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By Smith, Marc, on September 11th, 2010
Did You Know That All Of The Conversions In The New Testament Are Found In The Book of Acts?
A very excellent fact to know is that all of the cases of conversion are very conveniently found in the Book of Acts. Added to this is the fact that all of these cases of conversion mention baptism. The prevailing denominational views of course minimize or eliminate the need for actual baptism over variations of grace only salvation.
I have rejoiced many times to see the happy amazement of so many Christians when this basic help to their understanding is revealed to them. They almost hate to admit that such an obvious truth has been right in front of them all along. But now that they know about it, they are thrilled with prospects of easier access, less bumbling and confusion on their part when they are attempting to convert the lost.
Continue reading » Doing the First Works: New Testament Conversions
By Robertson, John, on September 10th, 2010
This is the second of two articles dealing with the subject of establishing Bible authority for all that we say and practice. While the first article examines authority in the Old Testament this article shall look to the New Testament. The importance of such a study cannot be overstated. Many brethren have questions that demand answers. One brother wants to know if his marriage is right before God and another sister desires to know if there is any way for a woman to serve as a deacon in the church. A brother from one local congregation hears that another local church sees no authority for serving the Lord’s Supper twice on Sunday. On and on the questions go. Once again this article will not deal with any one issue or question but will rather remind Christians of their responsibility to establish Bible authority for all that they speak and practice. The Bible, in its entirety, depicts God’s expectation of man’s perfection in holiness. His expectation is the highest of standards for the saint. Those who do not meet the Lord’s expectation shall be eternally doomed. Those who achieve holiness in this life will be eternally rewarded.
Continue reading » Establishing Authority in the New Testament (2 of 2)
By Jones, Kurt, on September 9th, 2010
We often hear this phrase uttered when one is caught in open sin, and when there is a clear disparity and discrepancy in their practice and the truth of the scriptures. During the course of a discussion or Bible study one may be convicted by the scriptures of their sin, yet they are not willing to come to repentance and follow the Truth of the scriptures. Thus, this phrase “God knows my heart” is uttered. It is a feeble attempt to justify their sin in their own minds. The phrase is said to nullify obedience to God’s divine word. Thus, those who make this argument, imply “I am convinced in my own mind and heart, thus it must be pleasing to God regardless of what He has revealed in the scriptures.” It is the credo of those who “serve their own belly,” rather than “the Lord, Christ” ( Philippians 3:17-19). The phrase defines the very attitude of those who seek to follow their own emotions and feelings, and reject the clear teaching of inspired scripture which alone is able to make us complete and equip us unto all good works ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Let us consider the scriptural implications of such an argument…..
Continue reading » "God Knows My Heart"
By Smith, Marc, on September 8th, 2010
From the biblical standpoint it seems very obvious that it has always been God’s aim to have His children be humble and unadorned by the typical failings of status conscious man. We are reminded of Job 32:21-22, where we read, “Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. (22) For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.”
Even the dire warning found in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, has the strong teaching that this prophecy will come to be because of the vanity and ego of man; “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” Such a desire to be exalted by other men is wicked and the Lord has been clear in His commands concerning this very thing (Matthew 23:8-11, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”).
Continue reading » The Titles of Clergy: Are Gospel Preachers Pastors?
By Cox, Stan, on September 7th, 2010
(John 3)
This article consists of an analysis of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, recorded in John 3. As the conversation is lengthy, and I desired to include the entire context in this one article, it too is rather long.
Born Again (John 3:1-5)
Jesus, in John 3, had a conversation with a ruler of the Jews named Nicodemus. While it is obvious by Nicodemus’ words he was impressed with Jesus, it must be noted that he was ignorant of who Jesus truly was, and was a bit cautious in his approach.
Nicodemus referred to the Lord as a “rabbi” (teacher), and acknowledged that the miracles Jesus performed marked Him as a man from God. However, the fact that John revealed the ruler’s approach to be “by night” indicates that Nicodemus may have desired not to be seen talking with such a controversial man.
Continue reading » "You Must Be Born Again"
By Cox, Stan, on September 6th, 2010
By Smith, Marc, on September 6th, 2010
Once upon a time, in perhaps another world (sometimes it seems like it to me!), I received my income by secular employment. That’s right; because I did not begin to work with a church as a located preacher till I was almost 30. During my early adult years I was not the Lord’s man and by that I don’t mean I was not a Christian because I was, but only in the sense that I received no financial support from the church for doing the work of preaching the gospel. Of course, gospel preachers are entitled to receive such support and usually depend upon it for their livelihood (as did Paul the apostle: Philippians 4:15&16; 2 Corinthians 11:8; Acts 28:30). For me the change from secular work to being dependent upon the Lord for a livelihood was really quite great. But there is more to this idea and I’d like to bring you to my point by explaining how I come to this.
