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Compare Babylonian “Coming” with the Roman “Coming”
by Terry Wane Benton Both times Jerusalem was destroyed it was the coming of the Lord by means of a powerful nation. When the Babylonians invaded and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC it was the Lord of Hosts (later named Jesus) who came in “glory” (Isaiah 2:12-22). The Lord came in His glory. He came…
Read MoreGodliness in Conflict
by Matthew W. Bassford The book of James has the reputation of being the most practical book of the New Testament, but Paul’s epistle to Titus surely must be considered in the same light. Titus is only three chapters long, but all three chapters are light on abstraction and heavy on concrete application. Especially in…
Read MorePlacing Membership
by Lee Moses Sometimes questions arise as to whether it is scripturally necessary, or even scripturally permissible, to “place membership” with a congregation. A modern brother or sister may raise the objection: “I’m a member of the church of Christ, and that’s good enough for me.” What this person means is: “I am a member…
Read MoreIts Own Body
by Terry Wane Benton Some brethren have gotten caught up in the AD 70 doctrine that the resurrection and only judgment happened in AD 70. They argue that the resurrection of “the body” is just a spiritual resurrection of the collective body of Christ (the church). So, they do some tripping around in I Corinthians…
Read MoreTruth and Law
by Terry W. Benton Today there is lawlessness going on at elevated proportions. Even churches that have claimed to be “of Christ” have been divided by a spirit of lawlessness. Some misuse “we are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:15) to give the undiscerning a scripture on which to justify their rebellion against…
Read MoreThe Church of Christ in 1771
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In a book titled, “A History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia” by Robert Baylor Semple, published in 1810 is a copy of this journal entry: “Wednesday Morning — Met and proceeded as follows: The church of Christ on Black Water, in Bedford, having sent neither letter…
Read MoreThe Reality of Satan
by Doy Moyer “Satan” is a descriptive term that means “adversary.” “Devil” means “slanderer.” These terms aptly describe the being who is known as the enemy of God and His people. The first encounter with the devil is seen in Genesis 3, where the creature here slandered God’s severity by telling Eve that if she…
Read MoreAre Examples Authoritative?
by Jefferson David Tant There is a school of thought among us that Biblical examples are good and instructive, but that an example is not authoritative, i.e., that we cannot bind examples today. I have seen that argument made concerning the Lord’s Supper. While one writer, a young preacher I have known for many years…
Read MoreShould a Christian Gamble?
by R. J. Evans In 1931, the state of Nevada legalized most forms of gambling. The city of Las Vegas, in particular, became the center of gambling in the U.S. Over the course of time, it has been referred to as “Sin City”, which is not surprising. Now, the city has developed a marketing catchphrase—…
Read MoreThe Desire for Justice
by Doy Moyer Justice is an idea that is not made of materials. It is not something we can physically hold, scientifically measure, or weigh with scales. It is conceptual, grasped only by the mind, and based upon an even more foundational notion about right and wrong, good and bad (which also are non-material). Even…
Read MoreNo Condemnation (2)
by Ken Green “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his…
Read MoreSet Your Mind
by Doy Moyer How Christians think and what they think about are critical in determining how they live. Once we decide that we will live for Jesus and sanctify Him as Lord in our hearts (I Peter 3:15), we are making a priority out of thinking about things that are excellent and worthy of praise…
Read MoreSacrifice and Drink Offering
by Doy Moyer After Paul encouraged the brethren to do all things without grumbling or disputing so that they could be lights in a dark world, he also wanted to have confidence that, in his own influence, he did not run or toil in vain (Philippians 2:16). He then made this statement using a metaphor…
Read MoreWhat I Would Say To My Children
by Jefferson David Tant Raising children is, I believe, one of the greatest responsibilities God has given us. By God’s design, a man and a woman have created something which will never cease to exist — a spirit that has been made in the image of God. Can you imagine the awesome feeling of responsibility…
Read MoreThe Corinthians’ Error on Baptism
by Perry Hall “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (I Corinthians 1:17 CSB). When people today use this passage to discredit the place and importance of baptism, ironically they make the same mistake as the Corinthians but for a different reason. Paul’s actual defense of baptism shows that…
Read MoreEvidence of the Divine Authority of the Bible
by Benjamin Franklin The Gospel Preacher, Vol. 1, Sermon 1, 1870 Text: “To whom he showed himself alive, after his sufferings, by many infallible proofs” (Acts 1:4). The Evangelist Luke, author of the book styled Acts of Apostles, made the statement just read, and now selected as a text for a discourse on the Divine…
Read MoreWhat Is Your Purpose?
