This Vertical Life
WANT TO CONNECT?
Email: john@theverticalacademy.com
Welcome,
My name is John, and I created this Bible blog. My parents introduced me to Christ at an early age and demonstrated a love for God and His Word. With this foundation, I have been a student of Scripture, formally and informally, for over 40 years.
For over 25 years, I have been a Bible educator within the Church and the University. This has given me the opportunity to teach students at various ages and stages of life including middle school, high school, college students, graduate students, and senior adults.
I love God and the Bible. I want to help others understand the original context and apply the Bible in every area of life. Then we can live out this vertical life, with hearts and minds set on things above. This means a life focused on Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, for the glory of God.
​
The Essentials: What I Believe
The Bible
​I believe the Bible is verbally inspired and inerrant in the original manuscripts. It is the only infallible, and authoritative Word of God. It was written centuries ago and is still relevant for believers today.
God
I believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus
I believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in his virgin birth, in his sinless life, in his miracles, in his vicarious and atoning death through his shed blood, in his bodily resurrection, in his ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in his imminent personal return in power and glory.
​
The Holy Spirit
I believe in the present work of the Holy Spirit, who draws sinners to Christ, indwells all Believers, empowers the Christians to live a godly life evidenced by his fruit and gives gifts to the Church.
Salvation
I believe all humanity is in need of salvation, which is completely a work of God’s free grace through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is not in any way the result of human works or goodness. Each person can receive salvation by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
The Church
I believe in the universal Church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the head and all regenerated persons are members. I believe in the local Church, consisting of believers associated for worship, service, outreach, and fellowship.
The Resurrection
I believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe in the resurrection of the body, and the reward of the righteous, and the punishment of the wicked.