonement refers to reparation for a wrong or injury; it is derived from Anglo-Saxon words meaning “making at one.” Atonement...

In his epistle, the Apostle James made the observation that “if any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2). James was the half-brother of our Lord Jesus, and leader of the Jerusalem church. It must have...

To inform people of a fact is different than reminding them of a fact. To inform is to provide information not previously known; to remind is to relate information previously known but at risk of being forgotten. We heard an example of the difference in our church service today. If...

 

Faith Sees Victory! From a sermon by Elvido Ortiz, a minister of the Apostolic Faith Church in the Bronx, New York.

Faith motivates us to seek God, but we have to let our faith carry us into the victory. We need to let faith work.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped...

As a person who likes to experience new things, I appreciate that in the Gospel we can always find new depths, new heights, and new lessons with the Lord. It is never boring at all. In fact, it can be difficult to keep up! The life of a Christian is...

In our world today, we see nation after nation becoming “dechristianized”—removing all Christian influences or characteristics. Many believers around the globe live in fear for their lives due to persecution. Here in the United States, the spiritual framework that has been a hallmark since our country’s founding erodes with every...

When you take a couple of dollars from your wallet to pay for a random purchase, do you think about financial stewardship? Does it cross your mind when you pay for groceries? Not likely. But what about when you fill out an application for a student loan or a mortgage?...

Prayer is the most intimate form of communication between God and His creation, because it is the heart of man communicating with the heart of God. We need prayer, and not just prayer, but prevailing prayer. It is our lifeline to God.   

Genesis 32 gives an example of prevailing prayer....

The word conscience refers to moral awareness—it is the aspect of our intellect that reasons, makes decisions, and distinguishes right from wrong. A healthy conscience is a good thing. It directs us to the kind of walk that God wants us to have. We want to be attentive to God who...

Reading the Bible is different from studying the Bible. When we read the Bible, we go through a portion of text at a natural pace. When we study, we slow down and ponder. We ask questions and search out meanings. We consider the author, context, and background. We are on a quest for...

After receiving salvation, it is important to press on, seeking the deeper things of God. This allows one to become grounded in the Gospel and stay in the faith. In the Book of Acts, we read of new converts who were admonished in this way. The account demonstrates the importance...

All born-again believers have experienced revival. The day God forgave our sins, He brought our souls from a state of spiritual death to spiritual life, and that is what revival means—to bring to life. In His very nature, God is a reviver. He alone has the power to bring the...

The Bible opens with four great events: Creation, the fall of man in the Garden, the flood of Noah’s day, and the scattering of nations after the tower of Babel. Approximately one thousand years after the days of Noah, a transition occurs in the Book of Genesis, beginning with chapter...

In the opening comments of Paul’s epistle to the Galatians, the Apostle shared part of his testimony in order to establish that his message and authority were from God. Referencing his manner of living prior to his conversion, he acknowledged that his persecution of the Church had been “beyond measure.”...

Do you know Jesus? If you answered yes, do you really know Him or do you just know about Him? There is a great difference between actually knowing a person and just knowing about them. For example, if I asked the congregation at camp meeting, “Do you know my wife?”...

In the dictionary, fellowship is defined as “friendly association, friendly relationships, comradeships.” In the New Testament, the word fellowship is a translation of the Greek word koinonia, meaning “having in common, sharing together, participation, partnership.” Fellowship is about experiencing some degree of communion with others, and it can occur in...

Commemorations are an important part of our lives. We all have dates on our personal calendars when we celebrate milestone events—birthdays, anniversaries, and the like. As citizens of the United States, we also observe national days of remembrance such as Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.

For the followers of...

Young people in school districts around the United States typically begin a new school year about the first week of September. While this may be exciting for some, others may find that starting a different program in an unfamiliar setting is challenging or even overwhelming! The Word of God provides...

The Book of Lamentations was written by the prophet Jeremiah in about 586 B.C. following an eighteen-month siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. During the siege, both the city and Solomon’s Temple were destroyed. God had warned the Israelites in advance through prophets like Jeremiah that this would...

All of us are on a journey through life—a journey that Hebrews 12:1 refers to as “the race that is set before us.” With the start of a new calendar year, we are in effect looking ahead to a new year in this race. We cannot tell where our journey...

Every Fourth of July, I am reminded of the soldiers who fought and died for the freedoms we have and enjoy. And now as world threats turn more dangerous and terrorism is on the rise, I think about the soldiers who remain alert and prepared at all times to protect...

When I was born, my mother was extremely sick. In fact, after her third child was born, the doctors told her, “Don’t ever get pregnant again; if you do, we won’t have anything to do with you.” But lo and behold, I came along as child number four. My mom...

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us...

An excerpt from the recently updated booklet A Glimpse into the Future.

We live in exciting times where at any moment, Jesus could return to catch away His Bride—those who have repented of their sins and committed their lives to God—in the Rapture of the Church. We are...

“Importunity” is a unique word in Scripture. In Luke 11:8 we read, “I say unto you, though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.” That is the only occurrence...

About a year and a half ago, we held the funeral for my wife’s father, a man our children and grandchildren knew as Grandpa Brown. Our grandson Moses, who was not yet three at the time, had captured the idea that his great-grandfather had gone to Heaven. When it came...

Ezekiel 37:1-14:

 

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in...

Many of us have been watching with great interest as a new Apostolic Faith World Headquarters office building has been under construction. Several years ago, we hired an architect to begin designing that building. His design was based on a description of our staff needs and city building code requirements,...

All of us embrace a framework of beliefs—a set of principles or convictions by which we order our lives and make our choices. We refer to the beliefs held and taught by an individual, church, political party, or other group as their “doctrine.” Even those who claim they have no...

Belief in the Divine Trinity is at the core of the Christian faith. The Holy Trinity consists of three Persons in one who are equally and eternally the one true God: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As separate and distinct Persons, each possesses recognizable...