Last week we noted the charge of “cult” that denominationalism levels at those who claim to be New Testament Christians today. One of the additional reasons this charge is leveled against us is that to the denominational world, it is unthinkable that the church of Christ (the church that belongs to Christ) would be one […]
Is saying words like gosh, golly, heck, darn, dang, etc. the same as saying the “bad” words? I hear lots of Christians say these words. Are they wrong? Here is a good question. This shows that someone out there is concerned about their speech and the influence of their speech upon other people. The Bible […]
Please open your Bibles to Matthew 3:1-6 Having testified concerning Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy in his birth, Matthew now moves on to Jesus years of ministry. Matthew begins at this point in the history of Jesus life because the critical years of Jesus life were from the time of his baptism to the time of […]
Catholicism has always had a large media spotlight, but recently Catholicism has garnered more media attention that usual. This is because of the scandalous events that have surrounded the Catholic Church as of late. The media has focused the spotlight on the abusive sexual practices of the priests in this institution and rightly so. Any […]
One of the most surprising things (at least to the media pundits) to come out of this past Tuesday’s election was that whopping twenty-five percent of the voters said that morals was the number one issue that drove them to the polls. Prior to the election, there were not many saying that this would be […]
Many years ago, someone gave me this illustration of the grace of God and I haven’t forgotten it since. Suppose you went down to the local car dealership and walked into the front door and someone walked up to you, but instead of saying, “Can I help you,” they said, “Today is your day! Today […]
This past Wednesday night in the high school class, one of our astute and observant high school students asked me why some are calling us a cult. After the death of Matthew Winkler, there were several in the media who were seeking to “analyze” the situation. One Nancy Grace on CNN invited a Baptist “pastor” […]
I am a 19 year old college student. I do know that babies and young children are going to heaven, because our God is a merciful God. I recently got into a tiff with my boyfriend about how they are saved. He says they are saved by faith that He gives the children (Matt 19:13-15) […]
Last week I started an e-mail conversation with a man who was a member of the Methodist church. The conversation started because he had seen an article that I published on our web site, “Is the Church of Christ a Cult?” His contention was that any group that claims that they are the only one’s […]
With all of the recent news regarding the Catholic Church many have heard stated as fact by news media and others that Peter was the first pope. This is, of course, official Catholic doctrine. But what does the Bible say about Peter’s popehood? Is there one scripture that plainly declares that Peter was the first […]
What is the meaning of “baptized for the dead” in 1 Cor 15:29: “Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?” Two observations: 1. “the dead” seems to be plural, so I can’t see this as a […]
Is it OK for a man to be in public with his shirt off for any reason? If yes, what is the difference between a man doing it and a woman doing it? This question is a question regarding modesty. Modesty deals with the question of the presentation of the physical body in public situations. […]
“And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Cor. 9:25 ASV). Perhaps you have watched some of the Olympic Games this past week. If you have, then you have watched while athletes from all over the […]
When did God make dinosaurs? In Genesis 1:24 we read, “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their […]
We read within the Bible that Christians assembled together upon the first day of the week to worship God through His Son, Jesus (Acts 20:7). When they met together, they studied God’s word, prayed, sang hymns of praise, gave of their income, and partook of the Lord’s supper. We have examples for each of these […]
The word “doctrine” in the Bible simply means “teaching.” Today we generally use the word “doctrine” to refer to a precise teaching or set of teachings while the word “teaching” itself refers more loosely to overall general concepts. Too, doctrine seems to have a religious connotation while teaching may connote the religious or secular. So […]
Jesting in the Bible – Define Jesting as found in the Bible in Ephesians 5:4. What does jesting mean? Is it sinful or is it not? Please explain what Ephesians 5:4 means as to foolish talking nor jesting. Please, what does jesting in the Bible mean? “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it […]
Vs. 1 – Closely following the Spirit’s acknowledgement of Jesus, the Spirit directs Jesus to go into this wilderness where He would be tempted by Satan. Mark records that there were “wild animals” in this wilderness (Mark 1:13). The wilderness of Judea was a rocky, barren, scrubby environment more or less hostile to human life. […]
Yesterday was January 1st, 2005. The year 2004 is gone forever. Some may be wondering, “What will the new year hold for us?” Will there be weddings? (I know of one being planned.) Will there be funerals? Will there be births (I know of one of these too!) Will there be good times? Will there […]
Here is a question that the Bible directly answers in scripture. In James 1:5, James writes, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James states that if someone wants wisdom, that he may ask God and […]