As we conclude our study on the books of 1st and 2nd Peter, what are the major themes brought out in these epistles? What does Peter have to say about persecution, the suffering of Christ, the Second Coming, and the Judgment? What do these things mean for Christian faith and practice? Are Christians saved by grace to continue in sin? How did Peter view the importance of Scripture?

 

 

 

How important was unity to the early church? How did Paul endeavor to keep unity? On what matters did he stick to principle? Why was the early church split over issues like circumcision and the customs of Moses? What can we learn from them about unity and dealing with conflict? Can the church always be united? Were the apostles always in agreement?

 

 

 

What does Paul mean by Justification by faith alone? What is faith? How should we understand justification? Why does Paul emphasize that no one is justified by the works of the law? What are the works of the law? What does this mean for Christians today? If we live by faith does it mean we don’t have to be obedient? Did Paul teach that we are saved to live immorally? What does it mean to live by the faith of the Son of God?

Elder John Spellman preaches on being patient in God's timing. Do we wait on God's promises? Are there times when we try to help God out just like Abraham and Sarah? Sometimes lack of patience leads to us trying to reinterpret God's promises when we don't see things happen as we expect them to. We need more faith and trust in God.

What does it mean to live and walk by the Spirit? Is walking by the Spirit contrary to the law of God? What happens in the life of one who lives under the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Why is there a spiritual war between the flesh and the Spirit within every believer? Can we be victorious in that war? What does it mean to be convicted and converted?

What does walking in the Spirit mean for Christians in the Church? How can we carry one another’s burdens? What burdens can individuals only carry themselves? How do we fulfill the law of Christ in helping one another? Is the law of Christ different from God’s law? What does Paul mean by his metaphor of sowing and reaping?

What does the Bible say about the nature of humanity? Is the human condition making progress? Are we getting closer and closer to perfection? What measure is used to determine the state of humanity? Are all really guilty of sin? What is the sinner’s only hope? How can we understand the concepts of righteousness, sin, faith, and the gospel? Why do we need salvation? What happens when people reject the gospel and try to live without God?

Elder John Spellman of the Babylon SDA Church preaches on Jesus message to Peter in Luke 22. Jesus warned that Satan desired Peter to sift him as wheat. In the same way the devil is desiring to sift people in the church today. But Jesus still intercedes and we must strengthen one another when we've been converted.

What does salvation by grace through faith mean for the Christian? Are we saved to live in sin? Does being a Christian mean the law can be disregarded? Are Christians still bound to its moral precepts? What does the Holy Spirit do in the life of the believer? Is there a human element of cooperation with God? How can we yield and surrender our will to God? Can believers really have victory over sin?