Search the Scriptures (…), they are they which testify of Me (John 5:39)
Articles by Gerard Oudijn.
David’s victory over Goliath is a representation of Christ’s victory, the Son of David, over the adversary. Goliath was a giant who reviled God’s people and thereby the living God Himself (1 Sam. 17:26,45). He set himself against God but was defeated by David, who is a representation of Christ. The stone with which David … Read more →
Solomon was born from the marriage of David and Bathsheba. He would succeed his father as king of Israel. His name is related to the Hebrew word shalom, which means peace. This is more than just an interesting detail, for peace and rest would be the very characteristics of his reign. Solomon is thus a … Read more →
In the genealogy of Jesus Christ, we find a remarkable reference. Matthew traces the royal line from David to Christ and also mentions Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba. But Bathsheba is not mentioned by name: Matthew 1 (based on ISA) ⁶ And Jesse fathered David the king. And David fathered Solomon by the … Read more →
Paul speaks about singing in several places. It is striking that he does not emphasize the music itself, but rather the content of what is being sung. For him, singing is a means of teaching one another and drawing attention to the truth of God’s Word. Colossians 316 Let the word of Christ dwell in … Read more →
In Paul’s letter to the Romans, we find the phrase: believe on several times. We do not find this in most translations, because it is usually translated as believe in, or something similar. We do find that in his letters as well (Phil. 1:29), but in the Epistle to the Romans, Paul uses a different … Read more →
In many churches, words like these, or variations thereof, are spoken on Sunday mornings: “Our help and our expectation is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Who keeps His faithfulness forever and does not abandon the works of His hands.” PsalmsThese magnificent words are taken from the Psalms, specifically from … Read more →
In the Epistle to the Romans, Paul says that we should not repay evil with evil (12:17), and he also speaks of this in other letters (1 Thess. 5:15). It is certainly not a new truth that Paul reveals, for we already find this in the Hebrew Bible (Prov. 20:22). That latter text also explains … Read more →
In Romans 1, Paul portrays a humanity that suppresses the truth that God exists in unrighteousness. God has therefore withdrawn Himself in this time. In the language of the Hebrew Bible: God hides His face (Deut. 31:17-18). But although God hides Himself, every human being can know that God exists, so that they are without … Read more →
In many of his letters, Paul emphasizes his apostleship. He was sent by Christ Jesus, the resurrected one. Time and again, he emphasizes his special calling. A different ministry was given to him than to the twelve. Israel and the nationsFor the twelve were sent to Israel (Matth. 10:5-6) and Jesus, during his stay here … Read more →
1 Corinthians 15 is by far the most extensive exposition on resurrection in Scripture. It is amazing how Paul powerfully sets out here that the gospel is universal and truly encompasses all people: “for just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive” (:22). It is only at that … Read more →