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Shall We Know One Another in Heaven?
by Hoyt Houchen via Guardian of Truth XXXV: 20, pp. 623-624 October 17, 1991 Man is confronted with many mysteries, thus causing him to ponder on many questions. He is made to wonder about death, immortality, what is beyond and shall we know each other in heaven. The subject of future recognition in heaven that is discussed…
Read MorePreaching the Grace of God
by Terry W. Benton via Prove It by the Scriptures A brother made the following comment: “Grace is one subject one hears very little about in conservative Churches of Christ except it be prefaced by a stern warning of what grace is not.” I wonder if that statement has been true of my preaching. I personally…
Read MorePeer Pressure (Waldron)
by Bob Waldron via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, February 24, 2008 Much of God’s covenant with Israel of old dealt with human relations. Various and sundry laws pointed out how the Jew was to conduct himself among his peers. One of these admonitions was, “Thou shalt not follow a…
Read MorePeace with God
by David Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 48, Nov. 28, 2008. Do you ever feel that God is mad at you? You know, those times you have messed up and don’t think God could love someone like you? Do you ever have moments of doubting that you are a real Christian, that you have…
Read MorePaul’s Sons
by Earl Robertson via Biblical Insights, Vol. 8, No. 6, June 2008. The relationship of Timothy and Titus to Paul as sons is spiritual, legitimate, and true — “legitimately born, not spurious,” says Thayer, pg. 119. They were true sons. Paul said Timothy was “a true child in the faith,” showing the sphere in which this…
Read MorePaul, Barnabas, and Us!
by Greg Gwin We received an email communication from a man named Joe. He is a member of the First Christian Church. He has been using the Internet to search for “people of like-minded faith.” In his letter, Joe explains what he sees as the necessary conditions before he can call someone his “brother.” “If…
Read MoreDoes God Answer Every Prayer?
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes; Vol. 56, No. 3; Jan. 19, 2007. Question: “I believe that when we pray for something, in faith, God will give it to us. If we are sick, we can pray and God will heal us. He is able to do all things. So, the question is: ‘Does God…
Read MoreUnanswered Prayers
by Lewis Willis via Guardian of Truth; April 4, 1991; Vol. XXXV, No. 7; pp. 193, 215 Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash When I think of prayer, I think of it as the very essence of the Christian’s relationship with God. It is our link of communication with him, as the New Testament is his…
Read MoreRoman Catholic Quotes Regarding the Bible
The Bible Alone was Used in the Early Church There was far more extensive and continuous use of Scriptures in the public service of the early Church than there is among us. [Addis and Arnold, Catholic Dictionary, The Catholic Publication Society, 1887, page 509] Our present convenient compendiums — the Missal, Breviary, and so on were…
Read MorePreaching Like Jeremiah
by Jerry Fite via Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 3, pp. 70-71, February 6, 1992 Jeremiah began his prophetic work in the thirteenth year of Josiah’s reign. As a youthful Josiah wielded kingly force to tear down idols, young Jeremiah applied moral persuasion to eliminate the idolatrous heart. Despite forty years of exposure to Jeremiah’s preaching, Judah’s…
Read MoreWhat Makes the Church of Christ Different?
by Billy Moore Question: “You say the Church of Christ is not a Protestant denomination, but I know you protest the Catholic religion for I have read a lot of your writings, so what makes you different from the other churches. You look like one of many churches to me.” Answer: Yes, we have said…
Read MorePatience in Seeking Truth, a Necessity
by Garreth L. Clair John 8:32, “and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ASV John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.” ASV II Timothy 3:16-17, “Every scripture inspired of God (is) also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the…
Read MoreChoosing a Companion
by Bill Hall A happy home is being with a wise choice of a marriage partner. We, therefore, submit the following questions as a guide for our young people as they seek out their companion for life. 1. Is this person eligible for marriage? There are those who have a right to marry according to the laws…
Read MoreOnly Human?
