1/13/25

(Nick, Zach, and I engaged in a Bible dialogue)

Does Christianity Hang on Jesus' Divinity?

      I've finished my first week as a disciple-making apprentice with NCP, and boy, have we done a lot! It's been a great start to the year as I've met many ministry partners I'll be working with and have joined Nick in various ministries and training! One significant part of my week was a Bible dialogue we had with someone leaving the Shincheonji cult. In our dialogue, we focused on addressing her question of if Christianity requires the divinity and eternal nature of Jesus. The cult rejects the divinity of Jesus and teaches that He is not eternal but instead created. In our discussion we read through a number of verses clearly expressing that Jesus is God and is uncreated. An excellent passage that we discussed that refutes this false doctrine is John 1:1-4. This shows that the Word (Jesus; verse 14) was God in the beginning and all created things were created through Him. 

      We discussed many other verses in our dialogue, and addressed a few other questions she had, but in addition to the clarity she gained, I experienced firsthand the necessity of knowing the word of God. 1 Timothy 4:1 teaches, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons", and my eyes were opened to that this week. However, in another Bible dialogue I was reminded of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 which says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work". Thank you, God, for giving us Your word which leads us and equips us for every good work You prepare ahead of us!

*Updates*

• I am currently funded 58% of my financial goal! Thank you so much to everyone partnering with me and this ministry financially! As I continue support raising, I ask that you join me in prayer as I look for those God wants to have join me in financial support. If you, or someone you know, would like to partner with me, you can sign up here to give.

• There have been a few destructive fires recently in the Los Angeles area, but we are safe and I'm currently unaffected by these disasters.

*Prayer Requests*

• Please be praying for continued ministry opportunities and for the Holy Spirit's work in preparing our hearts and opening doors ahead of us.

• Also please pray for those whom I will invite to participate in Bible dialogues in the future. Pray that the Holy Spirit will begin moving in their hearts and stirring their spirits so that our time will be fruitful!

With love and peace,

Ivan Penrose