Category Archives: Salvation

Are Hades & Hell the Same Place? (post #1 of 2)

Posted on April 15, 2026 by russellmckinney

For centuries the classic King James translation of the Bible was the favored one for the English-speaking world. Many of us grew up reading the K.J.V. and memorizing its verses, and it is undoubtedly a solid translation for the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Death, Demons, Eternity, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Heaven, Hell, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can Prayer Change God’s Mind?

Posted on April 8, 2026 by russellmckinney

A reader, Paula Jarvis Garland, wrote to me: “Here’s my question: If everything is predestined, then how does prayer change things? Can our prayers cause God to change his mind?” The question is actually two questions, one concerning predestination and … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Desires, Election, Eternal Security, Eternity, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Heaven, Influence, Man's Freewill, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Reward, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The 12 Hours of Good Friday

Posted on April 3, 2026 by russellmckinney

In the Jerusalem of Christ’s day, time could be reckoned according to the Jewish system or the Roman system. Both were commonly used. A 24-hour day in the Jewish system began at 6:00 p.m. sundown and ended at 6:00 p.m. … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Crucifixion, Easter, Good Friday, Sacrifice, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

They Should Have Known

Posted on March 30, 2026 by russellmckinney

Consider the following passages (all from the N.K.J.V., emphasis mine): As we read these passages, it’s hard to understand why the apostles didn’t expect Jesus to resurrect. Even if they didn’t believe His predictions when they first heard them, shouldn’t they … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Doubt, Easter, Resurrection, Salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Are You Sure You’re a Soldier?

Posted on March 27, 2026 by russellmckinney

An elderly gentleman found himself seated next to a young man who was dressed rather sloppily. The elderly gentleman struck up a conversation to pass the time. After exchanging names and pleasant greetings, he asked the young man, “Son, what … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Bible Study, Disobedience, Dress and Appearance, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Word, God's Work, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Scripture, Separation, Service, Spiritual Warfare, The Bible | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Breaking Away from Family & Upbringing

Posted on March 20, 2026 by russellmckinney

If you are a Christian who was born into a “Christian” household, let me ask you a question: If you had been born into a household that was not “Christian,” would you have still believed in Jesus Christ at some … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Children, Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Discernment, Dying To Self, Faith, Faithfulness, Family, Fatherhood, Fear, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Husbands, Individuality, Obedience, Parenting, Salvation, Service, Submission, Trusting In God, Wives, Work | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Most Shocking Convert Ever

Posted on March 14, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #15) Imagine Osama Bin Laden becoming a Christian and asking to speak in Christian churches. Imagine Adolph Hitler converting to Judaism and asking to speak in Jewish synagogues. Imagine the Grand Wizard of … Continue reading →

Posted in Brokenness, Change, Church, Conscience, Conviction, Dying To Self, Evangelism, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Salvation, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Submission, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The World’s First Megachurch

Posted on February 25, 2026 by russellmckinney

A megachurch is generally defined as being any Christian congregation that has a sustained weekly attendance of 2,000 people or more in its worship services. With that definition in mind we can say that the world’s first church was also … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Bible Study, Christian Liberty, Church, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Evangelism, God's Word, God's Work, Leadership, Ministry, Missions, Money, Needs, Pastors, Prayer, Preaching, Salvation, Scripture, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Stewardship, Sunday School, The Bible, The Gospel, The Holy Spirit, Witnessing, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Filled With the Spirit

Posted on February 18, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #5) The group of approximately 120 of Christ’s followers who experienced the famous day of Pentecost were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). This means that each of those believers became indwelt with God … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Disobedience, Doing Good, God's Work, Obedience, Rebellion, Salvation, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Spiritual Gifts, The Holy Spirit, The Trinity | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Rightly Understanding Peter’s Answer

Posted on February 16, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #4) Peter’s Pentecost sermon, which was the first sermon of the church age, caused his listeners to ask, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). His answer was, “Repent, and be baptized, every one … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Belief, Bible Study, Catholicism, Church, Discernment, Evangelism, Faith, God's Work, Repentance, Salvation, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem" | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment