The Chronicles of Northside

Although sin is sin, Scripture indicates that there are degrees of sin. Take for example the Old Testament: how that God gave different provisions for a murder committed that is intentional and unintentional. The person who commits murder intentionally was to be put to death immediately (Numbers 35:16-21). The person who commits murder unintentionally, however, can go to and seek protection from one of the six cities designated for refuge and can have the opportunity to go through a trial (35:9-15). In the New Testament, Jesus Christ’s statement to Pilate stresses the fact that there are degrees of sin. Jesus told Pilate that those who brought him had the greater sin (John 19:11). Pilate was guilty but to a lesser degree than the religious leaders and Jews who heard the message of Christ. Regarding the unpardonable sin, this sin was committed by the Pharisees who deliberately ascribed the work and power of the Spirit to that of the devil (Matthew 12:22-32). They who witnessed firsthand...

Humans and animals are similar in many ways. They both are born; they grow; they get hungry; they get thirsty; they rest and sleep; they get tired; they reproduce their own kind; and they both die. However, despite the similarities, there are vast differences; primarily, that man is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7). Unlike animals, human beings exhibit the following as God’s image bearers: (1) as moral beings, we have been given the ability to choose and determine what is morally right or wrong; (2) as emotional beings, we manifest a variety of emotions such as love, anger, sadness, hatred; (3) as relational beings, we desire and long for relationships and to belong to a community (Genesis 2:18); (4) as intelligent beings, we invent, engage in debate and increase in knowledge (from building cities and cultures [Genesis 4:17, 20-22] to inventing the internet, smart phones, tablets and sending astronauts and spacecrafts to space); and finally (5) as spiritual beings, we...

Jesus was fully human. Scripture shows the full and true humanity of Jesus. First, he was made flesh and lived among men (John 1:14). Second, he demonstrated human emotions (Matthew 8:10; 26:38; John 11:33-35; 12:27; Hebrews 5:7). Third, he demonstrated human body experiences such as being born (Luke 2:7); physical growth (Luke 2:40, 52); hunger (Matthew 4:1); thirst (John 19:28); exhaustion (John 4:6); physical weakness (Matthew 4:11; Luke 23:26). Moreover, Jesus lived a Spirit-filled life (Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:1). Although we as Christians have a promise from Scripture that we will be like Him in the future (1 John 3:2-3), it is possible that we can be like Him even in our present state. The fact that the author of Hebrews exhorted his readers to persevere in the face of persecution by looking unto Jesus as the author and finisher of faith (Hebrews 12:2-3) indicates that it is possible to be like him. In addition, the apostle John asserts that those who claim to live in him must live ...

Although in Scripture we find passages describing Jesus as a Prophet (e.g. Mark 6:3-5; Luke 24:19; John 6:14) and a Teacher (e.g. Matthew 17:24; Mark 4:38; Luke 10:25; John 1:28; 8:4) believing that Jesus is God incarnate is imperative. Why? Because the essence of the gospel is that God became man and lived among humanity. Jesus Christ is the Immanuel—“God with us” (Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:14). He is the only God-Man, making him the unequivocal Savior of the world. That Jesus is God incarnate is a truth that most men and women find hard to accept. They refuse to believe that they are not able to save themselves from the righteous wrath of God (Romans 1:18-32) and it is wholly through Jesus Christ that one can be saved (John 14:6; Romans 10:9-13; Acts 16:31). 

After creating the universe, God did not leave His creation to run its own course. The Lord, who is sovereign, continues to be actively involved in the universe, even in the affairs of men. As seen in many passages, the Lord declares His ownership of the earth and all that is contained in it (e.g. Deuteronomy 10:14; Psalm 89:11; 24:1; 1 Corinthians 10:26). Furthermore, in Scripture we see God asserting His rightful ownership of all humanity (Ezekiel 18:4); Israel (Leviticus 20:26; Ezekiel 16:8; Isaiah 43:1); and the church (John 17:6, 9; 1 Corinthians 3:23; 2 Corinthians 10:7; Galatians 5:24). Man, whom God created to become His image bearers, was also given the ability to choose. Hence, man is accountable for his decisions. One example of this is Nebuchadnezzar. He was warned beforehand by Daniel that if he does not acknowledge the sovereign God, there will be consequences. Unfortunately, his pride went to his head and he lived like an animal for seven years (Daniel 4:31-33). The ange...

With this question, two things come to mind: (1) Its origin, and (2) Its authority. First, the Bible indicates that although human authors penned the sacred writings, God is the ultimate author (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21).  Second, the Bible’s authority does not rest on its human authors but its divine author, God Himself (Ibid). This fact is what makes the Bible authoritative. Its authority lays on its divine origin—God. The Bible as the authoritative Word of God means that it should be our basis in all areas of life, faith and practice. In my own Christian life and pastoral ministry, it is central. It is my authority and the authority by which to God’s people because it is God’s Word. I take my calling as a minister of the gospel seriously in view of who God is and His Lordship over all.

Yes. I believe that God reveals Himself to everyone. First, God reveals Himself through creation. Psalms 19:1 says that “the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiworks.” Paul also made this clear in Romans 1:19-20 where he says, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” Second, God revealed Himself through the eternal Word, the Son Jesus Christ, who lived among men (John 1:10, 11, 14). In John 14:9 (as in many other passages), Jesus declared that whoever has seen him has seen the Father. Third, I believe that through the Scripture, God’s word, God continues to reveal Himself to mankind. How the Bible has endured and survived countless attacks, criticisms, ridicule, is in itself a proof of its divine origin. How th...

Malachi, which means “my messenger,” is the last book that closes the Old Testament canon. The book is classified by scholars as one of the post-exilic writings along with Haggai and Zechariah. However, among the post exilic writings, Malachi was probably written on a later date between Nehemiah’s return to Persia and his sad homecoming to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11-13). Malachi records a series of disputations between God and His people, using the question and answer method (Malachi 1:2, 6, 7; 2:17; 3:7, 8, 13). In each disputation, the Lord states His case against His people who scornfully respond. Their responses seem to indicate they have forgotten their past experiences while in exile. In this book, God’s immutability, as described by the Lord (Malachi 3:6) is one of the many attributes of God revealed in Scripture. It is on this attribute that the Israelites were not annihilated as a nation (for God remembers the covenant which He had made with Abraham (Malachi 3:6; cf. Genesis 12). ...

Hello! It’s been a while we have not posted some blogs in our website. But we are here; my wife and I have had our hands full lately. Especially, when you have a 3 year old, an infant and another “one” coming… hmm…. Yes, Lord willing this November 2013 Anna will be due with another baby! Please pray for her and our coming baby for good health and safety pregnancy and delivery. Do you have any prayer request that you would like for us to pray? We love to hear from you. Please email your request to info@northsideharvest.org . The Lord bless you.