Posts Tagged ‘authority’
What is the difference between principle and standard and how does this apply to modesty?
Question: Could you explain the following for me, please? Basically, I would like for you to tell me what the difference between a “principle” and a “standard” is and give me your take on a sermon. The preacher is basically saying that Christians can’t use the Old Testament to bind standards of clothing on Christians today. I sharply…
Read MoreWhat evidence is there that the Catholic church is not the one true church?
Question: I am a Catholic. What evidence is there from the Scriptures that the Catholic Church is not the one true Church to which all Christians belong? Answer: Since the Roman Catholic church is a large organization, your question is a broad one. What needs to be done is to compare current Catholic teachings and…
Read MoreShould I stay with a congregation that pays its song leader?
Question: I attend a small church of Christ. We have no elders or deacons. We pay a man to lead singing, which obviously is wrong. What should I do? Will this cause him to lose his salvation? Will I lose mine if I continue to worship there? He is the only one among the men capable of leading singing. Answer: The…
Read MoreFollowing Bible Examples
by Earle H. West via The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 9, July 1952. Much of what we know today of the New Testament order comes by way of examples pictured for us in the Bible. Whenever people have earnestly sought to duplicate New Testament Christianity in the current age, they have strongly and rightly emphasized the…
Read MoreJesus was a vegetarian because the Bible was compiled by a bunch of meat-eaters
Question: I have read your article on your website regarding Jesus being a vegetarian. It seems that you are no different than the people who compiled the Bible way back to 400 AD. There is a lot of gospel regarding Jesus taught vegetarianism was removed because the early compilers of the Bible are meat-eaters. And the…
Read MoreIf something is used to praise God, then it can’t be wrong, can it?
Question: In God’s worship, should everyone be in one accord, like everybody doing the same thing? I ask because I know there shouldn’t be musical instruments in the church. I play the piano and people have told me that I was wrong because I didn’t play in a church — something about me not using…
Read MoreIs it wrong to make a decision about what is right or wrong based on what you think a cartoon character would do?
Question: Is it sinful to base your life on a cartoon? Let’s say you’re being tempted, but to help you get past your temptation you think about what a hero on a show would do. Would that be sinful? Answer: A lot would depend on the cartoon I would think. Behind every cartoon is a…
Read MoreCan the church pay for things pertaining to the upkeep of the church building?
Question: Do you think the church can pay for things that pertain to the church building for things such as repairs or the lawn maintenance and work around the grounds to keep it looking presentable and then accommodations such as nursery items (baby bed, rocking chairs, books, maybe even toys, etc…), things that are simply conveniences…
Read MoreWhat Is the Difference?
by Irven Lee via The Graphic Evangelist, Vol. 21, No. 8, April 19, 1981. An instrument of music was introduced into the worship at Midway, Kentucky, in about 1858. This innovation moved slowly among churches in the North and finally came to the South in about 1900. Of course, the church support of the missionary society…
Read MoreThe Sum of God’s Word
by Frank Himmel via Gospel Power, Vol. 15, No. 25, June 22, 2008. Do you remember math class? We were taught that in multiplication the answer is called the product; in division, it is called the quotient; in subtraction, it is the remainder; in addition, it is the sum. Psalm 119:160 says, “The sum of…
Read MoreHow do you justify using Acts 20:7 as binding the day but not the place?
Question: I just read your article, “When are examples binding?” and I must say the very idea that an example somehow becomes a command is a, well, stretch if you ask me. You used Acts 20:7 as your “example” for when we should meet together but you don’t use Acts 2:46 which tells us that…
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 MoreCan a person add things to their worship so long as they don’t require it of others?
