He Had Faith to Be Healed
by William J. Stewart It is a common perception in the religious world that one must have adequate faith for one to be healed. This false idea has allowed many fake healers to save face when their hypnotic advantage over a would-be recipient has failed. And as sure as it has been a refuge for…
Read MoreA Case of Rationalization
by Gary Smalley via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 The word “rationalize” is on my short list of words whose spelling and meaning don’t go together. Somehow, they just don’t fit. Maybe I confuse this word with acceptable “reasonableness.” Or it could be the experience of too many math classes (a rational number…
Read MoreChoose One of the Three
by Gardner Hall via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 A Hispanic friend who could be described as “progressive” wrote the following, which I’ll translate literally: Three types of believers: With which do you identify? Three types of believers: Those who believe that they are justified only by the merits of Jesus and nothing…
Read MorePsalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
by Wayne S. Walker via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 We know from the New Testament and can infer from later writings of church leaders that Christians of the first century did sing in their worship, but we do not know precisely what songs they sang or exactly how they sang them. Some…
Read MoreIs the Lord’s Arm Shortened?
by Chadwick Brewer “And the LORD said to Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not” (Numbers 11:23). Moses had led the masses of Israelites into the wilderness. After a year of living outside of Egypt, the people began to complain about the…
Read MoreThe Peace of God
by Terry Wane Benton Ezekiel 37:25-27 prophesied of Jesus (son of David) in this manner: “My servant David shall be their prince forever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary…
Read MoreThe Prophet: Who Is He?
by David Gibson Who was Moses pointing toward when he said, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me . . . you shall listen to him” (Deuteronomy 18:15 NASB)? The Jews of the first century were expecting this Prophet (John 1:19-21; 6:14; 7:40). Whoever it is would be remarkable…
Read MoreStrength in Christ
by Dudley Ross Spears via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 3, September 30, 1990 Christians need much more strength than those who make no pretense of serving the Lord. The life Christians are called on to live is not the easiest life. While it offers the greatest rewards and provides the greatest blessings here and hereafter,…
Read MoreVessels for God’s Glory: A Conversion Story
by Charles N. Spence, Jr. via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 3, September 30, 1990 I’ll never forget the first sermon I preached: “Jesus Is Love,” just before I was ordained a Methodist preacher in the AME Zion Conference. I never imagined that the thoughts expressed in that lesson would become an important reality in my…
Read MoreHey Kids, Could You Use a Little More Money?
by Gary Calton via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 3, September 30, 1990 There’s nothing like a little added incentive to get your attention. Everyone would like to make a “little” more money to ease the burden of bills. Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that researchers Greg Duncan at the University of Michigan and Saul…
Read MoreThe Greatest Need
Author Unknown originally published in Bible Herald, September 15, 1953 republished in Reminders, Vol. 2 No. 10, March 6, 1966 via “Tidbits by Tom Butterfield,” Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 3, September 30, 1990 The greatest need of all mankind is the Christ. We need to know more about Him, we need to obey Him, we need to…
Read MoreThe Relationship Between Worship and Obedience
by Vance E. Trefethen Have you ever heard someone say that worship and obedience are essentially the same thing or that every act of obedience is an act of worship? I’ve heard these concepts expressed privately by Christians and even taught publicly. A few months ago, I decided to study worship for myself to see…
Read More1>99
by Clay Gentry In Luke 15:3, Jesus poses a simple question that pierces through the layers of our comfort and complacency: “What man among you…?” Even though it’s the opener to the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus isn’t asking about animals; he’s focusing on people. He’s challenging us to examine our hearts. Are we…
Read MoreEzekiel and Preaching Truth
by Terry Wane Benton Ezekiel had a most challenging job, preaching the truth to people who were not ready to appreciate it. God gave Ezekiel the vision of God’s awesome greatness, and when a preacher preaches because he has a great concept of God, he can preach the hard truths that the people need to…
Read MoreA Strong Condemnation of the Preeminent
by Ross Ward, Jr. “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in…
Read MoreSeven Reasons to Love Others
by Perry Hall God commands it. “Because God said so” must be good enough to obey. But we want more, don’t we? Maybe we should need more reasons! It imitates God. That is the highest motivation. God loved us while we were His enemies (Romans 5:8-10). It helps others (Romans 12:20-21). Just because we do…
Read MoreBut It Hurts!
