Volume 9 / Issue 5 | May 2022
The Apologetics Newsletter
of the Missouri Baptist Convention
In this issue:
The Word of the Lord appears ... Hagar's encounter with the angel of the Lord ... Passing the point of no return ... and more!
The Word of the Lord appears
Yahweh breaks into the physical realm in many ways through what are known as theophanies. For example, he appears in human form, or cloaked in dark clouds, or as a rider on a chariot-throne. But occasionally in the Old Testament, God shows up, not with a word, but as the Word. These are known as Christophanies.



Hagar's encounter with the angel of the Lord
Genesis 16 records the first undisputed appearance of the angel of the Lord in Scripture, and he comes to a fleeing Egyptian handmaiden. This appearance is fascinating for many reasons, not the least of which is that the angel chooses to make his first appearance to a Gentile woman of lowly estate.

The Holy Spirit and Scripture
The Holy Spirit is the primary agent through whom the Scriptures came to us. He superintended the thoughts and words of the prophets and apostles so that what they wrote were the very words of God.

Abraham and Sarah's encounters
with the angel of the Lord
After the angel of the Lord's visit to Hagar in Genesis 16, Yahweh appears to Abram saying, "I am God Almighty. Live in my presence and be blameless. I will set up my covenant between me and you, and I will multiply you greatly." Is Yahweh, who appears in this passage to Abram, none other than the angel of the Lord?

Passing the point of no return
Does God draw a line in the sand when it comes to sin? That is, can unbelievers rebel against God so grievously, and reject his grace so persistently, that ultimately they pass a point beyond which they can never be saved? It appears from Scripture the answer is yes.
Watch the trailer:
What Every Christian Should Know About Satan
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