Reformed Theology

What is truth?

"What is truth?" Pilate asked Jesus that question and walked away without waiting for the answer. In John 18:28-40, Dr. Toby Holt examines the trial of Jesus before the Roman governor.

The Jewish leaders bring Jesus to Pilate because only Rome could carry out an execution. Pilate questions Him about being a king, and Jesus answers, "My kingdom is not of this world." The two talk past each other — one of eternal truth, the other of politics. Finding no guilt, Pilate offers to release a prisoner, but the crowd demands Barabbas. The guilty goes free; the innocent is condemned.

Questions this study answers:

1. Who was Pilate? The Roman governor of Judea, responsible for order. He found no crime in Jesus but lacked the courage to release Him.

2. Why did the leaders bring Jesus to Pilate? Only Rome could authorize an execution, and a quiet stoning was too risky at Passover. So they needed Pilate's verdict.

3. Why did the crowd choose Barabbas? They chose a guilty criminal over the innocent Jesus. In that exchange we see the gospel: the guilty go free because the innocent takes their place.

"My kingdom is not of this world… but now My kingdom is not from here." — John 18:36 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

How could Peter deny Jesus three times? In John 18:12-27, the bold disciple Peter denies even knowing Jesus — three times in one night. Dr. Toby Holt shows how quickly confidence can collapse, and how grace meets us in failure.

After Jesus is arrested, Peter follows at a distance and warms himself at the enemy's fire. Three times he is asked if he knows Jesus, and three times he says no. Then the rooster crows. Holt contrasts the faithful Rock, Christ, with the faltering Peter — yet this same Peter would later be restored and used mightily.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did Peter deny Jesus? Fear. Surrounded by hostile strangers, the same Peter who had promised to die for Jesus crumbled under pressure.

2. What did the rooster's crow mean? It marked the exact moment Jesus had predicted Peter's denial — a wake-up call that broke his heart and led to repentance.

3. What can we learn from Peter's fall? That self-confidence is fragile and we all need grace. Peter's story does not end in failure but in restoration.

"Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed." — John 18:27 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Why didn't Jesus resist arrest? In John 18:1-12, a small army comes to seize one unarmed man in a garden — and Jesus steps forward to meet them. Dr. Toby Holt shows that Jesus went to the cross willingly.

Judas leads soldiers to Gethsemane. When Jesus says, "I am He," the armed party draws back and falls to the ground — a glimpse of His true power. He could have walked free, but asks only that His disciples go. When Peter cuts off a servant's ear, Jesus heals it and says, "Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?"

Questions this study answers:

1. Why didn't Jesus fight back or flee? Because He came to die for His people. He surrendered willingly, even protecting His disciples in the process.

2. What did "I am He" reveal? It echoes God's own name, and the soldiers fell back at the words. Even at His arrest, Jesus was in control.

3. What is "the cup" Jesus speaks of? The cup of God's judgment against sin. Jesus chose to drink it fully so that those who trust Him never will.

"Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?" — John 18:11 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

What did Jesus pray for you? On the night before He died, Jesus prayed for His people — including those who would believe through the ages. In John 17:1-19, Dr. Toby Holt opens what is called the High Priestly Prayer. As the true and greater High Priest, Jesus prays first for the Father's glory, then for His disciples — not that they be taken out of the world, but kept from evil and "sanctified" by God's truth. The comfort: Jesus says He has kept all whom the Father gave Him, losing none.

Questions this study answers:

1. What is the High Priestly Prayer? Jesus' great prayer in John 17, where He intercedes for His followers just before the cross, like a priest praying for his people.

2. What did Jesus ask for His people? That they be protected from evil and made holy by God's truth, while remaining in the world as His witnesses.

3. What comfort does this prayer give? Jesus loses none whom the Father gives Him. Our security rests on His faithfulness, not the strength of our own.

"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." — John 17:17 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

How can we have peace in a hard world? In John 16:25-33, on the night before His death, Jesus promises His followers peace — even as He warns them trouble is coming. Dr. Toby Holt shows where lasting peace is found. Jesus tells the disciples plainly they will soon scatter and abandon Him, yet He does not leave them in despair: "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." The victory was already secured. Holt recalls Horatio Spafford, who lost his children at sea yet wrote, "It is well with my soul."

Questions this study answers:

1. How can Christians have peace in a troubled world? Not by escaping trouble, but by trusting the One who has already won. Jesus promises peace in Him in the middle of hardship.

2. Did Jesus hide the cost from His followers? No. He told them honestly they would face trouble and scatter, preparing them for hard days rather than promising an easy life.

