‘I am crucified with Christ’ – Gal. 2. 20
Many Christians love to quote Galatians chapter 2 verse 20, particularly the part that speaks of the ‘Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me’. What an encouraging, yet amazing little phrase; to think of the love and sacrificial giving of the Lord Jesus for Paul! Today, however, like countless other believers […]
A to Z of Priests – Introduction
Scanning along my bookshelves, I noticed several interesting A-Z reference catalogues for various Bible concepts. For instance, John Heading’s Directory of New Testament Churches1 lists every local assembly mentioned in the New Testament, from Achaia to Troas. Other reference works cover The Kings of Judah and Israel2 (from Abijah to Zimri) and The Titles of […]
Unfaithful Stewards
‘Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful’, 1 Cor. 4. 2 NKJV Previously, we saw how God appointed Adam as steward over the earth. But leaving Adam in sole charge of things had not worked, so God replaced that managerial system with a new one. Under this new arrangement, each individual […]
Editor’s Introduction
As we head towards the end of another year it is good to review what we have learned so far. Written material continues to be a primary source of information for personal and professional development. No matter the technological advancement of this generation, reading is vital to being well- informed and to developing our minds. […]
Love
Fruit of the Spirit is a term that refers to nine attributes, which should characterize individual believers in the Lord Jesus. Galatians chapter 5 verses 22 to 23 lists these as: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. These are not individual fruits but rather nine characteristics of a fruitful, Spirit-controlled Christian […]
A Man
I’ve been enjoying two truths in particular from chapters 4 and 9 of John’s Gospel that I’d like to share. The great thing about reading God’s word is that we can enjoy it plus we get something from it. Sadly, I am concerned that speaking about the scriptures amongst my friends is somewhat ‘down the […]
Peace with God
One of the most famous speeches of all time is surely the one given by Martin Luther King Jr. on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. Standing looking out at the sea of faces before him he said, ‘I have a dream, that one day this nation will rise up and live out […]
Steward and Soldier
A common complaint levelled against ‘millennials’ in the workplace is a mentality which says, ‘that’s not in my job description’, accompanied by an unwillingness to take on responsibility. This should never be the attitude of a believer, in the workplace or in the assembly. Towards the end of his life and service for God, Paul […]
The Courage to Continue
On the subject of failure, Winston Churchill is alleged to have said that ‘success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts’. That sentiment marks so many of the men and women in the Bible who achieved greatness through God – the courage to continue. Such people struggle […]
Grand Unified Theology
‘having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth – in Him’, Eph. 1. […]
Editor’s Introduction
Articles from new writers continue to arrive on my desk and so I am delighted to introduce you to Phil Richardson from Harrogate. Have a read of his article where he discussed Peter’s temporary failure and how the Lord Jesus handled it. It is very helpful. The new Career Choice series continues; this issue looks […]
Fruit of the Spirit – Introduction
Visitors to New York are still impressed with the Statue of Liberty as it welcomes people to the USA. For years, this copper lady has stood as a beacon of refuge for those ‘yearning to breathe free’. She became the symbol of hope for many who sought refuge from political and economic oppression. Grace stands […]
Translation
Which version of the Bible should I read? This is one of the most emotive and controversial subjects Christians face. Knowing how the Bible is translated into English from the original languages of Hebrew and Greek will better equip us to make an informed decision. There are three main factors which influence Bible translation: 1. […]
Career Choices – Accountancy
If you thought that the Bible is silent on accounting practices, then you would be wrong. When King Josiah was collecting funds to pay for repairs to the temple the usual reckoning, or accounting, was not needed for the money due to the honesty of those involved1 It would also appear that one of the […]
The Church Which Is His Body
‘And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all’, Eph. 1. 22, 23 NKJV. The Hebrew word qahal is usually translated ‘congregation’ in the KJV and ‘assembly’ in the NKJV. In […]
Editor’s Introduction
As I intimated in the February issue of YPS, we have a new series starting in this issue – Career Choices. One of the aims of this series is to give younger believers some insight into career options and how life is for Christians in various occupations. To do this we have asked a number […]
The Canon
The English word ‘canon’ is derived from a Greek word meaning standard or measuring rod. The canon of scripture is the sixty-six books which are inspired by the Holy Spirit and present the truth of God. The canon is a short way of saying ‘all the books which belong in the Bible’. But how did […]
Is it really true?
