Why Did Jesus Need to Leave to Send the Holy Spirit?
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Why Did Jesus Need to Leave to Send the Holy Spirit?

Is Peter the Rock Jesus Is Building the Church Upon?

Episode 187 | Dr. Michael Horton and Adriel Sanchez answer questions on apostolic succession, if studying theology can get in the way of our relationship with the Lord, and if James contradicts Paul.

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Episode 187 Show Notes

Is Peter the Rock Jesus Is Building the Church Upon?

From the Show

James seems to imply that Abraham was justified by works while Paul says that Abraham was justified by faith. How do you understand this?



Paul doesn't talk about justification in terms of “show me.” Paul talks about justification in terms of, this is what it is. James is all about justification in terms of, “show me that you have it.” He does not say faith and works are the same thing. Nor does he say, you know, “we're justified by faith and works, don't you know?” He says, “I will show you my faith by my works. So, no, we're justified before God through faith alone, but it's never a faith that is alone. That faith that justifies immediately looks around for something to do, it's a busy thing. So, he's not addressing the question of how we're justified before God, but how we demonstrate that our faith is genuine toward others. — Michael Horton

Questions in this Episode

1. Does learning too much theology or being too intellectual get in the way of the heart and a personal relationship with God?

2. Do you think Joel 2:12, "'Even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart with fasting and weeping and mourning,'" has to do with someone who left the faith and came back?

3. Is Peter the rock that Jesus laid the foundation of the church upon? What do you guys think about apostolic succession?

4. In James 2:21-24, James implies that Abraham was justified by works while Paul in Romans 4 says that Abraham was justified by faith. How do you understand this?

Resources

From Paul to Valentinus: Christians at Rome in the First Two Centuries by Peter Lamp

Why Study Theology?

What Is True, Saving Faith?

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