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Revelation
by Terry Wane Benton When something has been unknown and mysterious in the past, and then God reveals a thing that was once unknown, you call that a “revelation”. The last book of the Bible was not intended to be too secretive and mysterious; else it would not “reveal” anything. While the literary style demands…
Read MoreLove’s High Call
by Terry Wane Benton Jesus calls us to love even those who will not love us back. In fact, He calls us to love even those who will hate us regardless. That is a tall order. He not only called us up to that standard, but He demonstrated it Himself. To those laughing and mocking,…
Read MoreJoy Comes Back
by Terry Wane Benton “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalms 30:5). David had plenty of dark and sad moments. Loss of children and heartache so deep it would drive him to incredible lows and sadness. Add to that his many critics who hated him without just cause, who…
Read MoreTrials of Life (Behle)
by Jack Behle via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 2, June 1995 If it is not certain that God knows the condition of our hearts at all times, it is certain that He could know. In I Samuel 16:7 we find, “The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but…
Read MoreWho Will Render
by Ken Frazier via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 2, June 1995 “Who will render to every man according to his deeds” (Romans 2:6). The word render is variously translated in the New Testament. Strong’s lists these words as synonyms. “Deliver, give, pay, repay, perform, recompense, render, requite, restore, reward, sell, yield.” According to Paul in…
Read MoreListened Up to This Word
by Hugh DeLong Paul stood on the steps leading to the temple area and addressed the Jewish people. They had falsely accused him of bringing a gentile, Trophimus, into the temple area. The Roman army rescued him, and now he speaks to the angry mob. When they heard him speaking to them in Hebrew, they…
Read MoreUnintentional Sin
by Zeke Flores “If anyone of the common people sins unintentionally … then he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without defect, for his sin which he has committed” (Leviticus 4:27-28). Leviticus 4 deals with unintentional sin. Not rebellion, not defiance, just the stuff we do without thinking. The careless words. The…
Read MoreWhen Someone is Your Friend
by Terry Wane Benton When someone is your friend, he doesn’t stab you in the back, hurt you, and hold you at a distance. He defends you and upholds your honor. He doesn’t join in the disparaging talk of those who, for no good reason, decided that they did not like you or want you…
Read MorePerfectly Good Conscience
by Hugh DeLong “Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, ‘Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day'” (Acts 23:1). Paul will say in Acts 24:16: “In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before…
Read MoreFighting the Good Fight Against Feminism
by Vance E. Trefethen via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 2, June 1995 The word “Feminism” carries strong connotations. It is distressing to see it thrown about so casually by many whenever disagreements arise over the role of men and women in the church. It is always easier to label someone who disagrees with you…
Read MoreWhy Does God Delay So Long in Bringing Justice?
by Paul Earnhart via Biblical Insights, Vol. 14 No. 8, August 2014 In Ecclesiastes 8, the Preacher concludes his wise counsels and observations with the frequently repeated warning that, however great may be the wisdom of men, it can never penetrate and explain God’s work “under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 8:16-17; cf. also Ecclesiastes 1:18; 3:11; 6:12;…
Read MoreHandling the Hurdles
by George Hutto via Biblical Insights, Vol. 14 No. 8, August 2014 “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” (Matthew 18:7) The in-laws had given us that peach-colored leather couch, and brother Jim Underwood went with me to…
Read MoreA Word Fitly Spoken – The Power of a Positive “No”
by Andrew G. Berendt via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 1, March 1995 As you know, there is a nationwide campaign underway, being touted by everyone from the former First Lady of the United States to local elementary school teachers. We are reminded by billboards, T.V. and radio ads, bumper stickers, and badges, to “Just Say…
Read MoreBaptism – Faith in the Powerful Working of God
by Edwin Crozier I honestly do not understand why there is so much debate surrounding baptism. To be clear, I get the doctrinal wranglings and how they have developed. I just don’t understand how they hold sway in light of what the Bible clearly says about baptism. I’m not even really sure why the issue…
Read MoreA Slave to His Appetite
by David Gibson Esau was so famished the day he sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup that he probably had no trouble eating all that Jacob gave him. His eyes were not bigger than his stomach, but his stomach was bigger than his soul. Esau’s problem Like so many today, Esau allowed…
Read MoreSimple Offerings
by Zeke Flores “Now when anyone presents a grain offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour, and he shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it” (Leviticus 2:1). The grain offering was simple: no animal, no blood; just flour, oil, and frankincense. It was the everyday…
Read MoreWilling to Die
by Hugh DeLong “Then Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus'” (Acts 21:13). Paul, the last of the apostles selected by Jesus, was to join the rest of the…
Read MoreKoine Greek – Discovered as the New Testament Language in the 1890s
by Luther Martin via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 1, March 1995 It could be considered one of the most mysterious yet most important detective stories of ancient and modern times. The God of heaven had provided a collection of sixty-six separately written books, designed to instruct mankind in morally upright thought, speech, and action. This…
Read MoreThe Five Acts of Worship?