3. What does "I have overcome the world" mean? The outcome is already settled. Christ's victory is sure, so His people can take heart no matter what they face. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace… be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." — John 16:33 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Can anyone stay neutral about Jesus?

No one is truly neutral about Jesus. In John 15:18-27, Jesus warns His followers that the world will hate them as it hated Him. Dr. Toby Holt explains why there is no spiritual middle ground. Because they belong to Christ, the disciples no longer belong to the world, which will treat them as it treated their Master. Holt takes apart the idea that people are born neutral "free agents"; the Bible says we are by nature turned from God until He changes our hearts. But Jesus promises the Helper, who testifies of Him.

Questions this study answers:

1. Is anyone spiritually neutral? No. The Bible teaches we are naturally turned from God until He changes us. Everyone is on one side or the other.

2. Why does the world resist the gospel? Because believers are fundamentally different, and that difference provokes hostility. Jesus said the world hated Him first.

3. What hope is there for those who face hostility? Jesus sends the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who bears witness to Christ and strengthens His people to stand.

"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you." — John 15:18 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

What does it mean to "abide" in Christ?

In John 15:1-8, Jesus calls Himself the true vine and His followers the branches. Dr. Toby Holt explains what it means to "abide" in Christ — and why it is a matter of life and death.

A branch cut off from the vine withers; believers are completely dependent on Christ. To abide is to stay closely connected to Him, drawing life from Him daily. The Father even prunes His people, cutting back good things for better ones. The proof of living faith is fruit.

Questions this study answers:

1. What does it mean to abide in Christ? To stay closely joined to Jesus and draw your life from Him, the way a branch depends on the vine.

2. Why does God "prune" His people? Like a gardener, He trims away even good things to produce something better. Pruning is a sign of His care, not His anger.

3. How can you tell if faith is real? By its fruit. A life truly joined to Christ will, over time, bear the fruit of His Spirit.

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." — John 15:5 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Who is the Holy Spirit? In John 14:15-26, Jesus promises His followers "another Helper" who will be with them forever. Dr. Toby Holt explains who the Holy Spirit is and what He does in every believer. The Spirit is not a vague force but a Person — Helper, Comforter, Counselor — who comes to live permanently within God's people, a greater privilege than even Old Testament saints knew. Jesus links love for Him with obedience, and the Spirit teaches, convicts, sanctifies, and gives courage.

Questions this study answers:

1. Is the Holy Spirit a force or a Person? A Person — the Helper sent by the Father. He is God Himself, not an impersonal power.

2. What does the Spirit do in a believer? He teaches, reminds us of Christ's words, convicts us of sin, makes us holy, and gives us courage.

3. Why is the Spirit's coming such good news? Because God now lives permanently within His people — a closeness even the Old Testament saints longed for. "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever." — John 14:16 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Where do you turn when your heart is troubled?

In John 14:1-6, with the cross just hours away, Jesus comforts His fearful disciples. Dr. Toby Holt opens some of the most reassuring words in all of Scripture.

The disciples are shaken — Jesus has spoken of leaving, of a betrayer, of Peter's denial. Into that fear He says, "Let not your heart be troubled," promising a prepared place in His Father's house. When Thomas admits they don't know the way, Jesus answers: "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

Questions this study answers:

1. How does Jesus comfort troubled hearts? He points beyond the present trouble to a prepared place with the Father and to Himself as the sure way there.

2. What did Jesus mean, "I am the way"? He is not one path among many; He is the only way to the Father. Salvation is found in Him alone.

3. Why does this passage still speak to us? Because we, like the disciples, face fear and loss. Jesus' promise of a home and a way home steadies anxious hearts.

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." — John 14:6 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.

Why did Jesus wash His disciples' feet?

In John 13:1-17, the Lord of all kneels down to wash the dirty feet of His disciples. Dr. Toby Holt explains the stunning humility — and deeper meaning — of that act.

Foot-washing was the lowest servant's job, yet Jesus takes the towel and basin Himself. When Peter protests, Jesus says, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me," pointing to the deeper cleansing only He gives. Even Judas's feet were washed.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did Jesus wash the disciples' feet? To show that true greatness is humble service, and to picture the deeper cleansing from sin that only He provides.

2. What did Jesus mean by "you have no part with Me"? He pointed beyond dirty feet to the spiritual washing every person needs — to be cleansed by Christ.

3. How does this apply to us? Jesus calls His followers to serve one another humbly, just as He served them. "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet." — John 13:14 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.