Continue reading » "Are You On the Guerdon of the Lord?"
By Cox, Stan, on September 5th, 2010
We are living in the digital age. Though some churches still offer audio recordings on analog cassette tape, most have gone to offering audio CD’s of sermons. Other congregations offer audio recordings of the preaching done at their congregation over the internet, on the web sites they maintain.
The process for offering sermon audio is simple, and inexpensive. For those who are not familiar with how it is done, may I offer some suggestions as a primer.
First, it is necessary to get the sermon audio into a digital format. While there are more expensive (and intricate) ways of doing it, the simplest is a portable digital recorder. For less than $100, one can be purchased that has stereo capabilities, and records in several different file formats. The results are amazingly good, and are achieved simply by pressing record, and placing the recorder on the pulpit during the sermon or class.
Continue reading » Digitally Recording Sermons
By Scroggins, Dennis, on September 4th, 2010
It is being reported in the news that a church in Florida intends to burn a large number of Qurans, Islam’s most Holy Book, Saturday September 11, 2010, in memory of the citizens that were lost in the 9-11 attacks of 2001.
The world is watching, and not really understanding what is taking place in regard to religious icons, people’s faith systems, and what is the truth! Truth works to destroy what is false by attacking the error in the hearts of people, not by simply attacking the icons of that error. You might physically destroy an idol, but the teachings and faith system attached to the idol will not be destroyed in the minds of those that serve that idol. It takes the gospel in the heart of an individual to help them recognize the difference between what is genuine and what is counterfeit. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
Honest people have always been convinced that Error is the only thing that shuns or hides from open and honest investigation. Burning one single Quran or a thousand Qurans will never stop that belief system any more than burning a Bible, or a thousand Bibles would destroy the faith one might have in Jesus Christ to be the Son of God.
Continue reading » Why No One Should Burn the Quran
By Cox, Stan, on September 3rd, 2010
By Campbell, Kyle, on September 3rd, 2010
It seems that every time the country has a recession, premillennial speculations go on the upswing. The opposite is true for periods of prosperity: premillennial speculations decrease. When these speculations begin to circulate, people want to connect biblical events to events in the Middle East. I have heard it said that whenever someone sneezes in the Middle East, someone in America thinks it is the end of the world!
One of the events we have heard the most about is the battle of Armageddon. Revelation 16:16 says, “And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” This is supposedly the one final battle after the seven year tribulation period and before Christ sets up His earthly throne in Jerusalem to rule for one thousand years. Most premillennial theories revolve around two major events in Revelation: the battle of Armageddon in chapter 16 and the millennium in chapter 20.
Continue reading » The Battle of Armageddon
By Cox, Stan, on September 2nd, 2010
1 Kings 18 records a conversation between the great prophet Elijah, and Obadiah, the steward over the house of King Ahab. Despite his close association with the evil king, scripture describes Obadiah as a man who “feared the Lord greatly” (18:3).
Elijah gave Obadiah instructions to set up a meeting between him and the king. The two were mortal enemies, and Ahab had been searching for him ever since Elijah had instigated a drought in the land in response to Ahab’s evil practices. As Obadiah told him, “As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my master has not sent someone to hunt for you; and when they said, ‘He is not here,”’ he took an oath from the kingdom or nation that they could not find you” (18:10). Elijah was now ready to reveal himself to the king, and recruited Obadiah to set up the meeting.
A number of lessons can be learned by becoming familiar with these two men, and examining the conversation they had on that eventful day.
Continue reading » Lessons to Learn from Elijah and Obadiah
By Cox, Stan, on September 1st, 2010
By Smith, Jeff, on September 1st, 2010
Much skepticism surrounds those men and women today who claim the ability to see into the future or work other miracles by the power of God or some other source.
Rightly so, for their gifts are usually proven quite fallible and natural, and sometimes even very self-serving and duplicitous. At the same time, however, the word “miracle” is tossed about in our world quite freely, characterizing everything from the birth of a baby to an upset in the Super Bowl. Somewhere between the charlatans and the exaggeration is the truth about Bible miracles and that truth is surely found in the New Testament.
Continue reading » Gifts of the Spirit
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