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Why Do Bad Things Happen?
by T. Sean Sullivan How often is your life visited with a bad day or bad news? How often do we suffer in this world? One specific area that I know visits every family at one time or another is sickness. Yes, ailments come and sometimes they bring an end to a loved one’s life.…
Read MoreHave Times Changed?
by Austin Hausner “For the Son of man came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). When we talk with people about Christianity or anything Bible-related we find there are many objections to Christianity. Some of these objections are fairly common. We want to be able to provide a counter-argument to one of the…
Read MoreA Bible and a Gun
by Bryan Matthew Dockens In his hit song “The Wanderer” Johnny Cash sang, “I went out walking with a Bible and a gun”. Regardless of Cash’s intent with these lyrics, it is an interesting image to ponder. These two objects – a copy of the sacred text and a lethal weapon – are seen by…
Read MoreIf Christ Built Only One, Where Did They All Come From?
by Jefferson David Tant At the beginning of the gospel age, there was but one church, and now, 2000 years later, according to some reports, there are over 1,200. How did this happen? People wonder where they all came from. Is this division and confusion what Christ intended? Let’s examine this situation to see just…
Read MoreAnswering the Sabbath Observance
by Jefferson David Tant Those who claim that the Sabbath (Saturday) is the day God has ordained from the beginning certainly believe that their claims are based on Scripture, and vigorously defend their belief and practice. But a careful examination of the Scriptures shows a problem with the arguments they make to support the practice…
Read MoreThe Death of Wonder
by Anthony J. Hamilton How often do you feel a sense of wonder? There is a Hebrew word, pâlâ’, with the following definition: Primitive root – to be marvelous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action. It is used in several different ways: for people being separated for service to God and…
Read MoreBaptism: Necessary for Salvation
by Allen Dvorak It is virtually undisputed truth that man is saved by divine grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). However, some have concluded from this fact that there is nothing that man can or must do for his salvation. It is frequently argued that “water baptism can’t possibly be necessary for salvation because it is…
Read MoreMiracles, Signs, and Wonders
by Jefferson David Tant Jesus’ last words to his disciples are known as “The Great Commission,” which is recorded in Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-18. Verses 17-20 in Mark’s record have been used by some denominations as proof that these miraculous manifestations are still in operation today. It is the purpose of this study to…
Read MoreOut of Context
by Andy Brenton II Opinions 4:13 Philippians 4:13 is one of the most well-known New Testament verses, but it’s also notoriously misused. After telling his audience that he’s experienced both poverty and affluence, the Apostle Paul writes these well-known words: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Many of us have seen…
Read MoreWhy Baptize Infants?
by Whit Sasser “Baptizing” infants is practiced in the Roman Catholic church and some of the Protestant denominations as well. But why would one need to subject a baby to such? They are not sinners. Sin cannot be inherited (Ezekiel 18:20). Sin is not passively received but a violation of God’s will (I John 3:4).…
Read MoreI Don’t Feel Forgiven
by Whit Sasser Everyone keeps telling you that you need to learn to forgive yourself; but the truth is, you need to learn to trust God. If God says you are forgiven, then you are forgiven. “But, I don’t feel like I am forgiven.” My friend, forgiveness is a promise of God, not a feeling of…
Read MoreDoes God Already Know Everything that Will Ever Happen?
by Ken Green A Reformed (Calvinist) scholar wrote: “The Scriptures clearly teach that long before we pray, God already knows everything and that He has already determined what He is going to do.” It’s true that God is omniscient and absolutely sovereign over all things. To think that we can give God new information or…
Read MoreChurch Closings
by Whit Sasser [Author’s Note: Recently, I was asked to speak at the closing of a congregation. Here are a few of my remarks, with much of the specifics omitted.] There are no 2000 years old congregations in existence. The Lord’s churches in Corinth, Ephesus, and Philippi eventually disbanded, folded, closed the doors. As to…
Read MoreBefore We Post or Share
by Doy Moyer Before we post or share something, let us ask: Does it show that we are striving to build up the people of God? (Ephesians 4:28) Will it help promote unity or will it cause unnecessary division? (I Corinthians 12:25) Does it show love for one another, love for enemies, and mostly love…
Read MoreWhose Body Is It?
