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• Jesus Defines Repentance

  …ster WongMixxMySpaceNetvouzNewsvineoneviewOnlyWirePlugIMPropellerRedditSegnaloShoutwireSimpySlashdotSurphaceSphinnSpurlSquidooStumbleUponTechnoratiThisNextTwitterWebrideWindows LiveYahoo!Email This to a Friend  Link HTML:  Permalink:  If you like this then please subscribe to the RSS Feed.Powered by Bookmarkify™ More »The Bible clearly teaches that repentance is a command of God to all men (…

• Repentance–How Can I Be Sure?

  The words repent and repentance are Bible words, words hardly ever used outside of a religious context.  In reading one’s New Testament, beginning with the gospel accounts, the first preaching that is recorded is that of John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 3:2 NKJV)  In Matt. 4:17 we see Jesus preaching the exact same message.  The call to men from inspiration from the very …

• Peter’s Second Gospel Sermon

  that the truth was taught and what was taught was the same as that taught by Peter in Acts 2 by inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  For it to be otherwise would be to say two or more different gospels were preached which we are sure was not the case.  Peter did not preach one gospel one day and another gospel another day.  He did not have a different gospel for everyday of the week or month nor did one apostle preach one thing and another apostle p…

• Does God Really Care?

  love; and he relents over disaster.” Jeremiah in the book of Lamentations is expressing sorrow over what has become of Jerusalem and his nation the result of sin but then says, “He may bring us sorrow, but his love for us is sure and strong.  He takes no pleasure in causing us grief or pain.” (Lamentations 3:32-33 TEV)  The ESV translates verse 33 with these words, “for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.”  In verses 21 …

• Peter’s Preaching and the Apostle’s Preaching

  It is not uncommon to hear people express doubts about the harmony of the preaching and teaching found in the New Testament often doing so by making the claim that the various writers of the New Testament differed in what they taught.  Often those who make such claims will pit Paul against James or Peter against Paul. The truth is the scriptures do not belong to Paul, or James, or Peter, or to any other writer even if their name happens to be at…

• Repentance

  Jesus Defines Repentance Repentance–How Can I Be Sure? Repent–How Hard It Is To Do Peter’s Second Gospel Sermon Willful Sin–Can Anyone be Saved? More on Willful Sin–Can Anyone be Saved? The Chastening of the Lord The Blessing of Affliction and the Goodness of God …

• Never Give Up

  deceived, there is no one no matter how spiritual they may appear and may even actually be who is not capable of sin, even grievous sin.  We sometimes tend to think others are strong and not tempted like me.  Don’t be overly sure of that.  No one is struggling like me.  Don’t be sure of that.  No one has to fight temptation like me.  Don’t be sure of that.  It is said that David was around 50 years old at the time of this sin.  It is not just th…

• Spiritual Mirages

  It is so easy to be misled in life.  Things appear to be a certain way when the reality is they are just the opposite of what they seem to be.  Ask any young man or woman or husband or wife who has been deeply in love and then found out to their utter dismay that the love they felt sure was mutual between them and their beloved was all just an illusion and the object of their affections was in reality ready to dump them.  The first reaction is o…

• Repent–How Hard It Is To Do

  It is hard to repent, no doubt about it.  I remember the comment made by a well known preacher of the nineteenth century that the hardest thing there was to do was to get men to repent.  By contrast it was easy to get men to believe.  He considered his greatest failure was in convincing men to repent. He was not the first preacher to have that problem.  The Bible calls Noah “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5 NKJV).  Most Bible students b…

• God’s Willingness to Forgive–King Manasseh

  God of Israel.” (2 Chron. 33:15-16 ESV) God said in the book of Ezekiel (18:21-23 NKJV): “’But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.  None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live.  Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked…

• The Case of Cornelius and the Holy Spirit

  There are many who believe beyond doubt that Cornelius was saved at the time the Holy Spirit came upon him and his household.  It is a topic that ought to be discussed.  While I have written once before on this subject more needs to be said as there has been some objection to what was written.  I know of no person who claims to be a Christian who would deny the fact that the very first gospel sermon ever preached after Christ’s death, buri…

