Richard Doctor

Purging Out the Old Leaven

The Struggle for Holiness “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:8). By Richard Doctor Corinth was a challenge. This strategically located hub of commerce was a “rough and tumble” seaport and blue-collar city of ancient origin, noted for its low morals and licentiousness. The name “Corinthian” applied to a woman was an insult. Paul leaves us no doubt as []

William Penn, the Cross and Crown

Messenger to the Church in Philadelphia (1667-1874) “The way of taking up the cross is an entire resignation of soul … The way is narrow indeed, and the gate very strait … they that can not endure the cross must never have the crown” (William Penn)1 by Richard Doctor A freshly printed “blasphemous book” titled The Sandy Foundation Shaken reached the hands of the Bishop of London. It was a direct attack on the Trinity, asserting, “that the Father, Son, and Spirit, []

Upon the Throne of David

No End to the Increase “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom” (Isaiah 9:7). by Richard Doctor To understand Isaiah’s words we need to look back at a long night well overthree thousand years ago when Jacob wrestled with the angel until he was blessed. Jacob was renamed “Israel.” The Hebrew Isra means “a prince with power.” The word “government” in Isaiah 9:7 derives from the same []

Jehovah’s Design is Not a “Lucky Fluke” — The Second Creative Day

Evidence for the Creative Days “And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day” (Genesis 1:6-8). by Richard Doctor The extremely dense and heavy fog-like atmosphere []

Zephaniah and a Pure Language

Zephaniah “For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent” (Zephaniah 3:9). by Richard Doctor Listen to audio  The opening lines of Zephaniah trace back the prophet’s paternal line over four generations and no equivalent is found in any other prophet. It is reasonable to conclude that Zephaniah was a direct descendant of King Hezekiah. This prophetic book comes from the days of good King []