by Jarrod M. Jacobs Those who favor abortions often argue something like this: “It is the woman’s body and she can choose to do with it what she pleases.” This is not a logical argument nor is it Biblically sound. Why do I say this? First, let us remember that when a woman is pregnant,…
Read MoreThe Lord’s Supper with a Twenty-Gallon Cup — How Long Did You Say that Would Take?
by Jeff Smelser I do not look down on congregations in which saints share one cup in partaking of the Lord’s Supper. When I have occasion to assemble with brethren whose practice is such, I happily share in the one cup. However, there are points to be made from Luke 22, Matthew 26, I Corinthians…
Read MoreInstitutionalism: A Virulent Cancer
by Harry W. Pickup, Jr. via The Gospel Guardian, 24 September 1964 Any error which touches either the nature of God or the nature of the Church is most fundamental and basic. Institutionalism is such an error because it touches the nature of the Church. The supposed conversion of Emperor Constantine, resulting in the “Christianizing” of…
Read MoreA Friendly Letter on Benevolence
by Irven Lee (1914-1991) April 1, 1958 A good friend that I have known and appreciated a long time sent a letter of inquiry which prompted this answer. Since so many are wondering about the same problems, I am making a few copies of the letter [that I wrote in response] with the hope…
Read MoreWill Bagels and Coffee Improve Our Worship?
by Ken Weliever “During our years of church planting, we tried to change people’s perceptions about what the Sunday worship would look like,” wrote Michelle Lazurek, in a recent Crosswalk.com article. “We took out pews and replaced them with pub tables and chairs, added lights and a stage and most importantly,” the award-winning author and…
Read MoreThe Sponsoring Church Arrangement: What Was the Issue?
by Bill Hall I can’t say enough about the encouragement it is to me to see your continued interest in this effort that we’re putting forth. Your willingness to come and study with us — it means so much to me. When this was planned, I thought we could educate those who come as…
Read MoreChurch-Supported Orphans’ Homes: What Was the Issue?
by Bill Hall It was a difficult time. I don’t know that I could in any way picture for you if you didn’t live then, just how difficult that time was. Back somewhere in the mid-50s, in the pages of the Gospel Advocate, a quarantine was called for against all those who preached the gospel…
Read MoreKitchens and Fellowship Halls: What Was the Issue?
by Bill Hall I don’t know how to thank you enough for the opportunity to come and deliver these lessons on these Sunday afternoons. It has been a very challenging experience for me, and I hope the lessons have been challenging for you. To see the number of people who have come each Sunday…
Read MoreScriptural Silence and the Burden of Proof
by Matthew W. Bassford In my life, I’ve had training in logic from two main sources: the church and my secular education. The further I progressed, the more I realized that the same principles were taught in both settings. I used the same canons of logic in formal debate and law school that I saw…
Read MoreThe Preacher Has a Problem
How Uncommitted, Unfaithful Christians Make Me Feel by Victor M. Eskew It has been a challenge since I first began preaching. It has been one of the difficulties that must be faced in every congregation wherein I have preached. It is not unique to me and my experiences. Every preacher has had to face this…
Read MoreBeulah Land
by Paul Springer What is Beulah land and should we sing about it? The word is used in Isaiah 62:4-5 (NKJV), “You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; nut you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord delights in you, and your…
Read MoreBaptism Is Not My Work
by Edwin Crozier Today’s reading is John 9. by James Tissot Just like Jesus commands those who would be spiritually healed to be baptized, washed in water (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; John 3:3-5; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:1-4; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; I Peter 3:21), Jesus commanded the blind man to go wash in the…
Read MoreHow We Know We Have All the Bible, with No Books Added and No Books Lost
by Willie Ramsey The Bible is God’s plan of salvation for mankind (John 17:17; 8:31-32; Mark 16:15-16; Romans 1:16). Its place in our lives is therefore eternally important. God warns us that no one is ever allowed to “add to” or to “take away” (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19), or in any way to “pervert” (i.e., “change” — Galatians 1:7-9), what…