Question: I’m curious about things and friends of mine who go to other churches. I want to understand why they do the things they do. Regarding Christians doing what they personally want to do is what I’m trying to understand. I understand if they use musical instruments, dance, etc. in the religious practice of what…
Read MoreThe Christian’s Reign
Text: Psalm 2 I. Paul makes an interesting statement – II Timothy 2:11-12 A. We often talk about being with Christ after our death, but Paul talks about our reigning with Christ. B. He’s not the only one to make this point. John also mentions it – Revelation 3:21 C. It is a reign that will last through all…
Read MoreThe Sufficiency of the Bible
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/SufficiencyOfTheBible.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 3:1-12 I. Do we need anything beyond the Bible to know God’s will for us? A. If the Bible is all sufficient, then we would not need any church, priest, or religious leader. B. If the Bible is sufficient then we would be responsible to find the truth for ourselves…
Read MoreThe Authority of the Apostles (Hamilton)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/AuthorityOfTheApostles.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 2:41-47 I. An argument that you frequently hear is “Jesus never said ____ was wrong.” A. It doesn’t matter if the issue is thoroughly discussed in the New Testament, the focus is directed solely on whether Jesus directly made a statement on the subject. B. The implication of the argument…
Read MoreThe Proper Use of Power
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ProperUseOfPower.mp3 by Bruce Irwin
Read MoreGrace and Permissiveness
by Dale Smelser via Truth Magazine, July 25, 1974 There is cause for concern in some current ideas premised upon the grace of God. What persons with such ideas are saying of grace per se is often fine, but their projected applications are unjustified, especially when they suppose that the fellowship of false teachers and errant…
Read MoreThe Flip-Flop Generation
by Steve Klein Flip flops are perhaps the most casual footwear known to men. According to an online article entitled “The History of Flip Flops,” flip-flop-type footwear has been around for thousands of years, but has only become accepted in American culture since the 1950s (http://www.pecheblu.com/history.php). The article states the following: “Flip flops became defining…
Read MoreSince I Corinthians 16:1-2 was only about one need, then isn’t this just an example of how a collection might be taken and not a command for us today?
Question: I have been reading your web page and find it interesting. I came to the one on contribution and have some problems with it. Maybe you can correct my understanding. “Lay by in store so that there is no gathering when I come.” This is a command or request by Paul for the churches…
Read MoreWhy is the command to baptize applied to us, but not those concerning miraculous gifts?
Question: I am confused about the role of preaching and evangelism. I am curious to know whether passages such as Matthew 28:18-20 and Mark 16:15-16 apply to all Christians (past, present, and future) or if they only applied to the apostles and early Christians? I ask this because in the context of both passages Jesus…
Read MoreHow did the early church know what to do and how are we to determine what we are to follow?
Question: I have a question about “restoration” and the biblical pattern for the church. Does the entire New Testament apply to us in that we are to follow every teaching for our church to remain biblically sound? If so, did the early church do this exact thing with all 27 books of the New Testament?…
Read MoreYou Didn’t Say Not To
by Carey Scott Remember when you were young and you were sent to the store for a particular item? When you got home with that item and some other goodies, you were challenged as to why you bought more than that one item. You answered; “You didn’t say not to”. This was met with a…
Read MoreTrue Reverence for God
by Gilbert Alexander Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images A man dressed in splendid robes, with chains of gold about his neck and a great ring of gold on his finger, stands before a multitude of people, an ornate miter upon his head. In one hand, he holds a golden censer with burning incense in it,…
Read MoreSola Scriptura or Sola Papa?
by Chuck Durham via Biblical Insights, Vol. 7, No. 9, Sept. 2007. Pope Benedict XVI released a Vatican document on July 10, 2007, that reasserted the primacy of the Roman Catholic Church as providing the only true path to salvation. The document claims that the Roman Catholic Church is the only true church on earth having…
Read MoreShouldn’t we follow the Old Testament and the New Testament?
Question: Shouldn’t we follow God’s rules in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament? (I’m reading the Bible currently, and I’m only in Joshua right now.) I mean, well, some of the rules would be considered kind of illegal, such as sacrificing your first born child. I could not do that even if…
Read MoreThe “Name” of Jesus
by David Smitherman via Plain Talk, July 1983 Jesus has a “name” that is above every other name (Ephesians 1:21; Philippians 2:9) but that “name” is not just an arrangement of letters to spell that word: J-E-S-U-S is not this name. It is much more than a title or designation. In Scripture, “name” is often equivalent…
Read MoreMust everything we do be in God’s name and a benefit to His kingdom?