by Jefferson David Tant Do you ever wonder: What is my purpose? Something remarkable happened in Fremont, California. Karen Cheng, age 17, received a perfect 1,000 on both sections of the S.A.T., and a perfect 8,000 on the tough University of California acceptance index. This had never happened before. She was a straight-A student, and…
Read MoreGrowing Deeper
by Ken Green “Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and billows have gone over me” (Psalm 42:7). The 17-18th century Scottish novelist, playwright, and poet, Sir Walter Scott wrote of the Bible: “The most learned, acute and diligent student cannot, in the longest life, obtain an entire knowledge…
Read MoreEvangelism Motivators
by Jefferson David Tant Adapted from Clarence Fell Evangelism is essential for growth. If we don’t do the work then no work gets done. Unfortunately, our attitude is not always good toward evangelism. We get tired and discouraged because we see little success in our efforts. Then the devil steps in and starts whispering, “What’s…
Read MorePlaying on the Edge
by Zeke Flores Some 2400 years ago, God’s people were confronted with their sins. Again. When Ezra the priest heard about how Israel had broken God’s law by marrying foreign women, he tore his robes, prayed, and fasted. When faced with the gravity of disobedience to God, the people committed themselves to faithfulness. And it…
Read MoreThe Self-Emptying Jesus
by Doy Moyer One of the most intriguing, discussed, and challenging texts in Scripture is found in the statement made by Paul in Philippians 2:5-8: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be…
Read MoreChristianity and Asceticism
by Matthew W. Bassford The other day, I got a text from my brother. It read in part, “If you want a mental exercise, compare and contrast Christianity, Stoicism, and the “Dokkōdō”. See any commonalities?” I’ve read my Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, so I have a handle on Stoicism, but I’d never heard of the…
Read MoreHow We Got the Bible
by Terry Wane Benton The Bible is one united book composed of 66 books. Where did it come from? Why was it written? Who caused these books to be written? The Bible gives the answers to these questions. “Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (II Peter 1:20-21). All…
Read MoreCharacteristics of the Spiritually Minded
by Jefferson David Tant Do you know anyone who is spiritually minded? This is someone who is more than being merely religious … more than having been baptized … more than attending services regularly … more than giving liberally. A person may do all of this and still not be spiritually minded, for Paul wrote…
Read MoreA Grand Promise
by Ken Green “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). We approach now one of the deepest passages of this most profound epistle. In the next few verses, Paul speaks to us of God’s purpose,…
Read MorePreaching and Prayer
by Dennis Allan Christianity Magazine March 1989 Considering the role of prayer in the life and work of New Testament preachers will challenge us to greater devotion and closer communion with God. The significance of prayer among early saints can be traced to Jesus, where we will focus our attention in this brief look at…
Read MoreThe Emergence of Denominational Leadership
Ed Harrell, “B.C. Goodpasture: Leader of Institutional Thought,” in Melvin D. Curry, ed., They Being Dead Yet Speak (FloridaCollege Lectures, 1981), pp. 249-250. (Excerpt from a section entitled “The Emergence of Denominational Leadership”). B. C. Goodpasture fits neatly into a sociological model of second-generation religious leaders. One can pretty well trace the evolution of a…
Read MoreLearning from Overlooked Details
by Steve Wolfgang As part of my morning devotional, a recent reading was “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (I Peter 1:1 ESV). I am fascinated by the geography of the opening verse. It prevents me from blitzing through…
Read MoreDiscipline in the Home
by Irven Lee Truth Magazine, February 17, 1983 Children do not have the ability at birth to understand the language of their parents. We all realize this, but we should also understand that these little people do not know the commonly accepted rules of etiquette, nor do they recognize property rights. Each child seems to…
Read MoreArguments I Used for the Use of Instrumental Music
(When I Was a Preacher for the Christian Church) by Dan Goddard Men have long been prone to go beyond the limitations of God’s word in their zeal to serve Jehovah. Zeal for God is commendable when it is coupled with a knowledge of God’s will; but when one allows his zeal to drive him…
Read MoreWhat Is a Good Minister?
by Jefferson David Tant adapted from an article by Ken Weliever “He’s a good preacher,” is often used to describe various gospel preachers. But what makes a good preacher? How would you define one? Is he a great orator? Can he captivate the audience? Does he preach soothing words? Can he preach without offending anyone?…
Read MoreJamaica Patois Wisdom – Virtue
by Jefferson David Tant The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique, and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought-provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come…
Read MoreCalvinism and the Great Commission
by Wayne Jackson John Calvin (1509-64) was a religious reformer and theologian. The basic premise of his theology was the absolute sovereignty (right to reign) of God, out of which evolved his misguided theory of “predestination.” The Swiss reformer believed that human “free will” was destroyed by man’s “original sin”; thus, the innate power to…
Read MoreThe Greater Progress of the Gospel
by Doy Moyer One of the highlights of Paul’s attitude is that he was always more concerned for the spread of the gospel than for his own personal agenda or safety. He was willing to die for the Lord if it meant that the gospel would be proclaimed and more would be saved. He expresses…
Read MoreBearing a Different Gospel Beautifully
by Matthew W. Bassford The apostle Paul was fond of sarcasm, not because he didn’t love people, but because he did. When Christians he had converted turned aside from Christ, it drove him to distraction, and that distraction often found its expression in heartfelt exasperation. One such expression appears in II Corinthians 11:4. In contrast…
Read MoreNo Condemnation
by Ken Green Text: Romans 8:1-4 The major theme the apostle is dealing with continues to be the results of justification by faith. This thesis was taken up in Romans 5:1, “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have…” The closing verses of chapters 5, 6, and 7 serve to underscore the direction of the…
Read MoreTruth Is Not Geographically Convenient
by Perry Hall I’m not a fan of “Field of Dreams Evangelism.” That is, “Let’s build a church building on the other side of town to make it easier for people to come to church.” In other words, “If we build it, they will come.” Good intentions, but I doubt much evangelism will take place…
Read MoreA Gouge in a Pew
by Matthew W. Bassford A couple of weeks ago, I attended a friend’s funeral in an unfamiliar church building. I took a seat by an aisle and shortly noticed a gouge in the back of the pew support in front of me. The gouge was at knee height. To the left/exterior, it was narrow and…
Read MoreThe Kingdom of God Was Established in Acts 2
by Terry Wane Benton Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of four consecutive world empires (Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman) and in the days of the fourth kingdom on earth (Roman) God would “set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44) and “it shall stand forever.” Jesus Reigns as King Daniel had another vision…
Read MoreChanging the Book of Mormon and other Mormon Absurdities
by Jefferson David Tant One of the strange Mormon doctrines states that the reason for the dark skin of Negroes and Indians is that God cursed them as the result of sin. But as the result of these people being converted, their skin would lighten, and they would become a “white and delightsome people” (2…
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