• The Conversion of the Philippian Jailer

  ho say all I have to do is believe in order to be saved is that they leave out repentance all together.  That ought to save the demons then, hadn’t it?  They believe and no repentance required for salvation.   Yes, I am sure Paul taught faith in the Lord Jesus and when understood properly that will save a man.  However, faith in the Lord Jesus means you believe everything Jesus taught and believe it so strongly you obey him without question…

• When did Obedience Become Legalism?

  es to be Christians.      I give people credit in a place where perhaps some others would not.  Some would say we have come to this place because people today are just ignorant of God’s word.  Well, there is truth in that for sure but why is it so?  Is there a shortage of Bibles?  No, that is not it.  There is a lack of will to read them–that is for sure.  And there is a lack of a will to believe them and obey them.  Peter said there was su…

• Resource Sites

  music.  If there was not a word in this pamphlet [I have it in pamphlet form] on the subject of instrumental music it would be worth its weight in gold just in the discussion on faith and opinion.) The Sonship of Christ  (Be sure and scroll down the page once you get to it.  This is an extremely unique and valuable one of a kind sermon.  It details the relationship of Christ the Son with God the Father like nothing else I have ever read, a late …

• The Christian, Politics, and the Government

  What role if any should the Christian play in politics?  All any man can know about the subject is what the Bible says and since it was written for the benefit and enlightenment of all men in all ages of time from the time it was first penned until the last day of this earth’s existence and for all cultures and under all the different kinds of governments under which men have lived it speaks to us not in specifics but in general statements on th…

• A New Creation in Christ

  extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.   I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himsel…

• The Truth So Called Christians Will Not Accept

  from Jesus above, does great zeal for God overcome a lack of knowledge of God’s will–is zeal greater than truth?  To ask is to answer. But a point to be emphasized in addition to that is this.  That generation was sure that they had God’s will and were practicing it.  In their mind there was absolutely no doubt about that.  Those who disputed them found themselves in trouble.  It is the same in our day and I am about to find mys…

• Ways into Christ–How Many Ways Are There?

  It is only human nature to want the way to heaven to be as broad and all-inclusive as possible thus the more ways into Christ that can be found the better from our earthly point of view.  We have people we want to see saved and yet we are pretty sure they are not due to either the way they are living or to the beliefs they hold thus a broad gate and a wide way to heaven would suit us just fine.  But it goes without saying that our love for one w…

• The Need to Preach on Sin

  There is a great need to preach on sin today.  I am not at all sure that sin is any worse or more prevalent today than in generations gone by for one can go back in history and find unimaginable sin.  Human sacrifice, cannibalism, idol worship, all forms of sexual debauchery, witchcraft, mass murderers (think Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot), you name it and you can find it in the history of the sins of mankind.  History teaches us just how bad man…

• The Church as the Body of Christ–Which Means What?

  The church of the New Testament is in the scriptures referred to under several different designations or appellations one of which is the body of Christ.  “And he put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Eph. 1:22-23 NKJV)  “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for th…

• Jesus’ Baptism and You?

  Does baptism matter?  Most Americans have come to the conclusion that it does not, a person can be saved and go to heaven baptized or not.  It is such a settled conviction with most that they are not willing to give the study of the topic the time of day.  It is ridiculous to even consider it as they see it. It seems to me this is taking the same attitude the Pharisees took back in the first century.  They had their settled law and there was no …

• What Must a Man Believe to be Saved by the Gospel?

  That the gospel of Christ must be believed (as well as obeyed) in order to receive Christian salvation is made abundantly clear by the apostle Paul in one of the best known passages found in the Bible–Rom. 1:16:  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16 NAS)  It thus becomes essential that we learn what it is that …

• Why Do Men Run From God?

