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The Catholic Church of Christ?
by Perry Hall I was asked this question: “Why is Catholicism wrong?” Here is my short reply: “One reason is it equates church tradition and inspiration. They are not equal in authority.” In theory, most of us in “churches of Christ” would agree – in theory. In practice, are we unofficially guilty? When someone objects,…
Read MoreDestroying God’s Temple
by Chadwick Brewer “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple” (I Corinthians 3:17). The church (the people, not the building) is holy. It is a place designed by God to be a dwelling fit for Him. This is something we should understand and…
Read MoreThe Wrath of God (Benton)
by Terry Wane Benton God showed His wrath (Romans 1:18) against sin and unrighteousness by destroying the earth with a flood (Genesis 6-9). The markings of that flood are still around to remind us of the wrath of God. Sodom and Gomorrah were burned up with fire and brimstone to remind us of the wrath…
Read MoreFollowing the Shepherd
by Zeke Flores Shepherding has changed little over the centuries. While more modern methods are used in the work—even trained dogs are used to direct and round up the sheep—it’s still pretty much a lonely life: just the sheep and their shepherd. In Jesus’ time, the shepherds kept their sheep safe for the night in…
Read MoreQuiet and Dignified
by Chadwick Brewer “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (I Timothy 2:1-2). Today’s popular culture encourages us to do anything…
Read MoreBy Their Fruits You Shall Know Them
by Floyd Chapellear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 1, March 31, 1990 There are two major views of life—the view of the believer and the view of the infidel. The believer’s position is simple: God created man in his own image (Genesis 1:27). Man is the offspring of God and is to conduct himself…
Read MoreA High, Wide Change
by David Gibson Lloyd Deal told our congregation about a song he heard Kenyan Christians sing: There’s been a high, wide change since I’ve been born again [repeated three times]. Some places I used to go I don’t go there anymore. Some things I used to say I don’t say them anymore. Some things I…
Read MoreGod Doesn’t Hear the Prayers of Sinners
by Zeke Flores We don’t know much about what the newly-seeing man in John 9 believed about many things, but he was right about this: God doesn’t hear the prayers of sinners (John 9:31). Both Old and New Covenants abound with the idea that God refuses the prayer of those who obstinately sin (see Isaiah…
Read MoreThe Scriptures Are for Correction
by Terry Wane Benton A few years ago, a gospel preacher said the Bible was not written to correct denominationalism. He thought he had some big point he was making. I pointed out that the Bible was not written to correct Muslims or Mormons in any direct way either, but indirectly, it was written to…
Read MoreThe New Idol?
by David Gibson A cartoon depicts people bowing to a golden calf. The calf is labeled SCIENCE. Do you find that amusing, offensive, or right on target? The word “science” simply means knowledge. One of the definitions of science is “systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation [dictionary.com]. Good…
Read MoreMinds “Stayed”
by Terry Wane Benton We want the peace of God, but the promise is for him “whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts You” (Isaiah 26:3). When peace is missing, we have to check two things: Is your mind “stayed” on God? and Are you trusting God? When the storms rage around us,…
Read MoreWas Joseph Smith, Jr., a Prophet of God?
by Dudley Ross Spears via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 1, March 31, 1990 Joseph Smith Jr. was an amazing American who claimed to be a true prophet of God. Millions of people worldwide believed his claim, which resulted in one of the largest religious bodies in existence. Everyone should believe everything he said if…
Read MoreHiring a Preacher
by Floyd Chapellear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 1, March 31, 1990 When the Lord sent the seventy, He provided for their financial care. Those who were taught the word were to provide for the needs of those who did the teaching. Similarly, the Lord showed that there should be a “communication” (koinoneo -…
Read MoreA Woman as Bishop
by Vance Trefethen via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 1, March 31, 1990 The recent elevation of Barbara Harris to the position of bishop in the Episcopal church stirred up a great deal of controversy within that denominational body and called the attention of the world at large to the role of women in the…
Read More“Eis Pantas” Redux
by Cloyce Sutton II via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 For over half a century, brothers and sisters in Christ have disagreed on the extent of local church benevolence. May a local church financially assist unbelievers? Or to put it differently, must a local church restrict its benevolence to Christians? I am convinced…
Read MoreWhat Does Preaching Accomplish?
by Bob Waldron The Old Testament prophet was the preacher of his day. He was inspired, but other than that, he served in the same role as preachers must serve today. There were all kinds: blunt Amos, noble Isaiah, austere Elijah. The various prophets also served different purposes. Some of them made virtually no converts…
Read MoreYou Can Only Live So Long
by Mike Johnson “You can only live so long.” According to an AP article, these were the last words of a tenor as he performed at the Metropolitan Opera House during a production in New York City. The man was standing at the top of a ten-foot ladder when he suffered a heart attack. He…
Read MoreEvil Continually (Genesis 6)
by Chuck Richardson via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 Genesis chapter 6 opens with the revelation that man was desperately evil, and God responded with a complete destruction of all living persons and things, save Noah and his household. The reason: Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8). Shall…
Read MoreWhat Is Truth?
