In the letter to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13, we read the second of two letters that contains only praise and encouragement from Jesus for the church. Although the church in Philadelphia looked weak, it was actually strong, because it had done the one simple thing that all churches and all Christians must do: keep Christ’s word. Jesus’ instruction to them (and to us) was correspondingly simple: hold on to what you have.
In his greeting, Paul previewed coming attractions in the rest of the letter, including the main event of Christ’s humiliation and exaltation.
As Paul headed towards Jerusalem, he took with him fruit from his ministry among the nations.
The early church produced several creeds that continue to exercise great influence over what Christians believe about Jesus Christ to this day. (Here is...