by David Gibson Why we suffer may be the most troubling of all questions. Atheists’ strongest argument is: How could a good God permit suffering? It is important to know what the Bible says about this so we won’t lose faith or grow bitter. Suffering is a complex issue. It has no single cause. Sometimes…
Read MoreWhy didn’t Paul heal Trophimus or Epaphroditus?
Question: Good day, sir, May Almighty God continue to bless and strengthen you. My question is: If the Apostle Paul still had the power to heal, why would he leave Trophimus sick, while Epaphroditus was also sick to the point of death in Philippians 2:27, and encouraged Timothy to use a little wine for his…
Read MoreA Spiritual Beauty Contest
by Orlando Gonzalez I have a question: Which is more beautiful, a 2015 Aston Martin DB10 or a Madonna Lily? I know, I know. You might be asking yourself, “Orlando, what kind of question is that? You can’t compare a luxury car to a mere flower. What’s wrong with you?” Yes, I understand what you…
Read MoreJesus Is God
Jesus Is GodJesus Is God – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Titus 2:11-14 I. The religious world holds diverse views in regards to Jesus A. Is he a man or God? Or is it possible for him to be both? B. Oneness Pentecostals argue that there is only one God, and his name is Jesus.…
Read MoreWhy am I forced to be single?
Question: I am 43 male Christian. I have never been married, and I am a virgin. I never chose to be single or celibate. I could never gain the interest of the opposite sex, so I have been forced to be celibate. Does being forced to be celibate and not being able to get a…
Read MoreA Few Words about Our Thrill-Seeking Culture
by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. In recent years, we have developed a thrill-seeking culture – a culture moved more by emotional stimuli than careful thought – that affects many facets of our lives. I have not been to a movie in years, but I have seen trailers on TV and digital video and heard people…
Read MoreDefining Ourselves
by David Gibson “If we are left to define ourselves, it is impossible to know who we are” (author unknown). How some define themselves Many believe they are the product of a long evolutionary development from lower life forms. But soon after creating lower forms of life, God said, “Let Us make man in our…
Read MoreSongs of the Saints: James W. McFadden
by Wayne S. Walker In his book Hymns and History, Forrest M. McCann wrote, “Various individual Christians have published hymnals used more or less regionally in the United States and by segments of the Stone-Campbell Movement. Among these, without any effort to be definitive, are the following: S. H. and Flavil Hall, The Gospel Message…
Read MoreO Wretched Man that I Am
by Terry Wane Benton The law of God is like an X-ray machine that reveals the contamination and cancer of the soul, called sin. The law shows us that we have neglected our great salvation, failed to glorify God as we should, and have not even been thankful for all the daily gifts of life and…
Read MoreEastern Orthodoxy and the Churches of Christ
by Gregory Alan Tidwell The midweek hush drifted across a modest church building on a quiet street in a small Southern town. A group of young men—fresh-faced, sincere, poised with open Bibles—exchanged thoughtful glances. Their heritage was the Churches of Christ, shaped by the American Restoration Movement. Yet, on their phones at night, the glowing…
Read MoreImplications of the 23rd Psalm
by David Gibson We cannot make it without the Shepherd. Sheep need their shepherd. So do we (Ezekiel 34:11-16, 23). What a Palestinian shepherd did for his flock, Jesus does for His sheep: He leads, provides, and protects (Isaiah 40:11). Self-reliance is folly. It takes humility to admit we can’t make it without Him. Only…
Read MoreThe Value of Your Soul
by Zeke Flores There is no pile of money, no hoard of jewels, no parcel of land you could trade that would be worth your ever-living soul. And yet, we’ve all sold it for far less: A momentary pleasure, a brief sensation, a passing gratification that leaves us unfulfilled and dissatisfied. So, what could be…
Read MoreIs Change Always Better?
