Names for God’s People

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Names-for-Gods-People.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 62:1-5   I.             Names hold a particular significance in the Bible                 A.           When a child is born in this country, parents agonize on picking out just the right name.                                  1.             Often the name is selected because it has a nice “ring” to it                                  2.             Because a favorite relative has the…

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The Quiet People

by Matthew W. Bassford Let us exalt the quiet people. Let us consider and honor them. They are nothing in the sight of the world and too often nothing in the sight of their brethren, but they are choice and precious in the sight of God. Every congregation has them. They assemble faithfully each Lord’s…

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Can We Just Be Christians

by Craig Thomas In a world filled with religious traditions and denominational churches, the concept of being simply Just a Christian is difficult to communicate. Yet a careful reader of the New Testament will realize Jesus did not die so His followers could be divided into sects and parties (John 17:20-23). Jesus died to reconcile…

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You should get your facts straight

Question: You mentioned (in Is “Christian” supposed to be “natsarim”?) that the New Testament wasn’t written in Hebrew. That’s partially true, as Epiphanius and others have documented there was a Hebrew Matthew. Then you mentioned that Christian was a valid term based on the assumption that the New Testament wasn’t written in Hebrew.  Uhm, the…

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The Marks of God’s People

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/The-Marks-of-Gods-People.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 7:15-20   I.         By their fruits you shall know them – Matthew 7:15-20             A.        You can distinguish between the righteous and the unrighteous by their fruits             B.        The things that they do make them recognizable. More importantly, the results of their work stand out.             C.        We could talk about the characteristics of…

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I am a Christian

By Cecil May, Dean Emeritus, Faulkner University College of Biblical Studies, in the October 2019 Gospel Advocate I am a disciple of Christ; I seek to learn from Him and follow Him…but I am not a Disciple of Christ. I am a methodist; I try to follow the biblical method…but I am not a Methodist.…

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Is “Christian” supposed to be “natsarim”?

Question: Hello, brethren in Christ, I hope you are well and my greetings to you and the church. I have been going on your website for many answers to questions that I study and I get provided many concrete answers. I wanted to get some clarification on the word “natsarim”. I have been having some…

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Labeled for Christ

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/LabeledForChrist.mp3 by Alan Feaster What are you labeled as? A label declares who a person is. Jesus was labeled, quite a few names (Revelation 19:13) “The Word of God” (Revelation 19:16) “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” (Revelation 1:5, 8) “faithful witness” “the firstborn of the dead” “I am the Alpha and the Omega”…

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Was the term “Christian” originally a derogatory reference?

Question: By your teaching the disciples were first called “Christians” at Antioch of Syria, which is true; however, who at Antioch was calling them this term and why? It was a derogatory term toward them, my friend. Then again by King Agrippa, another pagan. Then one other time this name is mentioned by Peter only…

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All Christians Are Priests

by David J. Riggs from Catholic Teaching Examined A study of the New Testament reveals that all Christians are priests. Peter said, “You too are living stones, built as an edifice of spirit, into a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (I Peter 2:5; The New Catholic Translation). Thus, all Christians…

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Are You a Bible Christian?

by Richie Thetford People grossly misuse the name “Christian.” The name belongs to an individual, not nations of people, such as “Christian nation.” What makes a person a “Bible Christian?” Before we answer that question, let’s first look at who is not a Christian. Not all “good people” are Christians. Morality is the obligation of…

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Who are the elect in the Bible?

Question: Who are the “elect” the Bible talks about? Answer: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled…

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Where does the Bible say the priesthood is given to all men?

Question: I have seen the Scripture in the Old or New Testament which states that the priesthood is to be given to all men.  However, I don’t remember where I found it. Would you please help us to locate it? Answer: “Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received…

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Christians and the Passover

by Gilbert Alexander The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is honored with deep love and respect by all Christians everywhere, and they assemble in localities throughout the world on the first day of every week to remember His death in His memorial supper as He commanded and as Christians have done since the…

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The Christian’s Growth in the Lord

by Richard Thetford Once an individual puts on Christ in baptism, they should be determined to please God in all aspects of their life. But before one can begin to grow, one must first possess an attitude that says; “I want to grow as a Christian in order to be pleasing to God.” We are…

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Christians and Christmas

by Ethan R. Longhenry It’s that time of year again: the weather is getting cold, snow is beginning to fall, and we are constantly bombarded by retail stores and their marketing blitzes. Christmastime is upon us yet again, and every year it seems more commercialized, more cutthroat, and less about family and togetherness. Many attempts…

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Notes on Christian

The word Christian means a follower of Christ. A Christian is a person who keeps God’s commandments – I John 2:3-6; John 8:31 A Christian does not make sin a habit (breaking the law of God) – I John 3:4-10 A Christian loves God and his brethren – I John 4:7-21 Love requires the keeping…

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Are there more Christians who actually believe the Bible?

Question: Are there more Christians who actually believe the Word of God? I know I should rejoice in trials, but I would like to know are there more people who, like you, believe in the Word. Everyone is so “Christian” until you get to a verse of the Scripture that they don’t like, then they…

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