We run into people on a more or less frequent basis that are looking to perhaps “join my church.” Many times you will hear people who are undergoing this process say things like, “How do I know which church to join,” and “How do I choose the right church?” It is well understood that these […]

We most always read the scripture in Luke 22 before we partake of the Lord’s Supper. Shouldn’t we also read scriptures that we should do this on the first day of the week? I sometimes wonder if we have non-Christians in our audience that we should include these scriptures also. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul […]

Yes! In fact, we have a divine obligation to use instrumental music in worship! Perhaps you are wondering at this point if this writer is the same Kevin Cauley who preaches for the Berryville church of Christ in Berryville, Arkansas. You know, the church that doesn’t believe in “instrumental music.” Well, it is the same […]

When we come across a passage within the Bible that is difficult to interpret or seemingly means something that contradicts another plain teaching of scripture, we must look at it through our understanding of the plain teaching of scriptures. Many choose to interpret the difficult passage first and then take perfectly plain scriptures and twist […]

If the steps to salvation are understand, believe, confess, repent and be baptized… does that mean that if these steps were done but not in that order that one will not find true salvation? Is infant baptism invalid? Thanks for your question. In order to be saved, one must follow the order of salvation that […]

It has not been too long ago when I heard a report of someone accusing the church of Christ of being a cult. Now before I even address the question of the church of Christ being a cult, let me first state that the person who made the accusation does not understand the description, “church […]

Such was the faith of Abraham. God commanded and he obeyed. This was a great object lesson for the Israelite nation. They were undergoing a journey when they first heard this. Theirs was a journey commanded by God. They had the opportunity to obey and identify with their father Abraham. Sadly, few of them lived […]

Okay I know you are suppose to get baptized,but if you don’t and it is a sin but sins can be forgiven so even though it is a part of salvation it is necessary,but you can be forgiven for not being baptized right? Will God forgive you for anything no matter how great the sin? […]

If upon death the spirit is returned unto God then are the Christians in Heaven prior to judgement day? Please explain “Paradise” and purgatory. Thank you. Thank you for your question. I wouldn’t necessarily say that Ecclesiastes 12:7 means that we return to the presence of God, just to His care. I.E. He controls our […]

There are many people who ask this question today. It is difficult to answer such a question in so short a space as I have in the bulletin, but I am going to try to give a few practical bits of information that I hope you will find valuable as you purpose to study the […]

We all listen to the voice of someone. As humans this is inescapable. John Donne (1572-1631) wrote, “No man is an island.”? We come into this world listening to the voice of our mother and father. As children we hear the voices of relatives and friends. Growing older, we listen to teachers and preachers, newscasters […]

The question is often asked, “What is the most critical problem facing the church today?” The answers are varied, and often given in keeping with that particular man’s interest and concern, and for all the answers, all of them play a part in today’s time of discontent, unrest, and turmoil. And, when we state that […]

There is one little word in the English language that has the power to disannul every acknowledgement of truth and seemingly noble intention – that word is “but.” When someone says, “I know I ought to, but….”, you immediately know what’s about to follow. The use of the word “but” becomes a process of explaining […]

In the book of Ezra, chapters 8-10, we read concerning the return of some Israelites to their native land. When they had come out of captivity, they offered sacrifices to God (8:35). From this sacrifice they delivered some to the satraps and governors of the king as a commission. But when they did this, they […]

8) A Passage Must Be Interpreted In Harmony With Any Idioms It Contains These are the characteristics peculiar to the original languages of the Bible. The Bible was written in the common languages of man (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) and is filled with expressive idioms. Thus our understanding of the meaning of a passage depends […]

SUBJECT: Church Organization/Leadership

TITLE: Why Do We Have Elders?

PROPOSITION: We have elders to 1) Oversee 2) Counsel 3) Shepherd.

Objectives: That each would understand the role elders have in the local congregation.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Read: Acts 20:28

2. About the Text:

1) This context is the only passage of scripture in which we have all three words used to describe the office of the elder.

In Genesis 7:2, 3, how many of the clean animals get onto the ark? Is it seven, or seven pair? Ancient, modern, conservative, and liberal scholars alike are divided about 50/50 on this question. The text says, “Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of […]

We have all been to lakes and ponds to enjoy various different activities. I remember when I was a kid and my parents took me to Lake Bastrop State Park which is about 30 miles east of Austin, TX off highway 71. We would camp, fish, play miniature golf, and just enjoy being outdoors among […]

As I type this article, I am suffering from the cumulative effect of having stayed up very late for the past several evenings. What have I been doing, you may ask, to keep me up so late? Mary Lynn and I re-wallpapered the living room this past week and we have been moving around furniture […]

Good Success in the Bible – People define success in different ways. Success to some is the accumulation of goods. To another success may be academic achievement. And yet to another, success may be linked to the number of successful relationships in his life. Although one may enjoy success on several different levels, if he […]