Posts Tagged ‘authority’
What Saith the Authorities
by Hiram Hutto “Once, while two Christians were discussing a Bible subject, one of them asked, “What do the authorities say about it?” No doubt he had lexicons, Bible dictionaries, and historical and geographic works in mind. Yet I feel that sometimes (though not with the one who raised the question) there is the all-too-prevalent…
Read MoreJust Take Your Punishment
by Keith Sharp About forty years ago, I knew a young preacher with a cavalier attitude toward traffic laws. He was known to drive down the highway at breakneck speed, with a Twinkie and a Mountain Dew for breakfast, steering the car with his knees! Sandy and I would not let our children ride with…
Read MoreThe New Catholicism
by Kenny Chumbley via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 22 No. 3, September 1996 In The Torch of the Testimony, John W. Kennedy offers a revealing critique of the apostasy that swept through churches like prairie fire in the second and third centuries AD. “As early as New Testament times, the life of the churches was disturbed by…
Read MorePaul and Headship
by Hugh DeLong As you read I Corinthians 11, stop and meditate on this distinction. Many people in our country today dislike the concept of headship and may even use I Corinthians 11:11-12 to deny the rest of this section, but the truth can be built on the fact that Christ is the head of…
Read MoreDoes Acts 2:42 show that only Christians may partake of the Lord’s Supper?
Question: In the discussion “Should congregations practice closed communion?” you say that “No passage indicates that the Lord’s Supper must only be offered to Christians. It only has meaning for Christians, but we don’t add rules God didn’t give. If a non-Christian wishes to partake of the Lord’s Supper, it doesn’t change his status before…
Read MoreWas the man casting out demons doing so by Christ’s authority?
Question: Hi, In Luke 9:49–50, did the man who was casting out demons actually have the power to do so? The apostles couldn’t cast out a demon in Luke 9:40, so how was this man able to cast them out? Was he doing it by Christ’s authority, even though he was not one of the…
Read MoreDoes the Roman Catholic Church decide on matters not directly mentioned in the Bible?
Question: I watched a debate about sola scriptura, and a Catholic apologist made the following argument against it. He said the Bible doesn’t specifically address some things. One thing he pointed out was prepubescent marriage and cousin marriage. His question was: if the bible is the sole source of faith and doctrine, where does the…
Read MoreHave You Not Read
by Hugh DeLong Matthew 19 is an important chapter concerning the biblical teaching on divorce and remarriage. However, underlying that whole issue is the issue of the Bible: its reliability and its authority. The Pharisees came to test Jesus by asking a question concerning what God allows/approves of. Where would Jesus go to find such…
Read MoreAre Christians Under the Old Testament?
by Jeff Wilson via InLight Media Has the Old Testament been done away with? Or does it actually still apply to modern-day Christians? If you’ve ever wondered how Christians should read the Old Testament today, this biblical discussion will challenge assumptions, strengthen your faith, and help you see God’s redemptive story with fresh eyes. Watch…
Read MoreJesus Gave Them Authority
by Hugh DeLong “Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness” (Matthew 10:1). “These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: ‘Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any…
Read MoreEasier to Say
by Hugh DeLong Jesus asked a simple question: “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’?”(Matthew 9:5). Of course, the answer is that it is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’, for how does one prove or disprove that such took place? However, if one says…
Read MoreAre church owned schools and hospitals good works?
Question: Good day, minister. In a Bible study, we were talking about Christianity and good works. The teacher emphasized that good works do not leave out the church building, schools, and hospitals. I’ve heard a contrasting teaching elsewhere. But the way the teacher put it just offers a new perspective. He mentions that the church…
Read MoreThe Scriptures
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/The-Scriptures.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 24:33-49 I. How do you look at the Bible? A. I’ve talked to people with wide opinions concerning the things written 1. One person seems to take great pleasure in locating and pointing every apparent inconsistency he can find in God’s Word. a. It is obvious to all that…
Read MoreThe Wondrous Book of God
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/The-Wondrous-Book-of-God.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 119:17-24 I. Eulogy of the Bible Many years ago, I entered the wonderful temple of God’s revelation. I entered the portico of Genesis and walked down through the Old Testament Art Gallery where the pictures of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, and…
Read MoreGuard What Was Entrusted
by Terry Wane Benton Paul was passionate about defending the original apostolic teaching that was given by the Holy Spirit. He wept about men corrupting that original teaching and passionately appealed to the elders at Ephesus to be on guard for themselves and that of others who would creep into the flock (Acts 20:28f). Paul’s…
Read MoreIf the Bible Isn’t Your Standard… What Is?
by Steve Wolfgang via InLight Media For centuries, the sola scriptura debate has raged on (most notably between Catholics and Protestants) over this primary question: is scripture sufficient as our only final, authoritative standard, or do we need some sort of council or magisterium to help interpret and apply it? Why should we listen to…
Read MoreBy Bread Alone
by Hugh DeLong We all have our favorite scriptures and concepts that we ‘religiously’ follow. We also all have some aspects of Jesus’ teaching that, because of our dispositions and/or situations, we ignore or set aside. In such situations, most of us ‘justify’ our actions. Read this first temptation again as Luke records it! Jesus…
Read MoreIs it contradictory for the Bible to say “Do not add” and yet books were added to the Bible?
Question: This is a question I’m asking to help one of our members; could you help me answer it? Based on the Bible canon and Revelation 22:1, which states not to add to this book, but also Deuteronomy 4:2, which says the same thing. It feels a bit contradictory at times. I guess then it…
Read MoreDo All in the Name of the Lord
by Terry Wane Benton “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through…
Read MoreGod’s Authority Is Beautiful
by Doy Moyer via InLight Media Authority in Scripture is more than rules — it’s part of the beautiful tapestry of who God is. Some bristle at the idea of meticulously following what scripture says, demonstrates, and implies, perhaps because they feel that such a practice is legalistic and out of line with the true…
Read MoreIs God in Control?
by Doy Moyer We often hear that “God is in control” when things in this world aren’t going well. With all the violence and evil, we wonder, how can God be in control? Are we saying that God makes bad people do bad things? Are we saying that God creates the violence and evil? It…
Read MoreIs the Jefferson Bible enough?