by Gardner Hall via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 1, March 1995 It seems that some have begun to treat what are commonly called the “five acts” as if they were a heavenly checklist that God has given to local churches. Occasionally, one hears someone announce with solemn tones, “We have now completed one act of…
Read MoreDebate: The Days of Genesis 1
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 1, March 1995 Point by Shane Scott The Bible teaches that God created the universe from nothing. Contrary to naturalistic evolution, it teaches that different kinds of animals were created distinctly. Contrary to theistic evolution, it teaches that man was created separately from all animals and made in God’s image.…
Read MoreDisciples Worship
by Hugh Delong Even a cursory search will provide these pictures of the Christians in the first and second centuries and their continuing worship on the first day of the Week (cp. Acts 20:7 in the New Testament). The New Testament Itself (A.D. 50s–90s) Before turning to external sources, the New Testament gives us several…
Read MoreWorks
by Terry Wane Benton Paul believed that there were two kinds of works: Works of the law of Moses, where you would have to earn a right standing with God (Romans 3:28; 4:2,4). Since all are condemned by sin, this will never happen (Romans 3:23; 6:23). This is the kind where he says “not of…
Read MoreFear Your Mother
by Doy Moyer What the world generally knows as Mother’s Day is a tradition that has come down to us through many twists and turns through the centuries. We won’t go into that here. As we know it now, this day is a tradition that honors our mothers for all that they have done for…
Read MoreThe Same Mind
by Terry Wane Benton There is a command in I Corinthians 1:10 that deserves our attention. How do you get a group of people who are divided in their affections and interests and preferences to be of the “same mind and the same judgment”? And, by extension, how would we make sure that, as individual…
Read MorePaul’s Letter to Colosse
by Edwin Crozier Paul introduced his letter to the Colossians with a prayer for the disciples and a praise of their King. Then in Colossians 1:21-23, he outlines the plan for the rest of his letter, describing the relationship between the disciples and their king. However, he does so in reverse order, setting up an…
Read MoreHow Can We Help Someone in a Time of Loss?
by David Gibson A woman has a miscarriage. A middle-aged man is laid off at work. A family’s house burns. Parents lose a teenage son to suicide. A child is diagnosed with cancer. A surviving spouse must now go on without the other. Responding to loss A common response to the suffering of people we…
Read MoreGod’s Son, the King
by Edwin Crozier I hope you are into memorizing Scripture. If not, I encourage you to get started. And a great place to start is Colossians 1:15-20. This passage answers the question, “Who is Jesus?” The description of Jesus falls naturally into two sections. Both sections explain Jesus as the firstborn (πρωτότοκος/prōtotokos). Psalm 89:26-27 describes…
Read MoreTimothy Was Circumcised
by Hugh DeLong When you move from Acts of the Apostles 15 into chapter 16, the question naturally arises: has Paul just contradicted himself? In Acts 15, circumcision as a requirement tied to the law is clearly rejected. Yet in Acts 16:3, Paul the Apostle circumcises Timothy. The answer lies in a distinction that must…
Read MoreGrace and Truth
by Bill Boyd After his presidency, Jimmy Carter returned to his home in Plains, Georgia, and taught a Sunday School class at the Maranatha Baptist Church. His book, “Sources of Strength,” is a compilation of his Sunday School lessons. He did not condescend to the Bible’s contents as one might expect from a high worldly…
Read MoreFour Biblical Purposes of Marriage
by David Gibson “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD” (Proverbs 18:22 NASB). Why marry? The Bible offers two options: 1) being married or 2) remaining single. Each has its own advantages (I Corinthians 7). Whether to marry is an individual decision. Peter, for example, was married;…
Read MoreQuiet Obedience
by Zeke Flores “Now Bazalel made the ark of acacia wood” (Exodus 37:1). This verse seems simple, but it marks the beginning of something sacred. Bezalel isn’t just building furniture; he’s building the place where God’s presence will rest. And he starts with obedience. Quiet, steady obedience. Sometimes the most meaningful things in your life…
Read MoreAtheists Ask About Murder
by Perry Hall Atheists pose this supposed conundrum: “Did God condemn murder because it is wrong?” Or “Is murder wrong because God condemns it?” This is the horns of the dilemma atheists are hoping Christians will be gored upon by selecting either choice. A philosophy of mine is, when offered two inadequate choices, don’t let…
Read MoreThe False Teaching “Jehovah Witnesses”
by Samuel A. Matthews “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Matthew 7:15 KJV). Loved ones, the church which Christ established is the kingdom of God on the earth today. When Christ promised to build His church, He called it “the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew…
Read MoreSuch Were Some of You
by Heath Rogers “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you…
Read MoreI Will Follow Thee
by Kenneth Frazier via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 1, March 1995 “And it came to pass, that as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest” (Luke 9:57). This passage in Luke provides a helpful insight into human nature. Three persons are mentioned by…
Read MoreThe Alternative to Autonomy
by Steve Dewhirst via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 1, March 1995 Considering our brotherhood’s abundance of controversies, teamed with an all-too-common sectarian mindset, it’s not surprising that some are beginning to show their true colors. Historically, brethren have revered the sacred axiom of church autonomy in principle, if not in actual practice. We have taught…
Read MoreVictims of Our Own Success
by Floyd Chappelear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21, No. 1, March 1995 Nothing is quite so easy to learn as error. One can easily pick up bad habits in nearly any athletic endeavor, but one will find it very difficult to get rid of them. Mistakes are easily learned, but correct procedures are not. If you…
Read MorePeter Was Led Astray
by Hugh DeLong Error can affect any of us. Peter was used to convert Cornelius and his household. Then he defended that action: “Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”…
Read MoreHow Can We End Confusion About the Book of Revelation?
by Bob Prichard There is probably no book of the Bible that is more often misunderstood, misapplied, or abused than the book of Revelation. It has been the “jumping-off” point for cults and wild religious speculation for centuries. Simply understanding the book’s purpose and nature would end the confusion. It begins, “The Revelation of Jesus…
Read MoreHow Many Containers in the Lord’s Supper Cup?
by Terry Wane Benton Some divisions have plagued churches over the meaning and use of the word “cup” when Jesus spoke of taking “this cup” as He instituted the Lord’s Supper from the old Passover meal. Was Jesus telling His disciples to use only one container among them, and that even when they suddenly grew…
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