Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 21

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - PURPLE

 PURPLE*

It is said that in the Bible there are few, if any, details which are not of some significance. In that case, one has to wonder why the colour purple is used so frequently; is it just because we consider it to be the colour of royalty?

Purple is really the combination of two primary colours - blue and red. It is mentioned 26 times in the book of Exodus alone and always in association with both blue and red or scarlet. In the New Testament, the colour purple is used either by itself or in association with scarlet but never with the colour blue.

So does this little detail have any real significance or not? In Exodus, the instructions for the curtains in the tabernacle were given.

Moreover you shall make the tabernacle 

with ten curtains of fine woven linen, 

and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; 

with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them. 

(Exodus 26:1)

The purple colour would come about because the blue and scarlet threads would be so tightly woven together that it would appear as purple thread. Thus, the two other colours meeting together would produce the third colour.

In the times of the Exodus, the tabernacle was the tent of meeting; the place where the two main entities of life at that time, God and man, could come together. In such a place and time, blue represented the heavens, i.e.: God, and so was always stated as coming first. And of course, red represents the colour of the earth of the Middle East and it was from earth man came and it was to earth he would return. In addition it should be noted that the Hebrew word for man is Adam which derives from another Hebrew word meaning red.

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground… 

(Genesis 2:7)

In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread 

Till you return to the ground, 

For out of it you were taken; 

For dust you are, 

And to dust you shall return. 

(Genesis 3:19)

As a result, scarlet not only represented the earth but also the sin and guilt of the earthy life. Thus, from the very beginning, existed this symbol of the desire for there to be a reconciliation between God and mankind. So, as it is only by a tight union of the blue and scarlet threads that one can obtain a purple colour, likewise it is only by a tight relationship that a true reconciliation can be achieved between God and man.

The possibility of this was realized at the time of the crucifixion and was in turn symbolized when a purple robe was placed on Christ.

…and they put on Him a purple robe. 

(John 19:2)

Then Jesus came out, 

wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.

And Pilate said to them “Behold the Man!” 

(John 19:5)

Not only behold the Man but also behold God, for man and God had again become one; reconciled at last. The blue of heaven and the crimson of earth had become joined in the purple of eternity - man and God reconciled.

Surely something to think about.    

 

*The Book of Mysteries by Jonathan Cahn, p.g. 289.

Blake Storey Nov 16, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 20

Just a Shoebox Reminder

 JUST A REMINDER

The shoeboxes need to be in by Sunday November 16th.

Thank-you

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE SCARLET CORD

THE SCARLET CORD*

In the book of Joshua, there is the story of Rehab, a harlot, and of two spies sent into Jericho by Joshua. In essence, when the king of Jericho sent men to search for the spies, Rehab hid them and helped them escape. In return, the spies promised to help and protect Rehab and her family when the forces of Joshua invaded the city. However, this would only be done if she would identify her house by a scarlet cord.

…when we come into the land, 

you bind this line of scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down,

…and whoever is with you in the house, 

his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 

…And she bound the scarlet cord in the window. 

(Joshua 2:18-19,21)

So, it was because of the identification by the scarlet cord that Rehab and her family were saved.

Apparently, in the Talmud, it is recorded that on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, in the time of the Second Temple, a scarlet cord would be tied to the Temple doors and when the ordinances of the day were completed, the cord would turn from scarlet to white.

…Though your sins are like scarlet,

They shall be as white as snow… 

(Isaiah 1:18)

This apparently was a sign that the ordinances of Yom Kippur had been accepted and that the sins of the people had been covered. This evidently occurred each year.

The Temple, however, was destroyed by Roman armies in the year AD70. But the rabbis apparently noted a change about 40 years before this when the cord no longer continued to change. This was at the time of Christ’s crucifixion and was felt, by many, to mean that the old sacrifices of the temple were no longer needed because a different sacrifice had been made, one that by the atonement or sacrifice of the Messiah took away sin and saved those who accepted the sacrifice of Christ. As a result, God has cleansed us once for all - all our scarlet sins have been made white as snow. It is now up to us to live, as much as possible, a scarlet free life.

