A querist asks, “In 1 Corinthians 15:29 KJV, what does the phrase, “baptized for the dead” refer to in this verse?” Using the King James Version, the text reads: “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?“ […]

In 1 Peter 2:11, the word “pilgrims” in the Greek is “parepidemos” (Strong’s 3927), which is a combination of three words: para — (alongside of), epi – (upon), demos — (people of a foreign country or city).

God’s word commands us to pray (cf. Philippians 4:6; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18; 1 Timothy 2:1; 1 Timothy 5:5). In prayer, there is a recognition that one must approach the throne of God with reverence (Hebrews 12:28).

When man refuses to see the abundant proof of God’s eternal power and divine attributes in the created world, he “glorifies Him not as God, neither is thankful.” (Romans 1:21). In reading Romans 1:20, we learn that God has a divine nature. All who recognize God’s divine nature, glorify Him with the honor so justly due […]

In Acts 7:59-60, Luke records that when Stephen was stoned, he “fell asleep.” Our English word “cemetery” comes from this same Greek word (koimao – Strong‘s 2837), which means “to put to sleep.”

When we study the Bible and consider what a passage does “not” say, God’s truth becomes vividly impressed on our minds. For example, when the Jews on the day of Pentecost asked Peter and the rest of the apostles what to do to be saved, Peter did not say, “You are already saved since you […]

Many times in our Christian walk, it becomes very discouraging to continue to do good and receive no word of thanks or see no tangible results. However, Paul challenges us to keep on doing good because in due time we will reap that eternal reward.

As individual members in the Lord’s church, we must keep “movin’ on” to greater accomplishments, never being content with how far we’ve come with past accomplishments (Philippians 3:13-14).

In comparing Isaiah 2:1-5, Isaiah 11:6-9, and Micah 4:1-4, we see the coming kingdom of the Lord dramatically portrayed, as a kingdom of peace. In Romans 14:17, Paul adds two other key virtues of the kingdom,  righteousness and joy.

One of the greatest difficulties in serving God in this country is the tendency toward complacency. In America, we are blessed with laws which protect us from persecution, and we are individually blessed with a wealth which exceeds almost any country in history. Even today, much of the world would be amazed at what we […]

John was a professional salt-water fisherman. He explained to his good friend Jack, how he cruised out to sea each morning, coming back each evening with his catch. Jack asked, “Is there a part of the year you can’t go out?” John replied, “The winter is too risky. Below freezing, the spray of the water […]

At the close of an important speech to Congress on January 6, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt shared his vision of the kind of world he wanted to see after the war in Europe was over (scroll down to 14).

Many people in our world have concluded that the Bible is an incomprehensible book of “mystery.” It is looked upon as a book of unresolved conflicts and offers only numerous viewpoints. However, the Bible puts great emphasis upon understanding.

From Matthew 15:8-9, we see the Lord’s condemnation of religious folks who worshiped God after the commandments of men. When we worship God after man’s commandments, we become hypocrites, simply because if we truly loved and honored God as we claim, we would worship Him precisely as He directs (Matthew 7:21).

1) Daily thank the Lord for providing the many spiritual benefits we enjoy (Psalm 68:19). 2) Daily cry to the Lord for His mercy (Psalm 86:3). 3) Daily make application of the wisdom found in God’s word (Proverbs 8:32-35).

There are past mistakes that members of the Lord’s church have made, which have contributed to an anemic, dwarfed discipleship. One of the saddest mistakes of all, is baptizing a believer in Christ, and then leaving him or her to struggle with temptations and perplexing questions alone. That is nothing short of spiritual cruelty and […]

The story is told of a ship Captain who was once standing on the bow of his ship with binoculars, carefully watching every rock that protruded above the water. Being sorely frightened, one of the passengers came to the Captain and asked, “Sir, do you know where all the rocks are?” The Captain answered, “No, […]

The story is told of a pioneer preacher was one day preaching on the topic, “The Bible can be understood” to a small group who had gathered on the street, when an atheist ridiculed him saying, “Preacher, if the Bible is so easily understood, who don’t more people understand it?”

Elijah’s question that he asked in 1 Kings 18:21, is just as forceful and applicable today as it was when he asked it. Brethren, it is extremely important the we “stand fast” in the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13) and “stand fast” in the Lord (Philippians 4:1),

Most of us wouldn’t ignore a dollar lying on the ground. We would gladly pick it up and put it in our pocket. Yet we often ignore the Bible, a treasure chest overflowing with God’s precious promises (2 Peter 1:4; cf. 2 Corinthians 6:16-18; 2 Corinthians 7:1). David, the likely author of Psalm 119), recorded […]