Archive for 2007
He Didn’t Fit the Picture
by Aaron Beard via Gospel Power, Vol. 14, No. 12, Mar. 25, 2007 The first-century Jew was one who was completely aware of the prophecies concerning the coming Messiah. The “Law and the Prophets” were constantly being read in public places. He would have undoubtedly been longing for the coming of the Messiah, the Savior of…
Read MoreHealing Sick Marriages
by Allen Dvorak via Gospel Power, Vol. 14, No. 33, Aug. 19, 2007 Any marriage which lasts for very long will experience some rough times. If the physical attraction which dominates the engagement period and the beginning of marriage for many couples is not accompanied by an abiding love, the relationship is on shaky ground.…
Read MoreShould the church building be used for weddings or funerals?
Question: A good friend of mine told me about your web site and that your material has been a wonderful resource for him. You have a wonderful article answering the question: “Is it scriptural to have recorded music (not vocal) in a wedding ceremony that is held in the church building?“ In that article you…
Read MoreWhat happened between Israel and Edom to cause Amaziah to invade them?
Question: What happened between Israel and Edom prior to II Chronicles 25:13? Answer: The invasion of Edom by King Amaziah of Judah is recorded in II Chronicles 25:5-16 and II Kings 14:7. Edom had been made a subjected nation by King David (II Samuel 8:13; Psalm 60:1). However, during the reign of King Joram, Edom…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between a Greek and a Gentile?
Question: Can someone help me understand who is referred to when the Bible speaks of a Greek and Gentile? For instance, Timothy’s father was Greek. Does that mean he was a Gentile? And Paul said in Romans 1, “It is the power of God … to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Is…
Read MoreHow can we be children of God and slaves of God at the same time?
Question: I have been struggling with the concept of “children of God.” I understand we are made children of God when we becoming Christians, yet we are bondservants to God and Christ — we are servants. I was wondering when it refers to us being children of God, is it a general reference like the…
Read MoreWhat do you think about the World Bible School?
Question: I am currently taking an introductory lesson from the World Bible School. Can you tell me what your opinion is regarding their lessons, if you have encountered them, or you can tell me what you think of the World Bible School itself? Do you find them helpful? If not, why not? Thank you, sir.…
Read MoreI laugh at your excuses that marriage is important in reference to the prevention of a sexually transmitted disease
Question: I laugh at your excuses that marriage is important in reference to the prevention of a sexually transmitted disease. You obviously do not understand the nature of a disease or infection. When speaking of sexually transmitted diseases, you stated, “This is just one of many reasons why sex should not take place outside of…
Read MoreThe Rule of Elders
On the Relation of Elders and Congregations Revised and Expanded by Dale Smelser Preface The following pages examine a subject of growing interest — the work of elders. I am confident the continuing discussion and study will help us focus ever more accurately upon the New Testament teaching about this important theme. This material, critical…
Read MoreShould I worship with a group that I think is teaching error in order to teach them the truth?
Question: It is only proper to first introduce myself. I am a 19-year-old guy and I live in the Philippines. I have been surfing your web site for almost half a year now (although not very often) and have in fact asked you probably less than five questions. Dear sir, I quite appreciate your labor…
Read MoreI think I’m getting too caught up in the “doing” parts of being a Christian. How can I improve?
Question: Since I have been baptized, I have really been trying to stay involved with church, tithing, and do all the things required of a believer. I have reached out to people and I think for the most part stayed away from sin. My struggles are probably the same for others but different, of course. …
Read MoreIs it a sin to have sex with my ex-husband?
Question: Is it a sin if you are having intercourse with your ex-husband? The reason for divorce is adultery. He has a girlfriend but denies it. He is a born again Christian. I still love him but he never speaks about making up, we only have intercourse. Is this biblically wrong? Answer: “Marriage is honorable…
Read MoreHow do you handle people trying to pull you into their problems?
Question: I am a Christian and so is the rest of my family. I request your prayer on behalf of my son, myself, and fellow Christians. My son and I used to work at a Christian school. However, we no longer are there — by choice I might add. The little school is really being…
Read MoreHow do I explain the second coming?