For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days…

I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 

then He adds, “Their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

(Hebrews 10:14,16,17)

Just as the men of Joshua remembered and saved Rehab and her family because they obeyed instruction and were identified by the scarlet cord, so too are we remembered by Christ when we follow His word and accept His sacrifice.

Just something further to think about.

Adapted from The Book of Mysteries p.g. 209 by Jonathan Chan 

Pastor Matthew Trott Nov 9, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 19

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - SAVED

 SAVED

In many churches the term “saved” is one to which there is often reference. People may be asked ‘Are you saved?’ or ‘Were you saved?’ or ‘Do you wish to be saved?’ or some other similar phrase. Perhaps the more important question to ponder would be ‘Why are you saved?’ or ‘From what are you saved?’

Being saved really means being in a right relationship with God. And the only way that can come about is through faith. It is said that:

…without faith it is impossible to please Him, 

for he who comes to God must believe that He is… 

(Hebrews 11:6)

For by grace you have been saved through faith… 

(Ephesians 2:8)

This principle has been consistent since the book of Genesis. At the time of the slaying of Abel by Cain, Cain offered a sacrifice indicating less faith than that of Abel.

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain… 

(Hebrews 11:4)

So again, if you have placed you faith in God, so that you may be saved, what was the reason? Why is it important to be saved? From what are you saved?

We often hear of the goodness of God, of the love of god, and of His grace and mercy. We hear of this verse frequently:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son… 

(John 3:16) 

…and as a result come to believe that God is only a God of love, grace, and mercy. But while those attributes are true, we often don’t consider that He is also a God of wrath to those who reject Him, who do not have faith in Him.

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; 

and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life,

 but the wrath of God abides on him. 

(John 3:36)

Because of these things 

the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience… 

(Colossians 3:6)

…Go and pour out the  bowls of the wrath of God on the earth. 

(Revelation 16:1)

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

(Hebrews 10:31)

So, avoiding the wrath of God is one reason to be saved but there is also another. One of the primary problems in life is finding one’s purpose in being alive. And that brings up the second point in salvation for which we are saved - to do good works.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, 

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 

(Ephesians 2:10)

Let your light so shine before men, 

that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 

(Matthew 5:16)

To do good works in His name and to avoid the wrath and anger of God which otherwise might come our way - two good reasons to be saved.

Just one more thing to think about.

  

Rev. Steve Webb Nov. 2, 2025

Evening Service Cancelled - Nov. 2, 2025

 

Notice: There will be no evening service tomorrow night Nov. 2. 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 18

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - UNBELIEF

 UNBELIEF

It is not uncommon to speak of the extent to which faith can effect change. The well known phrase from the Bible says:

…if you have faith as a mustard seed, 

you will say to this mountain, 

‘Move from here to there’ and it will move…

(Matt 17:20)

indicates how much power true faith can have.

But sometimes we don’t realize how much influence unbelief or lack of faith can have. There are many examples in Scripture to indicate just that, including the lack of faith Eve had in God when she disobeyed God’s edict regarding the forbidden tree. And the lack of faith demonstrated by the populace in general at the time of Noah when only Noah and his immediate family were saved. And of course, the lack of faith demonstrated by Pharaoh which led to the 10 plagues being thrust upon Egypt. 

Dr. John MacArthur listed 4 ways in which unbelief can be  shown to exist.

First - Refusal to accept either the obvious or supporting evidence. One of the ways in which this is evident is ilustrated in the book of Romans.

For 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)

Second - Emphasizing the trivial over the things of importance. This is in turn evident in the book of Mark where Jesus is trying to preach and teach in Nazareth. But instead of concentrating on what He had done in Capernaum, the people were more concerned about the source of His learning and His immediate family.

“Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, 

and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?

And are not His sisters here with us?”

So they were offended at Him. 

(Mark 6:3)

Third - Criticizing the messenger rather than concentrating on the message. This is also demonstrated in the same passage in Mark. Instead of focusing on the message that Jesus was teaching, those in the synagogue were amazed that He had such knowledge and again were commentating on His family and even that in a derogatory type of way.

And many hearing Him were astonished, saying

“Where did this Man get these things?”

Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, 

and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? 

And are not His sisters here with us? 

(Mark 6:2,3)

Fourth - Denying the supernatural. Unbelief is often shown by a tendency to deny the existence of anything other than what one can perceive with the five senses and can be understood by science. And with only this, faith does not excel; and because of this, Christ could and can do nothing.

