#authentic

Jan 23
3 min

The Holy Spirit in Romans (Part 3)

The Holy Spirit produces righteousness (Romans 8:10). If Christ is in the body of a Christian they are dead. They have died with Christ through the process of baptism (Romans 6:1-4). This burial is also the process that allows Christians to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Therefore, Christians are made righteous in Christ. This can only take place with baptism and the continual cleansing. The Holy Spirit quickens our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11). Our mortal body, now ful

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jan 17
3 min

The Holy Spirit in Romans (Part 2)

God’s Holy Spirit helps to alter our thinking. To be “spiritually minded” brings life eternal and peace. The carnal mind opposes the will of God and refuses to obey him. Because those attitudes can never be reconciled with following Christ, they must be cleansed from all who seek to “please God” (Romans 8:8). So those who have the Holy Spirit, will be spiritually minded, and therefore, this will produce life. The opposite, being carnal minded, will lead to death. The Holy S

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jan 9
3 min

The Holy Spirit in Romans (Part 1)

Romans has much to say about the Holy Spirit of God. Romans 5:5 tells us that the Holy Spirit dispenses God’s love into our hearts. The Holy Spirit also bears witness to the truth in our conscience (Romans 9:1). But the most revealing part of the Holy Spirit’s work is found in chapter eight. That is a text that summarizes how the Holy Spirit worked both in the New Testament times and today. The Holy Spirit delivers Christians from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2). In the first few

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Jan 2
2 min

The Holy Spirit in Paul's Letters

Several weeks ago we started a series of lessons on the Holy Spirit. Our goal was to shine light on this topic. We have already noted that due to some false teaching within Christendom, and even in our fellowship of the churches of Christ, people have misunderstood the nature and work of the Holy Spirit. One who knew this subject much more than we could imagine is the apostle Paul. He wrote about the Holy Spirit often in his letters. Paul is the one who tells us that the Ho

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Dec 19, 2022
3 min

The Unity of the Spirit (Part 3)

As we have moved through these thoughts, the past few weeks, you may have noticed a pattern. Each of these characteristics, commanded of us in Scripture, appear together in a familiar passage of Scripture. After Paul encouraged the churches of Galatia to abandon the works of the flesh he said, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Remember the words of Jesus in John 1

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Dec 12, 2022
3 min

The Unity of the Spirit (Part 2)

God wants us to have the spirit of kindness, because He is kind (Ephesians 2:4-7). The word “kind” should draw your mind back to the book of Genesis as God made everything after its own “kind” (Genesis 1). As humans we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Man was created from the dust of the ground and woman was formed from man. There is no other creation like us. We are made in the likeness of God. To be “kind” is to be like God in every sense of the word.

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Dec 7, 2022
7 min

Hidden or Lost Books of the Bible?

It seems like every few years there is a resurgence of biblical critics, unhinged doubters and zealous accusers that seek to challenge the authority of God's Word. Many of these individuals are bent on destroying the credibility and challenging the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures. A simple Google search will reveal that there are several books written on the subject of "lost" or "hidden" books of the Bible. If you have doubts just browse Amazon. Hundreds of blogs, thousan

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Dec 5, 2022
3 min

The Unity of the Spirit (Part 1)

In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul expresses the need for Christian unity. Notice the emphasis on the word “one” throughout this book. Unity and “one-ness” seem to be a consistent theme in many of his other writings. However, in the book of Ephesians the topic of unity takes center stage. One of the ways Paul directs us to be unified is to have “one spirit” (Ephesians 4:4). What does that mean to have one spirit? Is it possible to have “one spirit” as we work toge

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Nov 28, 2022
2 min

Revive Your Spiritual Life

Several weeks ago I was working on a bulletin article about personal revival and we noticed a passage in Ezekiel 37. In that passage we find a story about Ezekiel and how he is shown a valley of dry bones. He preached to the valley of bones and they stood up like a great army. By the Word of God they were given the spirit they needed to live. We need God’s word to make us live again and revive!!! Is your own spiritual life a valley of dry bones? I want you to know that l

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Nov 21, 2022
2 min

The Work of the Holy Spirit

Take a glance through the book of Acts. Just as we saw in the gospels, you will see that the Holy Spirit is alive and at work on every page. One of the questions frequently asked is, “How does the Holy Spirit work?” If we look through the book of Acts will find that He worked through miracles, signs, wonders, and works. In some of those events He worked in a miraculous way (temporary) and in others it was more natural (eternal). They can be divided into seven categories: 1)

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Nov 8, 2022
6 min

Criticism Is A Cry For Help

Why are we compelled to get into Facebook debates? We know that sparring on social media is never profitable. Yet we often defend our honor, (or the honor of those with whom we agree) in order to win the argument. It usually ends up with us suffering from high blood pressure and low self-esteem. Emotions are high. Lines are drawn. Friends are lost. Can you relate? Have you ever thought that doing the right thing was going to be the "right thing" to do? It's funny how saying t

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Is the Holy Spirit Working, Retired or Unemployed?