Question: I have a question: how do I explain the second coming? I heard how you described it when you gave the explanation of the rapture, but I’m still confused. Am I understanding correctly that Jesus will descend with the angels and the dead in Christ will rise up to meet him in the air…
Read MoreGrace and Mercy
Author Unknown Grace is giving to another what they don’t deserve. Mercy is not giving another what they deserve.
Read MoreWhat is the Christian’s response to postmodernism?
Question: I have been learning about postmodernism recently and have been surprised to hear their views about reality is socially constructed and accepting contradiction. I am wondering what the Christian response is to postmodernism? How do you refute the social construction perspective? How do you respond to people that are living with a postmodern view…
Read MoreThe Gospels and the Covenants
by Roger Blackwelder It has been observed that the traditional divisions we use to describe the Bible are inaccurate. Genesis through Malachi are called the Old Testament or Old Covenant. Matthew through Revelation are called the New Testament or New Covenant. The titles are problematic for at least two reasons: 1) The covenant between God…
Read MoreGod’s Prophetic Word
by Carey Scott The interesting thing about many of the prophecies of the Old Testament is that many of them have dual purpose and application. Of course, they were spoken and written to the people of the prophet’s day, and the purpose was to get them to repent and return to serving God who had…
Read MoreGod’s Image
by Shane Williams via The Lilbourn Light, Vol. 8, No. 4, Aug. 2007. Marcus Terentius Varro (116-27 B.C.) is described in the Encyclopedia Britannica as “Rome’s greatest scholar.” He wrote more than 400 books on many subjects. Among his writings is this statement: “They who first introduced images of the gods removed fear and added error.” This…
Read MoreCan you make some recommendations for a computer for a 14-year-old?
Question: I am hoping someone can help me sort through a lot of questions I have. First, my 14-year old son would really love to have a computer in his own room for Christmas. We are in need of a new computer anyway and since this is something he has wanted for several years, we…
Read MoreWhy were men in Jesus’ day required to have beards and not shave?
Question: Why were men in Jesus’ day required to have beards and not shave? What is the symbol of the beard? Answer: I’m not aware of any statement in the Bible indicating a requirement to wear a beard. There was an earlier question that talks about beards: Where does the Bible say facial hair is wrong? While…
Read MoreDoes true faith mean the command to be baptized does not save a person?
Question: I guess I would not mind seeing the other side of my argument. It is simply this: true faith saves you. I could go in-depth of what I mean if you would like me to, but I guess I just want to hit on the issue. I believe that baptism has absolutely no part…
Read MoreThe Genuineness of Mark 16:9-20
by Dudley Ross Spears The last verses from Mark’s gospel, (Mark 16:9-20) have been called “The Longer Ending of Mark.” The first time I came across this criticism it was in response to quoting verses 15 and 16. Mark 16:16 affirms, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not…
Read MoreFuneral Service for Viola Richardson
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton We are gathered here today to remember the life of Viola Richardson. Viola L. Richardson, 79, of Pickrell died on Friday afternoon, May 18, 2007, at St. Elizabeth’s Regional Medical Center in Lincoln. She was born on August 9, 1927, in Indianola, Oklahoma, and spent her childhood in Oklahoma and Texas,…
Read MoreShould I divorce my husband over something that happened twelve years ago?
Question: Twelve and a half years ago my husband was nearly arrested for having sex with another man in a public bathroom. At that time I also discovered he has a serious pornography addiction. He attended counseling for about six months and when the therapist moved he discontinued therapy. I believed he was repentant at…
Read MoreThe College Issue
(Six articles were published in Preceptor magazine by brother Robert F. Turner between April and October of 1962. They are presented here as one continuous thesis.) Educational Institutions Among the Brethren by Robert F. Turner (Preceptor, April 1962) Educational projects among members of the church of Christ began in the same way any other private enterprise…
Read MoreIs Desertion a Ground for Remarriage?