by Doy Moyer I recently went to my favorite donut shop to get an apple fritter and, to my dismay, found that they had changed it. This was my favorite fritter, so when I saw it was not recognizable, I wondered why they would do it. (Honestly, it was a little difficult not to take…
Read MoreWere the apostles in full agreement on all doctrine?
Question: Were the apostles in full agreement on all doctrines? Answer: “Doctrine” means teachings. Jesus told his apostles, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to…
Read MoreI have a fear that I was baptized incorrectly
Question: Hi there, I know you’ve probably answered many questions like mine, but I’m just struggling with a lack of peace. I ache for peace, and I am praying for help. I doubt my baptism, and I just wanted to seek guidance. I do struggle with moral OCD, and I do think it’s my overthinking,…
Read MoreWhat would you advise about my relationship with an older woman?
Question: I’ll tell you everything I can remember. My first relationship started when I was 18 years old. I didn’t get married and stayed with her for two years until it all ended. It ended because I wanted out and threw away a relationship that was working out well. I blamed myself for a long…
Read MoreGod or Humanism?
by Terry Wane Benton How can one determine that humans are more important than anything if everything is just different forms of material accident? To be a humanist is to make humanity your god and devote religious belief to the superiority of man, and that becomes your dogma and tradition. It is a matter of…
Read MoreIs a gathering in a care facility a church gathering?
Question: I am autistic and live in a facility. I can’t drive from here to any church. My sister could bring me, but she is not very consistent. I can’t rely on her early Sunday mornings. However, the facility I am at has an hour-long gathering of believers on Monday evenings. They sing a hymn,…
Read MoreDo you need to be baptized again after falling away and returning?
Question: I trusted Christ as my Savior when I was a teenager, but I wasn’t baptized. Then I read Mark 16 and was scared, so I got baptized at a Pentecostal Church. However, they taught that baptism didn’t save, and I wasn’t sure if it did when I was baptized. A couple of years ago,…
Read MoreJust another thank you for a great website
Question: Hello, Just another thank you for your great website. I’ve been reading for quite a while about The Development of the New Testament Text by Jim Snapp, 2nd. Wow, my head hurts. I’m not sure I agree with the first few paragraphs, but it is a lot for an old man to assimilate. Thanks…
Read MoreHow Long Will You Hesitate Between Two Opinions?
by David Gibson “Decision,” wrote Gordon Graham, “is a sharp knife that cuts clean and straight; indecision is a dull one that hacks and tears and leaves ragged edges behind it” [Bits & Pieces]. Israel could not seem to make up their minds whether they would serve the Lord or Baal. The Conflict Then King…
Read MorePerversion of the Love of God
by Terry Wane Benton Many want to continue a sinful practice so much that they think they can use the love of God to justify it. God does so love the world that He gave His Son to die for sinners. He loved me while I was yet a sinner (Romans 5:8; John 3:16). But…
Read MoreHow do you deal with a spouse who isn’t living a godly life?
Question: How does a married person obey I Corinthians 5:9-11 in regards to avoiding eating or associating with such a person when the person he is married to claims to have accepted Christ as her Savior but repeatedly commits physical, emotional, and online adultery? What do you do when you discover that she was married…
Read MoreWhat Is the Work of the Church?
by Kyle Ellison Recently, I came across a discussion where community members discussed the need for churches to expand their activities. More physical fitness facilities, more sports options for Christian families, more clothing drives, more dinners, more food drives, more bookstores, improved coffee facilities for first-time guests, and on the list went. It caused me…
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