Article
Maintain Good Conduct
by Kent Heaton It would be hard to imagine how difficult it was for the early Christians to live under the rule of Nero, emperor of Rome. Peter’s first epistle is considered to be written during the reign of one of the world’s most corrupt and vicious rulers. It would seem from his writing; Peter…
Read MoreLove Never Ends
by Sam Stinson “I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.” (Song Of Solomon 2:7, ESV) Love is essential for Christ’s disciples. Love is a desire we awaken so that the abilities we practice and the…
Read MoreLiving With Hideous Monsters
by Ben May A man visited a psychiatrist to talk about his dreams. “Every night,” the man said, “I dream that these three hideous monsters are sitting on the edge of my bed, ready to attack me.” “Hmmm,” said the doctor. “I feel sure I can cure you of this problem. But the treatment will…
Read MoreThe Last Fight
by Robert F. Turner via Plain Talk, January 1971 On the ruins of a theater in Ephesus, there is a memorial to an athlete of the 2nd century A.D. which reads: “He fought three fights, and twice was crowned.” Watch out for that last step! You see, those “athletes” fought to the death. A man’s…
Read MoreWelcome to Church … Kids Not Invited
by Mike Thomas I was so distracted once at a church service (away from here), by an overwhelming amount of noise from the audience, that I had a hard time concentrating on the lesson. I tried focusing my attention on the speaker, but the person behind me and a few others across the aisle were…
Read MoreJoseph Smith or Jesus Christ?
by Gilbert Alexander God has spoken to us in these last days by His Son, whose name is Jesus or Immanuel (Matthew 1:21,23; Hebrews 1:1-4). His message is the New Testament, the gospel of Christ, the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Hebrews 8:6; Mark 16:15-16; Romans 10:16; Jude 3). Do you firmly…
Read MoreIt Just Slipped Out … Of What?
by Bryan Matthew Dockens When excusing themselves for uttering profanities or curses, the kind of words which should never escape our mouths (Ephesians 4:29), many will say, “I’m sorry; it just slipped out”. But what did those corrupt words slip out of, exactly? Jesus explained, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth…
Read MoreIt Can Change So Fast
by Matthew Allen The wealth and materialistic excess of God’s people eight centuries before Jesus were almost unparalleled. The level of prosperity almost certainly equaled that of the days of David and Solomon. Amos gives us a vivid detail of life during the reigns of Jeroboam II of Israel and Uzziah of Judah, shedding light…
Read MoreIs It Right to Criticize Another Person’s Religion?
by Kevin Kay It’s not only right to criticize false religion, no matter whose religion it is; it’s the faithful Christian’s responsibility. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:7-9). Paul criticized those who tried to bind the shadows of the Mosaic law on New Testament Christians (Colossians 2:16-23).…
Read MoreIs Homosexuality Just Another Way of Life?