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Nov 7, 2022
3 min

Is the Holy Spirit Working, Retired or Unemployed?

Take a trip to the unemployment office and you will see people out of work. Take a trip to the beach and you’ll see people taking some time off for vacation. Is that what happened to the Holy Spirit? Did He retire after the first century? Did the Father recall Him back to Heaven like a puppy? Does the Son have no further need for Him in His church? There is significant evidence to prove that this thinking is preposterous! Pure foolishness. And even dangerous! One might

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Nov 1, 2022
2 min

THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD

There is a strange new teaching being circulated around the brotherhood today concerning the Holy Spirit. A new teaching that both frustrates and confuses me. I use the term “new” loosely because in sense it has only re-surfaced in a fresh approach. Solomon tells us that there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). This false teaching is that the Holy Spirit is the lowest, weakest, and/or least important part of the Godhead. Some might say the Holy Spirit is virtua

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Oct 17, 2022
3 min

How Can We Have Spiritual Unity?

In our worship services we sing songs about unity. We pray for unity. In the Bible we read about unity. Unity in the Spirit is required for Christian believers. In this article, I want to share with you four things about Spiritual unity. (1) SPIRITUAL UNITY REQUIRES CHRIST-LIKE LOVE. Love to all saints means love unfeigned and authentic. This kind of love produces honesty, sympathy, and genuine care for others. It is a love that produces benevolence, tenderness, pity,

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10 REASONS SHOULD WE STUDY THE OLD TESTAMENT?

Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Oct 3, 2022
5 min

10 REASONS SHOULD WE STUDY THE OLD TESTAMENT?

Have you ever wondered why there are two "testaments" in the Bible? We call them the "old" and the "new" testaments, but why? Most people have difficulty with how to treat the Old Testament (esp. the Law of Moses). This has plagued the church since its foundation (read Galatians) as to how Christians should interpret it and apply it. Even though the Law of Christ is far superior to the Law of Moses (read Hebrews), still people have favorite sections they do not want to leav

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Sep 12, 2022
3 min

THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE

I love movies. Old or new. Western or Comedy. Sci-fi or Drama. If you ever make it to a game show and need a lifeline for 1980's movies trivia, just call me. You name it and I've probably seen it. A close friend of mine and I often joke about just how many movies I have seen over the years. In the 1980s the television was my babysitter and I camped in front of the television. Snacks and drink in hand. Some movies start at warp speed. In Star Wars they call this "hyperspace."

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Sep 11, 2022
2 min

September 11: A Day To Remember

September 11 is day to remember a time in our nation when we put aside our politics, our traditions, our opinions, and our disagreements to focus on what really matters... LIFE. On this day, many of us realized that death is tragic, but life is precious. For me personally, I felt a connection with other Americans that I hadn’t felt before (or again) in my lifetime. We were connected to one another, though for a brief time, in a profound way. Our hearts and prayers were f

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Sep 5, 2022
2 min

Your Story is Still Being Written

The website "Statista" recently reported that according to their research from 2018 to 2021 around 30% of Christians do not read their Bible. Are you intimidated by the Bible? You’re not alone. Many people feel that way. Probably because they cannot get past the long genealogies, lists of rules, and characters. It contains names like Jehoshaphat, Nebuchadnezzar, Epaphroditus, Onesimus and others that sound like terrible diseases! Maybe people are apprehensive about reading th

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Aug 22, 2022
2 min

Can You Handle the Truth?

What is truth? Pilate asked this question to Jesus about 2000 years ago. People still wonder what truth really is and how it can be applied. In many respects, the idea of truth is under attack. I want us to consider what it means to speak the truth, think the truth, and live the truth. What does it mean to us personally? How can we grow and practice self control when it comes to the truth? ARE YOU SPEAKING THE TRUTH ABOUT YOURSELF? Self-esteem is a popular topic right now. Wh

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Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.

Aug 17, 2022
2 min

Naming Your Demons

An elder I worked with for several years would greet those who responded to the invitation. Sundays and Wednesdays we always offer am invitation, without fail. It is often difficult for people to respond, but when they do we always take a special interest in whatever is on their heart. This particular elder would often ask the respondents, “Can you name your demon?” I thought that to be quite odd and almost insulting. Are they responding for prayer, baptism or repentance? We

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