by Johnny Stringer Guardian of Truth XXIX: 5, pp. 137, 141, March 7, 1985 Jesus taught that marriage is permanent. In keeping with God’s original intent regarding marriage, He prohibited divorce and stated that all second marriages of divorced persons are adulterous (Matthew 19:3-9; 5:32; Luke 16:18). He made only one exception to this rule:…
Read MoreBusiness Meetings
I. In the organization of the church, we read – Eph 4:11 A. There were Apostles and prophets, involved in the establishment of the church. B. There are evangelists (preachers), pastors (elders), and teachers, involved in continuing the work to build up the church. C. Each part, working together, causes the growth of the church – Eph 4:14-16 1. Though…
Read MoreAn Urgent Need to Study
Text: II Timothy 2:8-19 I. It is fascinating to read well crafted prose or poetry. With just a few words, the author can communicate not only a message, but even a mood. A. Individual words are not flat. Even synonyms carry subtle differences in meaning. B. And the idea is not restricted to the English language. Languages…
Read MoreWhat did Jesus mean by “eat my flesh and drink my blood?”
Question: I would like to know in John 6:53-56 what does Jesus mean by “eat my flesh and drink my blood”? What do flesh and blood represent here? Answer: The statement is found in a discourse recorded in John 6. In the context, Jesus had feed over 5,000 people miraculously and this created a crowd…
Read MoreThe Firstfruits
by Ethan R. Longhenry “But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ’s, at his coming” (I Corinthians 15:23). Despair turned to excitement on that first day of the week so long ago when Jesus arose from the dead (John 20:1-31, etc.). In the midst of all the excitement, however,…
Read MoreEvidence from a Pottery Shard
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Skeptics of the Bible long have tried to deny that the text is as ancient as the Bible claims. One popular myth is to claim that the Old Testament was written during the Babylonian captivity and was a record of the Israelite’s legends. To that is added the claim that David…
Read MoreThe Enormity of It All
by Joel Solliday As a writer, I make mistakes. Once upon a blog, I claimed that a point my opponent was making was a “mute point.” I soon learned that an inconsequential point is actually a “moot point.” Oops! I have also misused the word enormity, as if it meant something BIG! Enormity actually refers to an atrocity, or an outrageous,…
Read MoreCan you help me understand who were the people with similar names?
Question: Some articles on the net are so confusing and misguiding that a layman finds it hard to understand or come to a conclusion about who is who. Will you please explain and guide me if these following honorable characters are different or the same? {A} John the Apostle, Evangelist, Theologian John of Patmos John…
Read MoreForgiveness
I. We must each face death A. But most of us have already experienced death. B. Death is a separation. 1. Physical death is a separation of the spirit from the body. 2. When our sins separate us from God, this is spiritual death – Isa. 59:1-3 C. Spiritual death is not permanent. To return, we must be forgiven of our sins.…
Read MoreA History Lesson on Mormonism
by Jerry Blount I published an article comparing the Mormon’s founders to the founders of Christianity. I noted that virtually every signatory witness to the golden plates either repudiated their testimony, left the Mormon faith or was excommunicated before they died. Comparably, we also noted that none of the authors of your Bible ran… even though…
Read MoreEllen G. White
by Jefferson David Tant Although there have been other proponents of observing the Sabbath day in modern times, Ellen G. White is the most prominent, as she is considered to be the founder of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. A full examination of her work would be the subject of another article, but there are…
Read MoreThe Elder Brother of the Prodigal Son
by Bob Myhan Many people fail to realize that the third parable of Jesus recorded in Luke chapter 15, is nowhere, in the inspired text, called “the Parable of the Prodigal Son.” In fact, the parable is given no name either by Jesus or by Luke. A more accurate designation would be “the Parable of…
Read MoreFaith and Works
by Carey Scott Many people reject the idea that these two words should be found in the same context. The reason is that while we need faith to receive God’s blessings and approval, we also realize that God’s grace is what saves us instead of works. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2 that we…
Read MoreDo You Pray?
by Bill Hall in The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, September 30, 2007; via The Gospel Observer, December 30, 2007 The worshiper who would pray in the assembly must do more than bow his head and close his eyes. He must pray. “Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will…
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