Article
Types and Their Abuse
by Jerry C. Ray The Gospel Guardian, 5 January 1961 and 12 January 1961 Webster’s Dictionary defines type as “a person or thing regarded as the symbol of someone or something that is yet to appear.” The word “type” (Greek — tupos) is from the Greek word, tuptein — to strike, as when a hammer…
Read MoreThe Elder’s Children
by Jerry C. Ray The Gospel Guardian, 26 November 1964 In the study of the qualifications for elders, one of the most frequently asked questions is regarding the “children” (I Timothy 3:4; Titus 1:6). Does the expression necessitate a plurality, or does it mean that a man is qualified with either (A) one child, or…
Read MoreHow Does the Birth of Jesus Bring Peace on Earth?
by Wes Adams “Hark! The herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!’” These are the words of a well-known carol by Charles Wesley. The song describes the scene in Luke 2, in which angels are announcing the birth of Jesus. The angels declared, “Glory…
Read MoreIs the Church Important?
by Jefferson David Tant Is God’s church important? Does it have any significant place in our lives, or is it just something concerning which we have a choice — to be a part of it, or do our own thing? It is pretty obvious that many in the “Christian” world today see no real value…
Read MoreThe Mystery of Godliness (Moyer)
by Doy Moyer Paul through the Spirit provides what early Christians confessed, possibly even sang. He calls it the “mystery of godliness.” Yet what had been a mystery was revealed and understood through Jesus (Ephesians 3:1-6). “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit,…
Read MoreThe Salvation Army
by David Weaks I wonder how many people know that the Salvation Army is a church. The only time you see them is at Christmas time when the red kettles and bell ringers show up at entrances to shopping malls. How many times have people tossed money into the kettle, accepted the cheery “God bless…
Read MoreThe Proper Source of Authority
by Heath Rogers “Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, ˜By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?'” (Matthew 21:23). The chief priests and elders who confronted Jesus were asking legitimate questions.…
Read MoreGod with Us
by Doy Moyer The coming of Jesus into this world, with all it entails, is more important than any or all events in this world combined. The light has come into a world of darkness, and darkness could not comprehend it. God is with us. Consider that Joseph was told not to be afraid to…
Read MorePossess Your Vessel
by Mike Thomas The Thessalonians were surrounded by immorality and ungodly influences, but those who became Christians “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (I Thessalonians 1:9). In encouraging them to fulfill this commitment, Paul reminded them of the need to avoid the sexual immorality that was very common in…
Read MoreBy What Authority Are You Doing These Things?
by Heath Rogers “Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, ˜By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?'” (Matthew 21:23). A study of authority in religious matters is very important. It lies…
Read MoreA Round Tuit
by Jefferson David Tant Dear Reader, If you are reading this, you are probably wondering what in the world that circle represents. Well, there is a name for it. It’s called “A Round Tuit.” You may not be familiar with an image with that name, but the title of the circle is a well-known phrase.…
Read MoreOur Part Is to Try and Trust
by Gary Henry Reaching Forward 31 October 2012 “In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good” (Ecclesiastes 11:6). One of life’s great discouragements is the thought that it “won’t…
Read MoreA Lack of Knowledge Brings Destruction
by Andy Sochor Through the prophet Hosea, God made known His “case against” His people (Hosea 4:1). The Lord’s complaint was that there was “no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land” (Hosea 4:1). Because of their unfaithfulness, God was going to destroy them. The people, priests, and prophets were all to…
Read MoreHave You Been Bewitched? – Galatians 3:1-5
by Thomas Thornhill In these verses, Paul calls the Galatians “foolish” and “bewitched” for being deceived by Judaizing false teachers. He doesn’t believe in such superstition but uses it as sarcasm to make them think. How did they receive the Spirit that brought justification and salvation? Paul is deeply distressed that the Galatians were so…
Read MoreAn Unlikely Candidate
by George Slover “Then Ananias answered, ˜Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name” (Acts 9:13-14). The initial reaction of Ananias to God’s instructions to preach…
Read MoreA Review of Homer Hailey’s book, “God’s Judgments and Punishments”
by Jim R. Everett Such is the title of the last book of brother Hailey’s illustrious career. Brother Hailey was writing excellent, resourceful material well past his 70th birthday. However, if I live to be 70, I will probably quit writing. That is not to denigrate others who write so ably when they are much…
Read MoreWatering Down Hell
by Jim R. Everett An Answer to “Conditional Immortality” The modern, liberal theologian has joined the cultic religionist in seeking to “water down” hell and make eternal punishment nothing more than a momentary oxidation of the body. He inconsistently affirms the eternal nature of God and the future state of the righteous by denying the…
Read MoreJesus, the Stone of Stumbling
by Doy Moyer “But the LORD (Yahweh) of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants…
Read MoreSeeking the Face of God
by Mike Johnson Many think David wrote Psalm 27 when fleeing from Saul, which is likely the case. Earlier in the Psalm, he expresses strong faith and confidence in God, but Psalms 27:8-9 reflect him apparently facing difficulties. In these verses, he addresses God saying, “When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to…
Read MoreAre We Asking the Right Question About God and Evil?
