Bible | AGW MINISTRIES

What Does 1 Timothy 2:15 Mean? “women will be saved through childbearing”?

October 10, 2015October 10, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

But women will be saved through childbearing–if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.-1 Timothy 2:15

The meaning of 1 Timothy 2:15, particularly the phrase, “women will be saved through childbearing” is a notoriously difficult passage to interpret. Therefore this post is more technical and a bit longer, for as C.S. Lewis said about Christian reality, “So let us leave behind all these boys’ philosophies–these overly simple answers. The problem is not simple and the answer is not going to be simple either.”

3 Biblical Ways From Psalm 19 To Get Out Of A Spiritual Rut

September 12, 2016September 28, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

If you are stuck in a rut spiritually, Psalm 19 provides a blueprint for connecting with God. It provides the three staples every Christian should regularly engage in to stay spiritually awake.

There are many other devotional practices which can and should be done to connect with God, but Psalm 19 gives these specific three which will help us immensely in staying alive and sensitive in our relationship with God, protecting us from spiritual ruts.

Psalm 19 is broken into three sections. Psalm 19:1-6 explain how nature is God’s mouth piece. Psalm 19:7-11 describes how the word of God also speaks but actually instructs the human heart. Lastly, Psalm 19:12-14 is a personal prayer from the heart to God for holiness.

Bible Verses on Church Discipline

December 15, 2015September 28, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Below are Bible verses on church discipline. While “church discipline” usually only refers to “casting the immoral brother out,” this article takes a wider lens. Church discipline in its most broad sense includes all the acts in which church leaders employ to “discipline” their church.

By “discipline,” this does not only mean correct; in its most general meaning, “discipline” translates to “disciple.” This type of discipline includes instruction, encouragement, correction, and many other actions done for the benefit of those being led.

While these Bible verses primarily relate to church discipline, these leadership qualities can be used by any leader in any sphere of influence.

Not all leadership comes in the same package. Not all situations require the same actions. Therefore, leaders should show their love through different levels of discipline. So here are 9 levels of discipline supported in the Bible through which Christian leaders can love those they lead.

What Does It Mean to “Crave Pure Spiritual Milk”? 1 Peter 2:2

December 18, 2015September 24, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Bible Verse: Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation . . . -1 Peter 2:2

If you’ve ever been around a newborn baby, you know that the one thing they need above everything else is there mother’s milk. My daughter came out of the womb hollering, kicking and screaming. She was completely unappreciative of all the work that the hospital staff, myself, and especially her mother had just done to get her out safely. No “thank you,” no smiles, no warm hugs upon the first time she felt her parents’ warm embrace. Just passionate screams. All the girl wanted was milk!

As soon as she latched on to her mother, she went completely silent. This is how Peter tells believers they should act towards the word of God in 1 Peter 2:2. Newborn babies instinctively know how in need they are of their mother’s milk. Besides it providing fuel to live, a mother’s breast milk provides essential vitamins and immune fighting nutrients to strengthen the infant’s weak system. Aside from the physical health factors, psychologically the baby feels warmth and loved by snuggling up to her mother skin to skin.

Does God Speak through the Bible or the Holy Spirit?

August 7, 2018September 24, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

How does God speak to us? Does the Bible or the Holy Spirit teach us everything we need to know about God? Does the Bible or the Holy Spirit lead us to an intimate relationship with the Father? Does the Bible or the Holy Spirit fill us with the power to obey and have the knowledge to please God? According to the Bible, the answer is “the Holy Spirit” to all of these questions.

What the Bible does claim, however, is that the Holy Spirit will speak through the Scriptures to teach us about God.

Proof the Bible is God’s Word: The Clear, Consistent Call of the Gospel

June 11, 2016September 23, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

proof the bible is Godsword_ telephone — Bible Verses: 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. – Galatians 3:7-9

What proof is there that the Bible is truly inspired by God? Is there any concrete evidence that the message of Scripture is truly divinely authoritative in a way no other book is? What support do Christians have for claiming the Bible is really God’s written, perfect, infallible word?

Have you ever played the game “telephone?” If not, you start with a large group of people sitting in a circle.

Proof the Bible is God’s Word: Joseph was a Prefiguring of Jesus in Old Testament Scripture

December 15, 2015September 23, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

The whole Bible is ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ and his gospel work. As we look at the life of Joseph, you can’t help but see how God was pointing us ahead to the life of Jesus.

Proof the Bible is God’s Word: Scripture Has Never Disappeared

October 7, 2015September 22, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Bible Verse:
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.-Mark 13:31

(Note: This blog is part of a series of blogs, “Proof the Bible is God’s Word.” Since the Bible claims to be the supreme authority on truth, logically, the Bible must be self-authenticating. If it really is the word of God, it must prove itself true as no other authority could if the Scriptures are the supreme authority on truth. As Charles Spurgeon stated, “Defend the Bible? I would as soon defend a lion! Unchain it and it will defend itself.”)

Throughout the history of the world, God’s word has been under attack.

Proof the Bible is God’s Word : Using Man to Write the Scriptures

December 15, 2015September 22, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Bible Verse:

For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.-2 Peter 1:21

One common objective to the Bible being the perfect and divinely inspired word of God is that it was written by the hands of men. Why would God use imperfect people to write his perfect Scriptures?

Proof the Bible is God’s Word: Scripture is Consistently All About Christ

September 29, 2015September 22, 2015 by Mark Ballenger

Bible Verses: John 5:39, John 15:26, 2 Peter 1:21

Why do I believe the Bible? What proof is there that the Bible is true?