Question: I’m really grateful to you for leading me so far. There’s just a really big problem in my life right now and I know you already answered many aspects of it. It just seems like it’s crushing me with its weight. When I work in school, it stills feels like I’m going further away…
Read MoreHow is Truth Determined?
by Oscar C. Miles What probably bothers me most about Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons is that they do not allow any possibility that they might be in error. It seems to me that they have been programmed to resist the possibility of fallibility in their organization. They believe that they are God’s organization and thus…
Read MoreReligious Bargain Hunting
Text: II Peter 2:1-3 I. There are few of us who don’t like a good bargain when we can get one. A. There are some here who will look high-and-low for the best deal, whether it be groceries or a used car. B. Of course, some people don’t seem to have a clue as to what truly…
Read MoreThe Truth About Error
by Kenneth E. Thomas Often one will read an article or hear a sermon and immediately think or say, “I wish I had written or preached that.” When this is the case I often do a lesson with the same title or a modified one with some of the same points, giving it my style…
Read MoreThe Bible: Dare We Leave It?
by Dee Bowman It is amazing how many religions, in general, have left the Bible. Catholicism bears little resemblance to the Bible anymore, nor does denominationalism. In fact, some of the congregations that wear the name “Church of Christ” are quickly abdicating biblical principles in preference for what the people want instead of what the…
Read MoreWhy do you quote from the Old Law?
Question: I read Why We Don’t Follow the Old Testament and saw your point of view on the matter, but you do quote laws from Leviticus to justify positions. Aren’t all those laws thrown out, along with all other laws from the Old Testament? I’m not debating homosexuality here, but you do quote: Leviticus 18:22…
Read MoreHow can a husband and wife be equal when the husband has the rule over the wife?
Question: I read your article and I thought it was good. While I agree with most of it I find it hard to believe it all. Eve fell for the lies of Satan and ate the forbidden fruit. She sinned against God and gave Adam the same fruit and he also ate of it, thus causing…
Read MoreWhen are examples binding?
Question: “The only other ordinance taught by Christ was for them to celebrate the Lord’s Supper each first day of the week, generally in the evening twilight.” [The Story of the Churches of Christ in Central Europe]. There have been disagreements over practices through the years based on which apostolic examples are binding. How can…
Read MoreIsn’t it better to embrace the Salvation Army as part of God’s gift to humanity?
Question: God has given the Salvation Army a charitable nature and blessed it with members who similarly want to be ‘like Jesus’ who himself went against the conventions of the day to become involved with people who were poor, sick and rejected by society. Rather than narrowly home in on doctrinal differences would it not…
Read MoreWhat are your thoughts on the silence of the Scriptures?
Question: Do you have an outline on how important the silence of the Scriptures is? I would really appreciate some thoughts. Answer: See: Silence of the Scriptures
Read MoreThe Scriptures and Context
by Ethan R. Longhenry “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17). As Christians seeking to serve Jesus Christ according to His will (cf. Colossians 3:17),…
Read MoreIf it is wrong to use instrumental music because the New Testament doesn’t mention it, then it would be wrong to use electricity.
Question: My brother was a member of the Church of Christ which is why I know something about their beliefs. They didn’t use musical instruments when singing songs because, as he told me, musical instruments were not mentioned in the first-century church. Neither was electricity, but that sure didn’t keep them from having electric lights…
Read MoreThe Letter and the Spirit
by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. via Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 3, pp. 67-68, February 2, 1989 Earl Irvin West, in Volume 2 of his The Search For The Ancient Order (p. 250), introduces a chapter called “Prophets of Liberalism,” with an astute observation about what he calls “seeds of liberalism”: “Whether in the halcyon days of the restoration…
Read More