by Perry Hall I have been studying and teaching “The Problem of Evil and Theodicy.” The main question usually asked is, “If God is good, why does God allow evil in this world?” The question needs to change. Change is needed because I am not sure that question is plainly asked and answered in the…
Read MoreSymbolism in Revelation
by Hugh DeLong As you are reading through Revelation, one of the things that should be abundantly evident is that the book is not about literal events. We see dragons with tails able to knock a third of the stars of heaven onto the earth (and yet the earth not only survives but is only…
Read MoreAn Inspired Prayer to Both the LORD and Jesus
by Doy Moyer
Read MoreThe Witness
by Jefferson David Tant We are all familiar with the role witnesses fill in our lives. If we have a document that needs some verification, we go to a Notary Public and sign it, and then the notary places a seal on it as proof that the notary has been a witness to my signature.…
Read MorePearls from Proverbs: Where There Is No Vision
by Irvin Himmel Guardian of Truth XXXI: 5, p. 134 March 5, 1987 “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Proverbs 29:18). The first part of this proverb is quoted frequently and pretty generally misapplied. Vision The “vision” under consideration is not an object of imaginative…
Read MorePearls from Proverbs: Glorying in Glory
by Irvin Himmel Guardian of Truth XXXI: 15, p. 456, August 6, 1987 “It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory” (Proverbs 25:27). A highly nutritious food, honey was often found in ancient times in trees, in holes in the ground, in crevices between…
Read MoreWhat Is Your Future?
by Jefferson David Tant There is something that I believe comes into the minds of every living being from time to time. And that “something” is “What is in the future for me — tomorrow, next week, next year, ten years?” Some seeking to know, go to fortune tellers who are good at guessing. Then…
Read MoreFaithfulness (Unknown)
Author Unknown A preacher was asked to define “faithful attendance at worship.” He replied that the best way to understand it was to apply the same standards of faithfulness that we do in other areas of our life. Consider the examples he gave: If your car started one out of three times, would you consider…
Read MoreAlways Grateful
by Doy Moyer How we think about God and our level of gratitude are connected. If we think about God respectfully and remember what He has done and continues to do, we will be grateful. How can we not be? Paul makes this connection in Romans 1:21-22. In a context where he is speaking about…
Read MoreRules for Preaching
by James Madison Mathes (1808-1892) The Christian Record, Vol. 3, 1845 Use the mother speech and tone, without affectation or imitation of any man, that you may not seem to act a comedy, instead of preaching a sermon. Clog not your memory too much, it will exceedingly hinder invention and mar delivery. Be sure you…
Read MoreJamaica Patois Wisdom – Effort
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 MoreWhat Is Tolerated Today Becomes Accepted Tomorrow
by Dick Millwee Many years ago I read a quote that I found to be true. This was the quote: “What is tolerated today becomes accepted tomorrow.” Whoever said that said a mouthful and hit the nail on the head. Let me give a couple of examples. In 1939 a movie was made that had…
Read MoreIs Sincerity All We Need?
by Jefferson David Tant A common expression I hear from time to time about religion is, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, so long as you are sincere.” Well, sincerity is not only good, but it is necessary in whatever activity in which we are engaged. This is fundamental in our family relationships, our business…
Read MoreWhen You Are Discouraged
by Jefferson David Tant Do you ever feel discouraged or disappointed? Welcome to the club! Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. There are countless numbers of people who can sympathize with you, as these feelings have impacted people on planet earth for multiple thousands of years. We are familiar with the…
Read MoreThe Problem of People
by Doy Moyer While many turn away from God due to some perceived problem with God (e.g., allowing evil to exist), I have found that just as prominent is a problem that they have with those who call themselves Christians. Because Christians have been hypocritical, unloving, divisive, and abusive, some have walked away thinking that…
Read MoreDo the Churches of Christ Suffer from Amnesia?
by Hugh Fulford In the October 2022 issue of the Christian Chronicle (identified as a subsidiary of Oklahoma Christian University), a book review is set forth under the headline, “New book explores where Churches of Christ fit” (p. 37). The name of the book reviewed is In the Great Stream: Imagining Churches of Christ in…
Read MoreSo, What’s a Good Sermon?
by Jefferson David Tant Out of all the thousands of sermons preachers have delivered and to which people have listened, how would we determine which sermons are good, which are bad, or which are so-so? I would suppose that even preachers evaluate themselves from time to time, and on occasion might conclude, “Well, I’ll never…
Read MoreHow Fundamental Is Faith to Christianity
by Afolabi Akinyemi (Nigeria) “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). No other Bible passage describes the importance of faith to Christianity than the one quoted above. The…
Read MoreNames Names Names (Ezra 2)
by Jarrod M. Jacobs Interspersed in the Bible are lists of names. Sometimes, these are genealogies of certain families (Genesis 5, 10, etc.). Often, these genealogies focus on Judah’s descendants leading to Christ (Ruth 4; Matthew 1; Luke 3). At other times, these names teach us about faith (Hebrews 11; Romans 16). There are also…
Read MoreCalling on the Name of the Lord (Thetford)
by Richard Thetford I am sure that our readers have heard people say words to the effect, “If you are not a Christian, all you need to do is call upon the name of the Lord, and you can be saved.” Some will tell you to say, “Lord be merciful to me a sinner,” or…
Read MoreImplications in the Sermon on the Mount
by Doy Moyer One way to see the sermon on the mount is through the lens of Matthew 5:20, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” Along these lines, I believe an important hermeneutical point can be seen right…
Read More