Now He could do no mighty work there…

And He marvelled because of their unbelief. 

(Mark 6:5,6)

How much God cares for us is often repeated in Scripture and we are also often admonished by Him when it is said:

O You of little faith

(Matt 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:8; Luke 12:28)

Again, just something more to think about.

Dr. Spencer Barclay Oct. 26, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 17

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - UNWISE THOUGHTS

UNWISE THOUGHTS*

There are those in this world who tend to follow the precepts of God regardless of the religion they claim to believe in. After all, many of the world’s religions do tend to have numerous features in common. One of those is that all have people who commit sin; it is a feature to all people everywhere, And in every culture, it is also a fact that there are those who believe that they are the ones in control and that God or a god is not needed at all. There are apparently five ways in which this all becomes manifest.

Pride. Probably the greatest sin, pride often keeps people from seeking or trying to find God. To such a person, God isn’t needed and therefore why look for Him? As a result, people become…      

…Self-centered. If one feels self-sufficient and can do all for himself, then why should one need to even consider God. That would just interfere with one’s freedom. And if a person feels that he has unlimited freedom to do as he wills, then that person must feel in total…

…Self-control and that he has total control over his life. Such a person tends to think that adversity just won’t come his way and if it should that he would be able to handle it by himself. People such has this have an…

…Ignorance of what has been revealed to us in Scripture so that one has no understanding of the judgements of God and what is evidently awaiting us in the future. As a result of all this, each of us has to some extent a… 

…Belief that God really doesn’t care about our sins and our lifestyle and that no matter what takes place, He has no actual desire for justice nor will He at any time require an accounting for our actions and lawlessness.

It is a philosophy which in the present age may seem to allow us to enjoy all the freedom and apparent benefits of our material age but in reality is encumbered with myriad problems, pitfalls, and heartbreak. As a result, it is wise to consider what Scripture says about true freedom.

Therefore if the Son makes you free, 

you shall be free indeed.

(John 8:36)

True freedom and contentment really only comes through Christ.

Something to think about.

*Adapted from The Evidence Bible footnote p.g. 712 

  

Dr Spencer Barclay Oct 19, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 16

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE CROSS

THE CROSS

The cross is the primary symbol of the Christian faith. Whether it represents the death of Christ, as in the occupied cross, or the resurrected Saviour, as in the unoccupied cross, it is all representative of the mercy and grace of God. Hence, when it is worn simply as a piece of jewellery it tends to cheapen the overall significance of its full meaning.

But it is only a symbol of mercy and grace to those who have accepted His sacrifice; to others it represents a different meaning altogether. Initially, the cross represented punishment as mentioned in Deuteronomy:

If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, 

and he is put to death, 

and you hang him on a tree [cross]… 

(Deuteronomy 21:22)

We tend to focus on the redemptive power of the cross and forget the judgement aspect of its meaning. Psalm 101 states:

I will sing of mercy and judgement: 

unto thee. 

(Psalm 101:1, KJV)

And the cross is where mercy and judgement meet. We tend to focus on the grace and mercy represented by Christ’s cross and forget that it was initially, and still is, a symbol also of punishment. It was the means by which one deserving of death, one who had committed sin, was executed. We often forget that the cross implies judgement to those not committed to Christ and so represents the divine wrath of God toward sinners. As R.C. Sproul stated:

There is probably no concept in theology more repugnant to modern America 

than the idea of divine wrath.*

We are to understand both the love of God and His divine wrath. In Psalm 34 we read:

O taste and see that the Lord is good;

Blessed is the man that trusts in Him!

O fear the Lord, you His saints! 

There is no want to those 

who fear Him.

(Psalm 34:8,9)

The goodness of God cannot be separated from the fear of the Lord.** 

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

(Hebrews 10:31)

Thus the cross is both a symbol of grace and mercy and of judgement, perhaps even to those who wear it, if such is not done in recognition and acceptance of the its true meaning. We all must all at some time die and, as did Christ, die alone. 

He cried out:

My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? 

(Matthew 27:46)

How many of us will be crying out the same plea when we come to realize that the cross has become not a symbol of grace but of judgement?

