Bethlehem Lutheran Church
The Heart of Bay Ridge
Sunday Service 10:30am
4th & Ovington Avenues
Brooklyn NY 11209
718.748.9502
Dear Members and Friends,
(Romans 3:21-25) But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, who God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith.
Perfectly understandable? Clear as crystal? Theologians love the apostle Paul. Paul likes words such as righteousness, justification, grace, redemption and atonement. Biblical scholars write entire essays and even books to explain the theology of Paul. Quite honestly, they just may be making the Gospel message more complicated than it has to be.
Let me quote a few more straightforward Bible passages.
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The man who was blind from birth, but received his sight from Jesus’ healing, was questioned over and over again about this miracle. Finally, he says, “The one thing I do know is that I was blind, but now I see.”
The man who was blind from birth, but received his sight from Jesus’ healing, was questioned over and over again about this miracle. Finally, he says, “The one thing I do know is that I was blind, but now I see.”•Just after the death of Jesus, we read in Matthew, “Now when the centurion and those with him who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God.’”
Just after the death of Jesus, we read in Matthew, “Now when the centurion and those with him who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, ‘Truly this man was the Son of God.’”•Thomas was missing from Jesus’ first resurrection appearance to the disciples. He refused to believe it, so Jesus came again. Jesus said, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God.”
Thomas was missing from Jesus’ first resurrection appearance to the disciples. He refused to believe it, so Jesus came again. Jesus said, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God.”•“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life.”
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life.”People of Bethlehem, maybe it is not complicated at all. Maybe all we need is to open our eyes and see the truth. Jesus lived, died and rose from the grave. Just believe it. Really believe it, and let the risen Lord Jesus Christ take charge of your life.
Yes, there is righteousness, justification, grace, redemption and atonement. But, more importantly, there is God’s Holy Spirit. In order to receive it, all we need to do is say, “I believe.”
In the Risen Lord's Service,
Rev. Paul H. Knudsen
Pastor Paul's April Message
Bethlehem Lutheran Church ® | 4th & Ovington Avenues, Brooklyn NY 11209 | 718.748.9502
A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