by Frank Bush A year or so ago, I had a student in my office. He was there because his behavior was much less than what I expected of a Bible college student. After discussing the matter, he crowned his long recitation with the excuse, “After all, I’m only human.” When he said that, I…
Read MoreWhy I Am Not a Nazarene
by J. R. Bronger In June of 1972 my wife, Sue, and I were baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38). Like many of our brothers and sisters in Christ, we came out of religious error. Our involvement was with the Church of the Nazarene, headquartered in Kansas City. I was…
Read MoreObscene Movies and TV Programs
by Gary Henry via, Lost River Bulletin, Vol. 58, No. 3, Aug. 2008. Few things frighten me any more than the passing comments I hear brothers and sisters in the Lord make about movies and TV programs they’ve permitted themselves and their children to see. Just when I believe there may be a deepening spirituality…
Read MoreThe Next Generation
by Steve Klein via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, December 3, 2006 As Solomon looked at life under the sun, he observed that “One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever” (Ecclesiastes 1:4). With the passing of each generation, knowledge, values, and even faith are…
Read MoreChristians Without Churches?
by Ethan R. Longhenry Over the past few years, a trend has increased among people, especially Americans: the idea that people can be good Christians without being part of a church. Many people will recognize that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord, but yet want nothing to do with any church. This attitude fits with…
Read MoreNew Churches
by Gilbert Alexander The number of new churches started by men and based upon a human standard has grown rapidly over the past century in this country. Their creation and continued existence reflect the unbelief and arrogant self-will of their builders, and the gullibility of those who have joined them. Apparently, the church of Jesus…
Read MoreThe Necessity of Fidelity in Marriage
by Don Alexander via Truth Magazine, Vol. 52, No. 9, September 2008. Behaviors reflect one’s values and priorities. Our most important live relationships suffer when our behaviors and words do not arise from a sense of fidelity and trustworthiness. The Psalmist cried out, “Help, Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from…
Read MoreThe Myth
by Shane Williams via The Lilbourn Light, Vol. 9, Nos. 4,5, Aug/Sept. 2008. Once we decide to obey God completely, it’s easy to assume that the rest of our life will run smoothly. If it does, we think this proves that we’re doing God’s Will. If we run into obstacles, however, we’re quick to conclude…
Read MoreMormons Are Not to Listen to Critical Reviews
by Terry W. Benton It is part of the program in Mormonism to believe that all negative statements opposing Mormonism be immediately dismissed as something from the devil. This brainwashing tactic is common. Keep telling the student to never listen to anything else and you have controlled the student. Consider the following: As a Mormon:…
Read MoreMaturity and Marriage
by Bill Walton When we talk about “maturity” there are different ways in which people can be mature and different ways in which they can be immature. It is possible for a physical giant to be an emotional dwarf. It is possible for a grown man to be as immature as a 13-year-old boy. It…
Read MoreMary Magdalene Much Maligned
by Bryan Matthew Dockens Relying on the scriptures exclusively, one can correctly conclude that Mary Magdalene was an upstanding and outstanding woman of faith. Seven demons were cast out of her, and she became a benefactress of the Lord during His ministry, contributing to His livelihood from her personal means while accompanying Him and His…
Read MoreThe Problem of Private Lust
by Connie Adams Lust has gone public in America. No subject is too delicate for a television or movie script. Pornography is big business. Absolutely nothing is left to the imagination. Yet, this business would utterly fail were it not for the fact that it feeds the private yearnings of corrupted hearts. It is from…
Read MoreWhy Be a Christian?
by David Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 58, No. 3, Jan. 16, 2009. We have to admit that there are a lot of religions in the world today. We hear a lot more about Islam than we ever have before. We see people seeking new-age solutions to their spiritual needs. We see many people simply…
Read MoreAre You a Christian?