Every man must do two things alone: 

he must do his own believing, 

and he must do his own dying. 

(Martin Luther)***

It really is something to think about.

*   The Evidence Bible p.g. 719

** The Evidence Bible p.g. 730

***The Evidence Bible p.g. 763

                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

 

Pastor Matthew Trott - Oct 12, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 15

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - WHY BELIEVE?

WHY BELIEVE?

There is virtually no dispute as to whether or not Jesus lived as a real man on earth during the first century AD. The question always comes up as to whether on not He was who He claimed to be: the Son of God. So why should we accept His claim to be just that - God’s Son.

There are two main reasons to believe in Him being who people claim Him to be. First, by His words. In many places in the Bible, Jesus implied, if not stated directly, that He was indeed God in the form of a human. Additionally, the way He spoke, taught, and gave instruction really showed that He was indeed more than human. In Matthew chapters 5-7, He taught with so much insight and wisdom that those listening were essentially spell bound. Thus…

…when Jesus had ended these sayings, 

the people were astonished at His teaching,

for He taught them as one having authority,

and not as the scribes. 

(Matthew 7:28,29)

Secondly, with His actions, Jesus showed that He had command and control over all aspects of life. It was evident that He could command the elements as when He controlled the wind and sea.

And suddenly a great tempest areas on the sea, 

so that the boat was covered with the waves. 

But He was asleep.

…Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the sea, 

and there was a great calm. 

(Matthew 8:24,26)

It was also evident, through His ability to heal disease and restore imperfect bodies, that that He could change physical bodies. Again this was reported in many places and times in the Scripture. For example,

…they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted 

with various diseases and torments…epileptics, and paraplegics; 

and He healed them.

(Matthew 4:24)

And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him, saying, 

“Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 

Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying 

“I am willing; be cleansed.” 

Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

(Matthew 8:2,3)

And when He came near the gate of the city [Nain]…

a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother…

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her…

Then He came and touched the open coffin…

And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 

So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. 

(Luke 7:12-15)

Finally, it was also evident that He had control over the spiritual world as well for we read in Matthew again that:

 

…they brought to Him

…those who were demon-possessed

…and He healed them.

(Matthew 4:24)

And when He came in contact with a demon-possessed man…

 

…the demons begged Him, saying, 

“If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” 

And He said to them, “Go.” 

…[and so] they went into the herd of swine. 

(Matthew 8:31-32)

All this fully indicates that Jesus was truly not just human but also the true Son of God. Something further to think about.

Pastor Jasmine Trott Oct 5, 2025

Dr. Barclays Bible Study - The Gospel of Mark Part 14

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - WHICH WAY?

WHICH WAY?

Everyone enjoys their own freedom to do things in the way in which they feel most comfortable and confidant. It’s part of the benefit of living in this part of the world and of having education or training in many aspects of life. But don’t we often carry that idea of knowledge far beyond our actual education or experience, and as result believe we have much more insight or grounding in matters in which we have had little instruction?

Sometimes, it’s in relationship to instruction from those in authority over us or from those from whom we are supposed to take direction. In either case, it does give one a sense of invulnerability and we can often develop a feeling that we can go our own way rather than submitting to someone else. But it often tends to, in reality, be just the opposite.

If we, therefore, feel that we have the right to go our own way and the freedom to do whatever, then we obviously have not read Scripture for that is entirely opposite to what the Bible states.

Scripture states that:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom… 

(Psalm 111:10)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge… 

(Proverbs 1:7)

The fear of the Lord prolongs days… 

(Proverbs 10:27)

If one truly fears and respects the Lord, it is hard then to assert that one has the right to do everything totally independent of God. If we have true wisdom and knowledge, and hope to prolong days, then we must listen to instruction from God and that means, to some extent at least, accepting His advice. And accepting another’s advice and counsel means, in turn, giving up one’s freedom to do everything in his or her own way.

The Bible also states that:

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes… 

(Proverbs 21:2)

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil… 

(James 4:7)

[and do not] boast in your arrogance… 

(James 4:16)

[but] humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord… 

(James 4:10)

[for] if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. 

(John 8:36)

True freedom comes from the wisdom and knowledge of God and not by doing one’s own thing just because it seems possible. So which way will you choose?

Always something to think about.