Antipas

When last did you do greater works than Jesus?

Do you find it a shocking question? Well, it is based on a very explicit promise of our Lord.

This verse has been the source of much controversy. It has precipitated uncertainties and doubts in countless hearts. It has been used to support heresies and deceptions without number.
But it is written, nevertheless - black on white! There is no doubt whatsoever about its textual authenticity. And the NASB translation is above criticism.

The real and the counterfeit

NOT JUST ANY FAITH

• The Bible is very clear on the fact that God's forgiveness and justification can only become a reality in a person's life through faith. But this is not true of just any faith. There are many types of faith, and they come to expression in a thousand ways. Every person in the world practices faith - in fact, one cannot imagine life without it. Even the small deposit I make in the bank, is an act of faith, because I believe that I will be able to get it back again!
  Saving faith is something very specific! And to have absolute clarity about what it really entails, is literally a matter of life and death. It is ever so frighteningly easy to live your entire life under the illusion that you are saved, while in fact you have nothing but the false and futile faith against which we are warned throughout Scripture.
  It is even possible to have a faith which is very orthodox - but in vain! (James 2:14-26)

The key to understanding the Gospel

THE FACT AND ORIGIN OF SIN

• Sin is a universal fact. It is the daily experience of every person who has ever lived, anywhere on earth. There is no exception. This is taught by the Bible and confirmed by our own experience and observation. And because this is true, all people die, "for the wages of sin is death ..." (Rom 6:23). ['Death’ in the Bible, of course means more than just physical death.]
• How then are we to understand this? What is the origin of sin? The key to these questions is to be found in the Biblical doctrine of Original Sin.

Part 2: Good works prepared in advance

Christian obedience, and in particular good works, is our theme. There is a fascinating verse in the letter to the Ephesians, which spreads much light on this topic.