by Allen Dvorak via Gospel Power, Vol. 15, No. 40, Oct. 5, 2008. The word “Christian” is sometimes used rather freely and without regard to its New Testament usage. Some folks apply the term to practically anyone who has any connection to some religious group or embraces certain moral principles. Others use the word to…
Read MorePastors and Preachers
by James R. Cope via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 3, Jan. 1952. The word “pastors” occurs only one time in our English version of the New Testament. More often the original is rendered “shepherd” or “shepherds.” By implication, the pastoral work is identified with the office of bishops or elders. Since this office is…
Read MoreDo the Fittest Survive?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton A tenant of evolution is that creatures improve by the principle of the survival of the fittest. Creatures best able to survive and adapt to an environment live to produce offspring while the less fit tend to die off. Hence, as mutations occur, the belief is that the changes which enhance…
Read MoreDisappointment
by J. D. Williams We are all familiar with the story of Job. The loss of all his material wealth not only affected him but his wife as well. Notice the question she asked him, “dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? Renounce God, and die” (Job 2:9). What prompted her to respond this way?…
Read MoreThere’s More to It Than That
by Dee Bowman via Gospel Power, Vol. 15, No. 13, Mar. 30, 2008. It’s interesting to me how an illustration can sometimes become so powerful that it supplants the thing it is illustrating. For instance, the illustration for salvation is many times cited by the use of a man’s five fingers. Here, believe, repent, confess,…
Read MoreVengeance
by Keith Sharp via Truth Magazine XXIII: 34, pp. 554-556, August 31, 1979 “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other…
Read MoreThe Bible Does Not Teach Praying to Dead Animals
by Bob Lovelace Various kinds of religions offer congregants and those at large opportunities to participate in “a blessing of animals” ceremony. This often comes in October in celebration of the so-called “saint” of Catholicism – St. Francis of Assisi. Myth has it that he preached to the birds rather than to man as Christ…
Read MoreDid Alexander Campbell Establish the Church of Christ?
by Bill J. Humble via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 8, June 1952. Alexander Campbell A Preceptor reader from Texas has submitted a list of questions that request a statement of what Alexander Campbell actually did. Since members of the church are often asked such questions as “The church of Christ began with Alexander Campbell,…
Read MoreJames 1:27 and the Orphan Home
by Jimmy Mickells When I obeyed the gospel in 1974, the issue of church-supported orphan homes had been debated among brethren for a good number of years. This subject, along with a discussion of colleges being supported from the treasury of the church, had already caused a great division among the Lord’s people. It was…
Read MoreHow It Works
by David Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 36, Sept. 5, 2008. Churches today are looking for ways to reach out to the communities in which they serve. Some look to the latest book, or the most recent demographics, the best mail lists and so on. I think sometimes we so over-complicate church work…
Read MoreScience’s Rejection of Evolution
by Dennis Marks To say that evolution is the easiest thing to prove is a statement beyond reason and a product of blind faith. Many will say that “all major scientists support evolution.” The fact is there are many scientists who believe in the biblical account. Here is just a small sample: Joseph Lister, antiseptic surgery;…
Read MoreIs It Wrong to Have Romantic Feelings?
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 58, No. 40, Oct. 2, 2009 “And Jehovah God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make for him a help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18). God intended that man should have a mate, a woman, and that that woman should have a…
Read MoreMaking Bible Reading a Priority
by Abraham Smith In earlier articles, we studied scriptures which show us that we are obligated to read the Bible regularly. This includes the idea of reading the whole Bible. After all, Jesus said, “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God…” (Matt. 4:4). Those who truly…
Read MoreThe Benefits of Reading the Bible from Cover to Cover
by Abraham Smith In an earlier article, “Reading the Bible from Cover to Cover,” we considered several factors that hinder us from reading the Bible in its entirety. Let us now examine the benefits we get from routinely reading all of the Bible. The road to understanding the Bible The Bible is written in such a…
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