Question: I recently conversed with someone who is living in a sinful lifestyle, but who I believe is starting to question her life choices. She is in her 70s now and has cancer. She mentioned that she is reading the “Jefferson bible” and wondered if that is “enough.” She asked me to research it since…
Read MoreThe Words of Jesus (Hamilton)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Words-of-Jesus.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: John 12:44-50 I. I continue to be amazed at the lengths people will go to justify a belief. A. Perhaps you have heard the story of Martin Luther’s decision that James 2 did not belong in the sacred text because of one small phrase in James 2:24. 1. It…
Read MoreHow do you know you are in the right church?
Question: Hello there, I am getting on here as I have many questions about God, the church, salvation, and the Bible. I was baptized into Christ just over a year ago, and while I understand that Jesus built one church and when I was baptized the Lord added me to that church, the state of…
Read MoreBeware the Hands of Esau
by William V. Beasley via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 3, September 1993 Rebekah and Jacob conspired to deceive Isaac and, thereby, to obtain the blessing intended for Esau (Genesis 27:1-29). God has never tried to whitewash the character of those who serve Him; He presents the bad along with the good. Both Rebekah and Jacob…
Read MoreBlack Becomes White
by Michael Davis via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 2, June 1993 From time to time, we may express our disapproval of those whose practices or demeanor are different from our own. For example, we may voice (or at least demonstrate) our objections to the conduct of some, or toward their attire, or at times even…
Read MoreChurch Autonomy
by Steve Dewhirst via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 19 No. 2, June 1993 The word autonomy is not a Bible term, but it is certainly a Bible principle. It means independent or self-governing. Universally, the church is under the headship of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:22-23); we are His body and must take directions according to His testament.…
Read MoreCan a Biblical Worldview Work in Modern Times?
by Doy Moyer via InLight Media Criticisms of the traditional biblical worldview seem to be multiplying and intensifying these days. For New Testament Christians, this begs the question: are we crazy? Are we holding onto something that is simply untenable and unworkable in our modern society? Doy Moyer discusses this question with Andy Diestelkamp. He…
Read MoreYou Can’t Tell Me What to Do!
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/You-Cant-Tell-Me-What-to-Do.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Download Audio Text: Colossians 1:3-12 I. It is generally the cry of the unhappy A. “You can’t tell me what to do!” B. I don’t recall ever hearing this in response to something agreed upon. It always comes with a disagreement. II. “I have the right to live my life as I see…
Read MoreIs Truth Essential?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Is-Truth-Essential.mp3 by Raymond Warfel Download Audio
Read MoreLoose Cannons
by Kevin Cauley Reading the news today, I came across an article about one of the presidential candidates, in which one of his former military commanders said he was a “loose cannon.” Just the other day, one of our members was telling me about a man who claimed to be a “loose cannon” religiously; we…
Read MoreDo You Believe in Baptizing in the Trinity?
by Terry Wane Benton Just before Jesus went back to heaven, He told His disciples to go “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). What that means is that we baptize people with the full authority of the…
Read MoreSomething Missing in Our Culture
by David V. Hurst via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 18 No. 3, September 1992 None can deny the drastic shift in our culture’s attitude toward God over the last thirty years. This often causes special problems for the Christian and his children. How do we instill in our children and others genuine values concerning God? Our…
Read MoreThe Issue of Authority
by Randy Robinson John Mellencamp lamented in song over twenty years ago, “I fight authority; authority always wins.” Indeed, authority is a powerful force with which to be reckoned. In the case of this songster, his perspective is easily noted as one who is rebellious against authority, as indicated by his lyrics, “I’ve been doin’…
Read MoreRemoving Ancient Landmarks
by Terry Wane Benton “Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set” (Proverbs 22:28 NKJV). “Bring in no new dogmas, nor rites, nor ceremonies, into religion, or the worship of God, that are not clearly laid down in the sacred writings. ‘Stand in the way; and see, and ask for the old…
Read MoreBy What Authority? (Matthews)
by Samuel Matthews “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave…
Read MoreThe Temptations of Jesus
The Temptations of Jesus: Changing Stones into BreadThe Temptations of Jesus (Part 2)The Temptations of Jesus (3) The Pinnacle of the Temple by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 4:1-13 I. We all face temptations – I Corinthians 10:13 A. But Satan’s power to tempt is limited. He only has so many tricks to use. B. Consider the…
Read MoreAre There Gray Areas?
by Floyd Chappelear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 17 No. 4, 31 December 1991 Searching the Scriptures is a quality gospel journal with consistently thought-provoking and edifying articles. The issue for November 1991 is no different. Among the headings was “Musings” by J. Wiley Adams (p. 9), which will certainly stand on its own merits. In fact,…
Read MoreThe Apostles and the Will of Christ
by Jon W. Quinn Somebody once came up with a good idea that has proven helpful to me. Someone decided to print a series of Bibles that would use red ink to record the words of Jesus. Since that time, many others have followed, and now it is common. It is helpful to me when…
Read MoreThe Silence of the Scriptures
by Trent Sherwin If we were to take a trip to our favorite drive-through fast-food restaurant and order a #1 with cheese, fries, and a Coke, and then, when we pulled up to the pay window, discovered the total was $43.59, would we have a problem with that? The obvious answer is, “Yes, of course!”…
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