by David A. Cox via Biblical Insights, Vol 15. No. 1, January 2015 Pilate asked the question in the trial of Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38), which has been asked many times. Many believe that truth is relative. Relative truth means that each individual determines the truth and what they believe the truth to…
Read MoreInnovations
by Moses E. Lard via Lard’s Quarterly, April 1865 The spirit of innovation is a peculiar spirit. While coming in, it is the meekest and gentlest of spirits; only it is marvelously firm and persistent. But when going out, no term but fiendish will describe it. It comes in humming the sweetest notes of Zion;…
Read MoreThe Mormon View on Polygamy
by Dudley Ross Spears via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 2, June 30, 1989 The word polygamy and the thought of religious orders summons up the name “Mormon.” The Mormons are one of the few religions professing some relation to Jesus Christ that have openly sanctioned and sometimes required polygamy. Their founder, Joseph Smith, Jr.,…
Read MoreWhat Is Repentance? (Trefethen)
by Vance E. Trefethen via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 2, June 30, 1989 Most people who have studied the Bible, even a little, know that repentance is an important part of God’s plan for the redemption of the souls of men. Jesus and the apostles connected it with baptism and forgiveness of sins (Luke…
Read MoreHomosexuality (Frazier)
by Ken Frazier via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 2, June 30, 1989 Homosexuality and the Church of England The general Senate of the Church of England, trying to satisfy both conservative and liberal wings, has decided that homosexual acts are not outright sin, but “fall short” of Christian ideals of marriage. The Lesbian and…
Read MoreHow Will It End?
by Terry Wane Benton How well was the input and output? What you take into the heart and what comes out of the heart in kindness, care, and good deeds will be the most important factor in how your life ends. So, rather than worrying about the manner of dying (will it be cancer, heart…
Read MoreFrom Now on Sin No More
by Zeke Flores There she sat, crumpled on the ground and completely humiliated. She was plainly guilty of her adultery, but her only defender turned the legal quibble into a moral quandary. Who had the right to judge her? No one, it seems. One by one, they dropped their stones and shuffled away. Jesus chose…
Read MoreGrieving God
by David Gibson How must God feel when He freely offers His great salvation, purchased at such dreadful cost, but the vast majority are not interested, too busy doing their own thing to care? A Recurring Theme “I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your…
Read MoreBe an Example (Chappelear)
by Floyd Chappelear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 2, June 30, 1989 A mature man who had been preaching full-time for only a couple of years once told me that he picked five men to study before he began such work. He examined the work and lives of these five men to pattern himself…
Read MoreSubmission vs. Acquiescence
by Chadwick Brewer “And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!” (I Samuel 10:24). Samuel was the judge of Israel for most of his life. Now that he was…
Read MoreDiscouragement or Encouragement
by Joe Works The Bad News I have a confession … I sometimes feel discouraged, and you may be my source of discouragement. I generally consider myself a pretty happy guy, so I hope my discouragement comes as a little shock to you. Social media, for me, is a place to see friends and lift…
Read MoreObervations on the Significance of Baptism
by Nathan Smelser I have a few observations on the oft-overlooked significance of baptism in the New Testament. When Paul writes to the saints and faithful brethren in Colossae, he repeatedly contrasts their formerly dead state with their present life in Christ. For example: “…having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were…
Read MoreControl
by Mark Chatfield via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 17 No. 4, June 30, 1991 Several days ago, I went for a lunchtime walk near the Air and Space Museum in downtown Washington, D.C., near my office. I was considering the fine weather and fresh breeze. Suddenly, a sheet from the Washington Post skittered diagonally across the…
Read MoreWill Only Members of the Church of Christ Be Saved?
by Jeff Cavender via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 31, 1989 While talking to some friends, I stated that I attended worship services at a local church of Christ when one of them asked, “Is that the group that believes that only the members of the church of Christ will be saved?” I…
Read MoreThe Narrow Way
by Chadwick Brewer “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14). To enter…
Read MoreRewriting the Bible
by Tom Wacaster It seems that the 20th and 21st centuries will go down in history as the age when men sought to rewrite the Bible and present to men what they want to hear rather than what God wants them to hear. The modern versions [for the most part] are the product of an…
Read MoreCan We Be Sure We Are Saved?
by Sewell Hall via Gospel Guardian, 23 December 1965 Many people spend a lot of time worrying about whether they are saved. Some believe that salvation involves a miraculous “better-felt-than-told” work of God within their fleshly heart, and they spend a lot of time trying to interpret past events in their lives to determine whether…
Read MoreGrace and Repentance
by Doy Moyer We are saved by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:5). Salvation is not of ourselves but is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-10). That teaching should be front and center for us. Grace also has a context that should never be ignored. We don’t have the authority to define it however we…
Read MoreWomen in God’s Scheme
by Floyd Chappelear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 31, 1989 An Amalekite, one of the people Saul had been commanded to destroy utterly (I Samuel 15:3), told David that he had killed the wounded Saul (II Samuel 1). David, acting hastily, ordered him slain without ascertaining the facts in the case. David…
Read MoreOpen My Eyes that I Might See (Article)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 31, 1989 The writer of Hebrews, in Hebrews 5:11-14, tells us that those full of age have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Most of us can understand how young Christians (spiritually young, that is) can be so easily mistaken…
Read MoreA Better Understanding of Hebrews 10:25
by David Gibson For a Bible passage to have the maximum impact, we must see how it connects with the Big Picture. The Scriptures speak of “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some” (Hebrews 10:25). How does this relate to God’s Grand Plan? Two verses before, it says, “. . .…
Read MoreA Study of Polygamy
by Dudley Ross Spears via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 31, 1989 Polygamy is probably the least important issue Christians face today. Yet, issues associated with it are becoming more and more prominent as they relate to the general issue of marriage. Few, if any, would dare to justify a spouse with multiple…
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