by Guyton E. Montgomery Homosexuality is a problem that is plaguing the nation. Television, movies, magazines, and music are bringing this abomination into our homes. Children are being taught that this is just another choice and that there is nothing wrong with it. Something must be done! The problem is: if a person even suggests…
Read MoreThe Innocence of Jesus
by Bill Cavendar via Guardian of Truth XXIX: 3, p. 67, February 7, 1985 The Bible records six different trials that Jesus endured after He was seized in the Garden of Gethsemane. There were three Jewish trials: Before Annas (John 18:13,24); Before Caiaphas, aided by a group of priests and the Sanhedrin (Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; John 18:14-28); Before…
Read MoreDress Codes (Article)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton by Elissa Eikelboom Why do we pull out our best clothing each Sunday in preparation for attending services? Many of us have our “Sunday Best” – those outfits reserved for Sundays and other special occasions. The thought of attending services in anything but our best clothing is so repulsive that many…
Read MoreThe Importance of Listening
by T. Sean Sullivan How significant is listening? Listening is the fullness of hearing. It is possible to hear someone talk and not listen. In order to hear and listen, one must be paying attention. My wife becomes very annoyed with me when she speaks and I do not listen. Perhaps I am distracted by…
Read MoreHis Name Was Jake
by Jack Wise Jake’s parents were normal compared to other parents. They both worked. They had two other children, girls, whom they cared for. Shelter and food and everyday child maintenance were provided. His parents were on and off “church” goers of a local denomination. Even though they lacked total dedication, they were loving caring…
Read MoreSober-Minded in Every Sense of the Term
by David Diestelkamp via Think on These Things Researchers at the University of California San Diego reviewed 14 years of accident data and found that “A blood alcohol concentration of just 0.01 percent was associated with risky behaviors such as speeding.” Lead researcher, David P. Phillips, Ph.D. says, “For a 180-pound person, that translates to one glass…
Read MoreThe Hardships of Preaching
by Jefferson David Tant The following is an excerpt from the story of my grandfather, J. D. Tant, written by Yeater Tant. I was rereading this portion this morning and thought of the hardships he endured, and how comfortable so many of us are. Would we have such faith? And would we be willing to…
Read MoreDemonology
by Jerry C. Ray Truth Magazine VI: 6, pp. 19-21, March 1962 Truth Magazine VI: 7, pp. 9-11, April 1962 Truth Magazine VI: 8, pp. 6-7, May 1962 Truth Magazine VI: 9 & 10, pp. 9-10, June & July 1962 Due to the limited information in the Bible on the subject of demonology, and in…
Read MoreThe Dead in Christ Shall Rise First
by Ron Daly via Guardian of Truth XLI: 4 p. 10-11, February 20, 1997 Paul wrote in his first letter to the Thessalonians, that when the Lord descends from heaven, “the dead in Christ will rise first” (I Thessalonians 4:16). Apparently, Paul had reason to be concerned that some of the Christians in Thessalonica were uninformed…
Read MoreCome Ye Out from Among Them
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 58, No. 27, July 3, 2009. The October 2002 issue of “The Legal Alert” from the Christian Law Association lists nine cases in this country of Christians being opposed or restricted in one way or another in the practice of their faith. I’m sure that the number has risen…
Read MoreThe Christian’s Sabbath
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton based on an ad by Floyd Chappelear Some people teach that the Ten Commandments are a set of permanent laws established by God at the creation of the world. They believe that Christians are still supposed to be in obedience to these laws, including the law of observing the Sabbath on…
Read MoreChanging the Label Makes Sin More Dangerous
Author Unknown One of America’s great needs is to recognize sin for what it is. We are too prone to explain it away, or to soften its horrors. Wilbur Chapman tells of a distinguished minister who preached on sin, and one of the leading members came to talk to him in his study. He said…
Read MoreBut He Never Enlisted!
by Sewell Hall He served in the army but … “he wasn’t a soldier.” We believe there is a lesson in the following Associated Press report: “An Army spokesman said Friday that 15 year old Walter Lee Martin is not recognized as a soldier — despite two periods of serving in Vietnam, because he did…
Read MoreBabylon Clay Tablet Confirms Jeremiah
by Ben M. Shropshire via Lifeline, 7/15/00 The recent discovery of a cuneiform clay tablet by an Austrian scholar at the site of ancient Babylon confirms the historical accuracy of the book of Jeremiah. The recently deciphered tablet, which dates from 595 BC, refers to an official in the court of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon,…
Read More21 Reasons Why You Should be Scripturally Baptized
by Kenneth E. Thomas Because God commands it. (Acts 10:48) To fulfill all righteousness. (Matthew 3:15) To be a friend of Christ. (John 15:14) Because you love God. (I John 5:3; John 14:15) Lest you reject the counsel of God against yourself. (Luke 7:30) To complete the “new birth.” (John 3:3-5; Titus 3:5) To enter…
Read MoreHonor Your Father and Mother (Hamilton)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The command to honor your parents was carried over into the law of Christ intact. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on…
Read More666 and the Mark of the Beast
by Jerry Falk Do microchips and bar codes have anything to do with “the mark of the beast” (Revelation 16:2; 19:20)? Before answering this question, we would do well to remember that the word of God is “handled” a lot in the world. However, it’s not good enough to just handle it; we need to…
Read MoreThe Use of Alcohol
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Can a Christian drink? It is a question that comes up frequently. Earlier this century, the United States ended the sale of alcoholic beverages because of the perceived dangers of these drinks. The prohibition did not last, due to strong demand for access to liquor. However, the question remains: “Can a…
Read MoreYou Can’t Tell Me How to Dress!
