On his way to Jerusalem, Paul stopped in Miletus to meet with the elders from the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17ff). In this farewell address, Paul reminded them that message he brought to them was “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). This is the message Paul preached “everywhere in every church” (1 […]
The Gospel of the Grace of God Read More »
In the physical realm, there is often safety in numbers. We witness this in the animal kingdom with “herd” animals. Dangers come for the animal that ventures too far away from the herd. Humans understand this safety principle as well. We teach youths the “buddy-system.” We tell them to not separate from their “group” when
Numbers and Popularity Read More »
Preachers can feel overwhelmed by the amount of work that lies before them. There are sinners who need to be taught the soul-saving message of salvation (1 Cor. 1:21), there are unruly brethren who need to be warned (1 Thess. 5:14), there are fallen saints who need to be restored (Gal. 6:1) and there are
Evangelistic Responsibility Read More »
Not everyone agrees about when Jesus established His kingdom. There are three major views on the date of its establishment: the first Pentecost following the ascension of Christ (this occurred in Acts 2), A.D. 70 at the destruction of Jerusalem, some future date when Christ returns. Let us notice five key passages that show us
The Establishment of the Kingdom Read More »
The question often arises over which church is the right church. This question cannot be honestly and objectively answered by looking within ourselves. Jeremiah the prophet said, “Oh Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself, it is not in man who walks, to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23). In things religious,
The Church You Can Read About in the Bible Read More »
When we speak of the church being “all sufficient,” what do we mean? The claim that the church is all sufficient means that the church is fully capable of doing all the work God gave it to do. It does not need the aid of institutions to carry out this work. Christians do not need
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For centuries, questions and controversies have existed among religious people over the role of women in the work and worship of the local church. Two extreme positions have arisen: Some have concluded that the Bible authorizes women to preach and hold positions of authority within the local church. I am regularly asked what I believe
“Let the Women Keep Silent in the Churches” Read More »
“Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Ephesians 3:21). Paul had just described the church as God’s eternal purpose and the means by which God’s wisdom was made manifest to the principalities and powers (Eph. 3:10, 11). Through the preaching of the gospel, all men, including Jews and
Glorifying God in the Church Read More »
In their effort to justify the use of non-church religious organizations for evangelism, edification and worship, some brethren have found it necessary to deny that the “church” of 1 Timothy 3:15 is the local church. They need for it to be the universal church, for they reason that this allows them to justify their human societies on the
“Church” in 1 Timothy 3:15 – Local or Universal? Read More »
It is important that we have the proper source of authority. If we do not, the result is apostasy. Disobedience comes because we are not doing whatever we do, “in word or deed…in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17), but by other standards of authority as well. Division comes when we do not
The Source of Authority Read More »
