In this first number of a new series, to replace The Wayside Pulpit, we need to examine the word “Restitution” in the 3rd chapter of Acts, quoted in the Title of this series.  The Greek word is Apokatastasis  pronounced Apokatastasis, made up from three words APO, KATA, and STASIS.  APO means “away from”, KATA means “down”, but is often employed to mean “utterly, completely”, andSTASIS is a noun derived from the verb meaning “to stand”. Putting all these thoughts together produces a word meaning “a complete standing away from,” in other words, a restoration from the present condition to that of its pristine state, a re-instatement of that which has been unlawfully obtained, or a return to normal existence after people/circumstances cause an abnormality. There are many occasions in life when the word “restitution” could be applied, or even hoped for. [Read more…]

Wherever you go, in all the churches, whatever you read in Christian literature, the word “Atonement” keeps appearing. It is supposed to be the definitive term to describe what our Lord and Saviour accomplished for us at Calvary. In this paper it will be necessary to investigate the meaning and derivation of this word. It’s not a dull theological wrangle, but something of vital importance. Please stay with us. [Read more…]

In this series of papers we shall be investigating all manner of absurdities that have been accepted by believers who seem more disposed to accept words, sentences, and traditions, quite apart from using their own critical faculties, and certainly without due regard to logic. We have found very few writers with the courage to undermine such absurdities, but would mention with pleasure the names of C.S.Lewis, George MacDonald, Francis Schaeffer, and Kathryn Lindskoog in this respect. [Read more…]

Matthew 24:34  “Truly I tell you, that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things happen. The heaven and the earth will pass away, but my words may by no means pass away.”  [Free translation from the Interlinear Greek Text.] [Read more…]

Romans 1:3-4  “God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” [Read more…]

Genesis 1:1-2  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, and the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

The second verse of Genesis 1 has been the subject of controversy for a long time. Traditionally most contend that the verse should stand as it is in the Authorised Version, but others insist that it should read, “and the earth became without form and void.” This latter group adhere to what has been called THE GAP THEORY.  In this edition of the R.T. we want to look at this matter, and see why the Gap Theory arose, and what are its implications to the rest of Scripture. [Read more…]

The remembrance of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, must be classed as the central theme, the hub, the foundation stone of all Christian doctrine. Today, Saturday, rests between these two major events, and may be viewed as the quiet between two storms. It is good therefore to sit back, take stock, and ask a few questions. [Read more…]

We take “the week” so much for granted that we rarely stop to think about it’s origin. Stop for a moment and recollect. As far back as human history goes, there has never been a break in the continuity of the week. All nations have used it. There is no record, anywhere, of any nation using a week of other than seven days. To my knowledge, the only departure from this rule was brought about by the Emperor Napoleon, who tried to institute a decimal week – that of ten days duration. After a brief trial run he had to abandon it. He found that his soldiers were getting ill. Even the horses were affected badly. He had to learn that the seven day cycle was a biological necessity in creation. Let me produce a piece of personal testimony here. In my youth I did a three-month stint in an automobile factory, working on the shop floor on a capstan lathe. The hours were long, and the pay rather poor. I then noticed that they paid double on Sundays, and decided to dispense with the day off. At the end of 13 days without a break I was bushed. It taught me a lesson, and I have never again attempted such folly. [Read more…]

In the last number we looked at the Week, and saw how it reflected the seven days of Genesis 1. In this number I’d like to look more particularly at the Sabbath in history. [Read more…]

What did the Lord have in mind when He revealed His workmanship to Adam and Eve?  Why did He choose to give the creation account in terms of a week of days? And why did He place such an importance on the seventh day, the one known as the Sabbath? We have seen from the Old Testament scriptures the supreme importance God placed on remembrance of the Sabbath. We have also seen our Lord’s attitude towards the Sabbath day during His earthly ministry, and how He referred to Himself as “the Lord of the Sabbath.” What then is it all about? [Read more…]