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton He came to services sporting a mohawk haircut spiked tall with hair gel. Each ear was pierced several times: small nut-like objects filled the larger holes in each ear. One eyebrow was pierced. His lip was pierced and when idle the boy toyed with the ring occupying the hole. His tongue…
Read MoreModest Apparel
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “Therefore I desire that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness,…
Read MoreNew Testament Beverages
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton One of the greatest difficulties in studying God’s stance on drinking is the bias translators have brought to the meaning of words used in the Bible in regards to drinking. The most common Greek word, which is translated “wine” is oinos which is directly equivalent to the Hebrew word yayin. (See “Old Testament…
Read MoreOld Testament Beverages
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Throughout the Bible, drunkenness is consistently condemned. We understand that a drunkard cannot inherit the kingdom of God (I Corinthians 6:9-10). Paul warned that carousing and drunkenness are improper behaviors for Christians to engage in (Romans 13:13). The warnings are clear enough that few people argue that being down-and-out drunk is…
Read MoreBoredom (Hamilton)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The child has a room full of action figures, video games, cable TV, DVD player, a huge collection of movies, every piece of sports equipment known to man, his own telephone, a fully loaded computer with high-speed Internet access … but he doesn’t have a thing to do. He’s bored. Boredom…
Read MoreThe Nature of Law (Article)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In our fantasies, it is sometimes appealing to wonder what it would be like to live in a place without any laws, where a person is free to do whatever he pleases. Laws can be irritating at times; do this, don’t do that, and, of course, we never get them right.…
Read MoreImages of Head Covering During Worship
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton A frequent claim is that I Corinthians 11:1-16 only deals with the local customs of the people in the area of Corinth. The wearing of a head covering, we are told, was a common practice in those days and in that region. Hence, Paul was merely telling women not to go against social…
Read MoreHair
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering” (I Corinthians 11:14-15). Have you stopped and wonder…
Read MoreThe Message of I Corinthians 11
by Ethan R. Longhenry I would like to examine a passage that has caused many divisions and great strife in many churches of Christ. Many have simply disregarded this passage and do not wish to find any way in which to apply it to their own lives because of the controversy that it generates. We…
Read MoreWhat Is Hell Like? (Article)
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton When Jesus taught with parables, each story is based on true events: people do purchase fields, widows do lose coins, and fishermen do catch a variety of things in their nets. In one story, Jesus tells of a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. The story is not presented…
Read MoreWhy I am a Member of the Church of Christ
by Irvin Himmel via The Voice of West End, Vol. 5, No. 23, Feb. 16, 1964. People have offered a variety of reasons for their religious connections. I am here to present my reasons for being a member of the church of Christ; but, first, some negative thoughts: Not because of wealth The Roman Catholic Church…
Read MoreWhy Believe in the God of the Bible?
Billy B. Norris via Gospel Guide, Nov. 1995 One may be a believer in the One God; an atheist, a disbeliever in any god; or a heathen, a believer in many gods. Let’s examine each of these positions: Heathenism In its plural number of gods, heathenism is confusing and divisive. As a young man, Solomon…
Read MoreWho Does God Think He Is?
by Floyd Chappalear modified by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Worship isn’t enough. The Bible says that voluntary humility, severity to the body, acts of contrition, and such like may be nothing more than evidence of “will worship;” that is, serving one’s own interests (see Colossians 2:18-23). Furthermore, Jesus said that “not everyone who says unto me…
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