Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 58
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Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Monday, October 19, 2026
Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - FOUNDATION
FOUNDATION
At the basis of every belief system is faith in a deity or deities by people who are devoted to that god or gods. This is the foundation of all religion; including the apparent religion of evolution which purports a belief in a theory of spontaneous development by a devoted number of followers.
The belief in the death and resurrection of Christ is the apparent foundation of Christianity; based upon what Paul stated in Corinthians. He said that Christ…
…preached that He has been raised from the dead…
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.
And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty
and your faith is also empty.
(1 Corinthians 15:12-14)
So, our belief in Christianity is based in the death and resurrection of Christ, and that belief is based not in blind faith alone but in evidence compiled over many years. In fact, Thomas Arnold of Oxford University has stated this:
I have been used for many years to study the histories of other times,
and to examine and weigh the evidence of those who have written about them,
and I know of no one fact in the history of mankind which is proved by better and fuller evidence of every sort… than the great sign which God hath given us
that Christ died and rose again from the dead.*
But many people do not yet believe this. They probably will not accept this basis for our faith because they do not accept the true foundation of our belief as is stated in the book Genesis.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
(Genesis 1:1)
If one believes the above statement, then the rest of the Bible makes sense and the death of Christ has true meaning. If one does not believe this statement, but accepts that mankind is merely the result of a multiple series of mutations and accidents, then what meaning could the death of Christ really have? The true foundation of any theistic faith is a belief in a god and, therefore, the true foundation of Christianity is the belief in God creating the heavens [universe] and the earth. In fact, Romans emphasizes this by saying:
…since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen,
being understood by the things that are made,
even His eternal power and Godhead,
so that they are without excuse…
(Romans 1 20)
Evolution is a theory for which there is some evidence [more or less] in the geological data but which cannot be proven by science. Likewise creation is a theory which cannot be proven by science but the creator has been shown to have lived and died and rose again by fuller evidence then apparently any other fact in the history of mankind.
It gives a much firmer foundation for our faith than that of other belief systems. It is something we should continue to emphasize and to always think about.
*New Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell, p.g. 216.
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Monday, October 12, 2026
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - PROMISES
PROMISES
In Scripture there are many prophecies, plans, and promises that are laid out for us to examine and learn about. Many of these are of a positive nature and reveal what lies ahead for those who follow Christ. In a similar way, the not so pleasant path for those who refuse to accept the gift of salvation offered by Jesus is also outlined. But even believers are not always promised good times all the time. In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus makes three promises that should be sobering for everyone.
First, He said many would be deceived. It is not just enough to believe, but one must be sure of the one in whom he believes. Jesus said:
…many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and deceive many.
(Mark 13:6)
If the deceivers are not saying directly that they are He, then they may be promoting another deity as being equal to, or more complete than, Christ. But do not be mistaken or deceived for the Son is still greater than darkness. And on the positive side, He also said that His…
…gospel must first be preached to all the nations.
(Mark 13:10)
Quite a statement considering most people at that time never ventured further than 100 to 200 miles from their place of birth. To say that the gospel would be preached throughout the world considering this was quite a prophecy.
Second, He warned about being persecuted and hated, and of family problems that will develop as a result of following Christ. And all of this has been evident over the years. It’s a bit disconcerting to realize that such difficulties will befall someone who puts his faith in one who proclaims love and peace. But Jesus clearly states that:
…they [will] arrest you and deliver you up…
…brother will betray brother to death…
And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.
(Mark 13:11,12,13)
Not very pleasant prospects for one who follows Christ. But at the same time, Jesus also said that when such happens…
…do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak.
But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that;
for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
(Mark 13:11)
So, we will be given the words we need, and the assurance we require, when such events develop.
Finally, Jesus promised that before His return, there would be:
…tribulation, such as has not been seen since the beginning of the creation
which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.
(Mark 13:19)
A time of great duress and distress and to the extreme that, unless the Lord intervenes:
…no flesh would be saved…
(Mark 13:20)
It should be a sobering thought for everyone when consideration is given to what eventually lies ahead of us. Solomon said:
But if a man lives many years…
…let him remember the days of darkness,
For they will be many.
All that is coming is vanity.
(Ecclesiastes 11:8)
The future can look very bleak but again Christ has shown us an out, for He also said:
…[He would] gather together His elect from the four winds,
from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.
(Mark 13:27)
[and] for the elect’s sake…He shortened the days.
(Mark 13:20)
To be a follower of Christ is to be one of the elect, and therefore, one for whom the promises given above have been overridden by the grace of God. Knowing that one has escaped the wrath that is to come because of your relationship with Jesus is certainly something to seriously think about.
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