Read MoreChurches of Christ Are Different
by Wayne S. Walker “… The churches of Christ greet you” (Romans 16:16). Non-denominational, New Testament churches of Christ are different from other religious organizations. Even the very terms by which they identify themselves are different. It is clear that congregations of Christ’s followers in the first century were known as “churches of Christ.” Thus,…
Read MoreFreedom
by Doy Moyer “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (I Peter 2:16). Photo by ellehem on Unsplash If we really wish to honor freedom, then we will seek to live as servants of God. We cannot expect that God will…
Read MorePrecept Upon Precept, Line Upon Line
by Jeffrey Wilkes “The Bible is so difficult to understand,” an acquaintance recently asked. “Why is it written this way?” The Holy Spirit through Peter acknowledges that some things in Paul’s letters are hard to understand: “As also in all his [Paul’s] epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard…
Read MoreOur Security in Christ
by Edward O. Bragwell In our Grace – Obedience – Fellowship discussions, we are often told that without those in Christ being continuously cleansed of sin (even as they sin) we can have no real sense of security in Him. It goes something like this: It must be that God forgives us as we sin…
Read MoreMiraculous Spiritual Gifts
by Matthew Bassford Many of you may well have had, as I have had, the experience of talking Bible with somebody who believes that the miraculous spiritual gifts of the first century continue today. Let me be honest with you, brethren. It is difficult to find success in studies with such people. Though it’s not obvious,…
Read MoreGiving to the Lord’s Work
by Matthew Bassford Of all of the spiritual topics that we might address, one of the most sensitive is giving. First of all, it’s about money, which always has been very important to people. Second, though, the Holy Spirit’s words on this subject have been misrepresented and abused for 2000 years. In 1 Timothy 6,…
Read MoreThe Problem with Happy-Face Christianity
by Matthew Bassford “Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, is he who sings songs to a troubled heart” (Proverbs 25:20). The other day, a friend of mine unburdened himself on Facebook about his struggles with depression. He talked about his confusion and fear and self-hatred.…
Read MoreAges to Come
by Terry Wane Benton Paul spoke of God showing the exceeding riches of His grace “in the ages to come” (Epheisans 2:6-7). Thus, the gospel of God’s grace would keep spreading for ages to come. Some erroneously think that Paul wrongly thought that Jesus would come back in his lifetime, but Paul knew the end…
Read MoreThe Kurkh Monoliths – The Stele of Shalmaneser III (Part 2)
by David Wheeler Black Kurkh Monolith Previously, I reported on one of a set of steles known collectively as the Kurkh Monoliths. The one which was our subject was the stele of Shalmaneser III. Shalmaneser III was the ruler of the Assyrian Empire from 859-824 BC. The Kurkh Monolith recorded his advancement to the Syrian…
Read MoreThe Kurkh Monoliths – Stele of Shalmaneser III
by David Wheeler Via Evidence in Archaeology To see a Biblical figure referenced in a stone inscription is a beautiful thing. It testifies that the book which we revere and study from is a trustworthy historical document and based in reality. Sometimes the secular inscriptions can reveal details of the Biblical figure’s life that aren’t…
Read MoreHow Should Christians Regard the Sabbath?
by Ken Weliever via The Preacher’s Word The fourth commandment simply says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:7). First of all, it’s important to remember the regulations, restrictions as well as the basis of the Sabbath. The text provides some insight. “Six days you shall labor and do all your work,…
Read MoreThese Are Our Times
by Doy Moyer Abusive. Heartless. Brutal. Slanderous. Reckless (read II Timothy 3:1-5). These are our times. These are times in which people will brutally kill a child in the womb, then slander and curse those who would oppose it. These are times in which people will be reckless in behavior, crude toward those who differ,…
Read MoreWrongfully My Enemies
by Terry Wane Benton Ever had people who seemed to hate you for no good reason? They made up their mind that they did not like you, but that was not enough. They worked behind your back to undermine you and sought to get rid of you or ruin you. David would say “welcome to…
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