Paul Ellis's Blog

For years, readers have been asking, “Paul, why don’t you make your study notes publicly available?”

Well… your wish is my command. This weekend only, you can get my ebook Original Sin: What Does the Bible Really Say? for just one dollar.

Tell your friends.

Paul

PS: What’s it about? For 2000 years, Augustine’s doctrine of original sin has taught that you were a natural born sinner, stained with Adam’s sin. From the moment you drew your first breath, you ...

If Bible verses were medicines, some verses would be wonder drugs. Or maybe miracle cures. Like this one:

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

This single verse has the power to change your life. If you receive this truth in your heart, it will bear much good fruit. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look. The following is extracted from my book The Grace Bible: Romans.

Therefore means “Because of what God has accomplished ...

Do you perform miracles? Do you heal the sick and raise the dead? Because if you’re not, you may not be a real Christian. That’s according to some people. But not me.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe the life we have in Christ is supernatural, and I pray for the sick.

But if you love the Lord and have never healed the sick or raised the dead that does not make you any less of a Christian. The newest, least supernatural believer is 100 percent righteous, holy, and eternally secure in C...

Have you ever wondered why some people never respond to the gospel?

You tell them God loves them, that he holds nothing against them, and he’s longing to share his life with them, and you get nothing. It’s like they’re asleep.

Well, apparently, that’s God’s doing:

Just as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes to see not and ears to hear not, down to this very day.” (Romans 11:8)

“Stupor” means numbness and is sometimes translated as “slumber.” According to...

My scariest movie moment happened at a drive-in theater in 1986. I was in a car with some friends, watching a new release called Aliens. Seen it?

We had no idea what the movie was about, so imagine our shock when a man eating a meal began choking and convulsing violently. I won’t describe the horrifying thing that happened next—just in case children are reading this—but we screamed in absolute terror.

In space, no one can hear you scream, but they sure heard us that night at the dr...

Israel is again in the news. The endless cycle of violence in the Middle East leaves us wondering, “When will it all end?” So it’s understandable that some take comfort from this verse:

… and so all Israel will be saved. (Romans 11:26)

Which is a remarkable promise given the indifference Israel showed to Jesus.

The descendants of Abraham were highly favored. They had the promises of God, the law, and the prophets. They had all the Old Testament signposts that pointed to a comi...

If Romans is the greatest letter ever written, then chapter 8 is the greatest chapter in the greatest letter. It’s the Everest of Paul’s monumental epistle.

In Romans 8, Paul makes several amazing claims about the gospel:

Having made these claims, he hits the pause button to ask, “What then shall we say to these things?” (Rom. 8:31). In other ...

Every day there is more evidence of a worldwide Grace Revolution.

Just check out the booming increase in the number of sermons, books, podcasts, and videos about grace. Grace preachers and teachers are springing up everywhere, and it is only a matter of time before we see a corresponding increase in the number of grace churches.

A good question to ask is why? Why is a Grace Revolution happening now?

The roots of the current movement can be traced back for decades. Influential g...

Does God choose some people to be saved and condemn the rest? Does God harden the hearts of some so they can never come to repentance?

You might think so after reading this verse:

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed throughout the whole earth.” So then he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires. (Romans 9:17–18)

You may recall the story. Moses said, ...

The label “Grace Revolution” can be seen everywhere. It’s on churches, ministries, books, and Facebook pages. But what is a Grace Revolution? It will help if we clarify some terms:

Grace = divine aid
Revolution = a turn or change

A Grace Revolution means the church is coming into the freedom that grace brings. It means believers are resting in Christ’s finished work, instead of striving in their own strength. They’re walking in step with the Spirit, rather than trudging along in the old habit...