All Articles For Bruinooge, Kyle

And when James and Cephas [Peter] and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me [Paul], they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision—Galatians 2:9   The basis of true Christian fellowship among God’s people is fellowship with the Father and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Therefore, there is fellowship among believers in the church of Christ. The apostle John understood true fellowship when he wrote, That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that...

teacher of New Testament history at Covenant Christian High School in Walker, Michigan, and is a member of Faith PRC in Jenison, Michigan   After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles—1 Corinthians 15:7   Faith in Christ is not a blind leap into the unknown, but is grounded in truth, substance, and evidence (Heb. 11:1). Saving faith rests on the Word of God and the historical reality of Christ’s resurrection. But the experiences of coming to faith vary. Some are nurtured in the covenant community from childhood, others are called out of deep spiritual darkness,...

teacher of New Testament history at Covenant Christian High School in Walker, Michigan, and a member of Faith PRC in Jenison, Michigan   Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them—Acts 8:5   In the early church, though often overshadowed by apostles like Peter and Paul, Philip the Evangelist’s life and ministry offer a profound example of Spirit-worked faithfulness and obedience. From the bustling streets of Jerusalem, to the land of Samaria, to the desert road that led to a eunuch’s baptism, to raising a family of four daughters in Caesarea, Philip’s story is...

Teacher of New Testament history at Covenant Christian High School in Walker, Michigan and a member of Faith PRC in Jenison, Michigan   And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it —Colossians 4:17. In modern Turkey, the Lycus River, with its source near Mount Cadmus, flows past a trifecta of significance from the Roman world: Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. Perhaps not significant to the average Roman in Paul’s day or to most Christians today; nonetheless, this important river valley is the geographical backdrop of multiple, important narratives in...

Mr. Kyle Bruinooge teacher of New Testament history at Covenant Christian High School in Walker, Michigan and an elder in Faith PRC in Jenison, Michigan Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philemon 1:1-3 In the last article on Onesimus, we examined the narrative of Philemon from the perspective of the runaway slave. We saw the beautiful evidence of God’s...

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever. Philemon 15   “A runaway slave only runs away once.” This was the common, unsettling refrain in the Roman empire, for slaves were necessary to drive the economy. They made up 20-25% of the population and, according to Roman law, they had no rights and were mere property. The New Testament canon reveals the story of a thieving, runaway slave named Onesimus; yet one who is described as a “faithful and beloved brother” (Col. 4.9). The name Onesimus literally means, ‘profitable,’ or ‘useful.’ Clearly, Onesimus...

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. Acts 9:27 The experience of feeling spiritually alone is very real. There is the reality of how great your sins are that they can rise up against you and paralyze your soul. On the other hand, there is the suffering and pain of disease, tragedy, and loss that can make you feel shattered into a thousand pieces....

Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. II Timothy 4:11 The year was AD 50. The first missionary journey was complete. The early church judged it a success, for faithful missionaries were used to plant new churches. Then, through conflict with certain Jews, the celebration continued as the church rejoiced in the Spirit’s development of truth through the significant decision of the Jerusalem Council: Do not require laws to burden the Gentiles (Acts 15:19). The gospel of pure grace was preserved as the church understood more...

I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Romans 16:1-2 Lists of names in Scripture have great value and importance. We often have the tendency to view these lists as laborious and insignificant, but the opposite is true. Examples include the lengthy lists recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah, where names of returning captives point us...

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. Acts 16:14 Several of Paul’s teachings are not popular in the church world today, particularly regarding women and church office (I Cor. 14:34; I Tim. 2:11-12). Any issues one may have with Paul’s instruction regarding the role of women in the church simply reveals a lack of understanding of the inspiration of holy Scripture. As an apostle, Paul’s message was the Holy Spirit’s message;...