Yearly Archives: 2019

Philippians 2:7 and the Incarnation

Jack Cottrell Posted on by

            QUESTION:   In our Bible study we are examining Paul’s letter to the Philippians.  In chapter 2, verse 7, the text we are using (the NASB) translates it as saying that Jesus “emptied Himself.”  Our preacher says that this means that when God the Son became a human being, “he laid down his divinity” or “gave up his divine nature.”  Is this really what that verse is saying?           ANSWER:  I’m sorry that I have to disagree with your preacher, but this is an impossible understanding of this passage.  Here Paul is talking about the second person of the Trinity, … Continue reading →

IS BAPTISM A WORK?

Jack Cottrell Posted on by

IS BAPTISM A WORK? By Jack Cottrell, 9/13/2019       QUESTION:  Why do so many followers of Jesus Christ deny the clear teaching of Scripture, that Christian baptism is the time when God bestows salvation upon sinners?       ANSWER:   [I have written and published my answer to this question many times, but I am happy to do so again.  Actually, after sixty-plus years of studying Bible doctrine, I consider what follows here to be my most significant insight.]         This is a good question.  To be fair, we need to recognize that many if not most people who have worn the … Continue reading →

THE ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

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THE ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, GREENDALE, INDIANA Jack Cottrell – August 11, 2019         Isaiah 61:10 – “I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” INTRODUCTION.  Are you ready for the Judgment Day?         A.    “Being ready” often means, “Are you appropriately dressed?”         B.    Being ready for the Judgment Day requires us to be wearing … Continue reading →

HOW CAN JESUS BE AMAZED?

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HOW CAN JESUS BE AMAZED? JACK COTTRELL, APRIL 2019         QUESTION:  My King James Version says in Mark 14:33 that when Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane the night before His death, He “began to be sore amazed.”  My 1901 American Standard Version likewise says He “began to be greatly amazed, and sore troubled.”  How could Jesus, who is God the Logos as well as a human being, be AMAZED?  Does not God foreknow everything?  How could anything “amaze” Jesus?        ANSWER:  This is indeed an interesting question.  Mark is the only Gospel writer who puts it this way, but … Continue reading →