It’s not uncommon to find, outside a railway station or a shopping centre, a well-presented stand offering literature. The titles immediately appeal to Christians: ‘Is the Bible true?’, ‘What will happen in the end times?’ However, it is important to make sure the answers are faithful to the Bible. Many such stands are peddling the […]
The Local Church
Christians are not to go solo. God expects every one of His children to be part of a local church where they can find help and support, grow and mature, get involved, and so live to bring glory to God and blessing to others. In doing this they will become more like the Lord Jesus […]
Career Choices – Introduction
As a young believer, there are, arguably, two choices that will have the greatest impact on your whole life as a Christian. The first is your choice of marriage partner and the other is your choice of career. An article in the Truth and Tidings magazine listed several questions that a Christian executive might face […]
The Grandeur That Was Rome
When I am reading a novel, I sometimes skip to the final chapter and scan it quickly to see how the story ends. Who will Hercule Poirot denounce as the murderer? Does Jane Eyre eventually marry Rochester? Can Alice escape from Wonderland? The last chapter generally brings things to a satisfactory conclusion, when loose threads […]
Twisting God’s Words
All quotations are taken from the NKJV The Chapter and Verse series is designed to help believers who are keen to study God’s word for themselves, by using the keys to interpretation which the Bible itself supplies. Articles discuss principles to apply, and pitfalls to avoid in the study of the scriptures. They will be […]
Editor’s Introduction
This issue’s set of articles maintain a focus on the word of God, how God brought the Bible to us, and a warning not to manipulate God’s word. Also in this issue of YPS we are concluding a few sets of articles. Jeremy Singer completes his studies on the book of Acts. This has been […]
The Holy Spirit and Christians
In this final study, we will look at the Holy Spirit and individual Christians. It was through Him that we learned we were sinners and needed to be saved. When the Holy Spirit spoke to us we felt our need as sinners, so we repented and believed. It was through Him that we were born […]
Transmission
All quotations are taken from the NKJV < We have considered the inspiration of scripture – how the Holy Spirit moved men to express with pen and ink the exact words God wanted them to write. Those first sheets of parchment on which they wrote are the original manuscripts. They were written in Hebrew (Old […]
The Love of Christ – No. 2
As I explained in the introduction to the first article, it is impossible to discuss a subject as vast as ‘The Love of Christ’ without writing a series of books, let alone a small article. What it may do, however, is fuel a desire that should be within all believers, to learn more of our […]
Sailing Through Storms
‘There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats’, says Ratty, one of the heroes of Wind in the Willows. The apostle Paul was similarly a frequent sailor, although his nautical adventures could hardly be described as ‘messing about’. Sailing was a major mode of transport […]
Light and Understanding
‘The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple’, Ps. 119. 130 NKJV. God wants us to understand His word. He has communicated to us simply and clearly, because He wants us to know Him, and He wants us to know how we should live. But how can we understand the […]
Editor’s Introduction
Living to please God is challenging no matter where you live. In some parts of the world, Christians are prevented from meeting together or from witnessing. In other areas opposition is rather more subtle – your biblical principles and way of thinking will be challenged by all of sorts of wrong beliefs and a godless […]
The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
In this third study, we will look at why and when the Holy Spirit came into the world. The promise of His coming. The Old Testament prophet Joel spoke about His coming, ‘and it shall come to pass … that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh’, Joel 2. 28. John the Baptist […]
Men’s Pens 2 Pet. 1. 20-21
‘No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit’, 2 Pet. 1. 20-21 NKJV. Previously we saw that the Bible is God’s complete, written revelation to us. It is ‘God-breathed’; God is […]
The Love of Christ – No. 1
It would be impossible to exhaust a subject as vast as ‘The Love of Christ’ by writing a series of books, let alone a small article. What this may do, however, is fuel a desire that should be within all believers, to learn more of our Saviour. It is precious to see how scripture provides […]
‘I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed’ – 2 Tim. 1. 12
‘Be not … ashamed of the testimony of our Lord’, 2 Tim. 1. 8. In verse 6 of chapter 1, Paul encourages Timothy to ‘stir up the gift of God’. This has the idea of a continual ‘rekindling’; just as a fire constantly needs feeding and maintaining, so does Timothy’s gift. As Timothy needed to […]
A VIP Encounter
Who is the most important person you have ever met? Perhaps it was a famous politician, a television celebrity, or a sports star? At Caesarea, the apostle Paul had an audience with King Agrippa and his princess sister, Bernice. Previously, Paul had encountered a Jewish high priest, and successive regional governors – but at this […]
Rightly Dividing – 2 Tim. 2. 15
‘Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth’, 2 Tim. 2. 15. Have you built your ark yet? It’s a direct command of scripture, you know! Genesis chapter 6 verse 14 couldn’t be clearer. In case you’re not sure how, […]
Editor’s Introduction
Welcome to Young Precious Seed (YPS). If this is the first time that you have come across YPS I hope that you find it worthwhile reading. Our aim is twofold – to encourage younger writers to write so that they can develop their gift and to present the truth of God in a way that […]