  Why do men run from God?  It has been a question with me for years and one I have had the deepest interest in because I cannot understand it and things I cannot understand when it comes to the way people behave have a way of bothering me.  I have always wanted to know why men do what they do.  I have wanted to know how men think and why they think the way they do and thus what motivates a man.   The reality is only God can know for sure for only…

• Are the New Testament Scriptures Alone a Sufficient Guide to Heaven?

  ny it.  (3) Those groups or individuals who believe they need and receive direct guidance from the Holy Spirit in addition to the scriptures.  (4) Those groups we might call modernists. A modernist, for those who might not be sure, is an individual or religious body (denomination) that takes the smorgasbord approach to the New Testament if they believe it at all.  The New Testament is not seen as being trustworthy in its statements and man must d…

• Demas Has Forsaken Me

  our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;  When we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.” (NAS) I am not sure Demas was an apostle, in the broad sense of the term, but he was with Paul here and there and surely saw and/or experienced for himself some of these very things.  Maybe Demas just got tired. The world offers worldly ho…

• Bible Authority, Foot Washing, the Holy Kiss, and Head Coverings?

  e stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor. 10:11-12 NKJV)  Do we listen or are we fearless?  Is there respect for the word of God or disrespect? God is to be worshipped “in the beauty of holiness.” (Psalms 29:2 NKJV)  I am not sure I know how to be holy while exalting my own ideas about what to bring into worship and placing them on the same level with God’s commands. There is in the New Testament one verse that settles this question about whether…

• Gospel Obedience at Corinth

  y recall the words of Ananias to him, “arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins.” (Acts 22:16 NAS)  I might add that it is hard to wash away your sins if you do not have any so evidently Ananias felt pretty sure that Paul still had some that needed to be taken care of.  Many modern day preachers speak as though they know more about it than what Ananias did as they say men are saved at the point of faith without baptism and thus…

• More on Willful Sin—Can Anyone be Saved?

  ercy for the Christian.  Grace and mercy are not just reserved exclusively for the alien sinner who comes to God. It is true we may always feel sorrowful about what we have done and have long lingering regrets but I am not so sure that is a bad thing if it helps us to determine to never ever again even entertain the thought of doing such a thing.  I often think of David and Absalom which is a heart wrenching story.  Where did he go wrong with his…

• Hypocrites in the Church

  Are there hypocrites in the church?  Surely, there are some.  Paul dealt with such in his day for he said in 2 Cor. 11:13, “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.” (NASU)  In Gal. 2:4 he speaks of “false brethren secretly brought in.” (NASU)  Hypocrisy is thus an age old problem and one we will never rid ourselves of in this life. There are hypocrites about everywh…

• Honestly Deceived

  e man was honest, trying to do right, resisting temptation from Jeroboam who had previously tempted him to do this very thing.  We might say his only sin was believing a lie from a man that should have been trustworthy.  I am sure many have wondered about this event. Eve provides another example of one who was deceived.  She says in Gen. 3:13 “The serpent deceived me.” (NASB)  Indeed he did.  Paul says by inspiration in 1 Tim. 2:14, “And it was n…

• The Peace Found in Forgiveness of Others

  If you or I or any other were asked to compile a list of the ugliest traits of character that a person could have and that we run across in people I am sure that things like hatred, anger, bitterness, malice, and an unwillingness to forgive would all rank up there near the top of our list.  People who possess these traits are not pleasant to be around.  That is not to say they have no friends but only that the kind of person that takes up with t…

• The Wicked Shall be Turned into Hell

  nothing in common with the God of the Bible.  It makes me sick. Here is what God has to say about the matter.  “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination.  They shall surely be put to death.  Their blood shall be upon them.” (Lev. 20:13 NKJV)  A piece of paper with the authority of a man made government behind it is not going to make an abomination to God into a blessed relationship…

• Fear God

  I have often heard it said that a Christian should have no fear of God.  I have mixed feelings when I hear that for it is one of those truths that can easily lead to false conclusions unless the statement is clarified. John indeed says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”  (I John 4:18 NKJV)  It is true that every Christian can have fear …

• Weak, Defiled, and Seared Consciences

  The Bible speaks of the conscience of man describing it in several different ways as the state of the conscience varies from man to man and sometimes from time to time within the same man.  The conscience can be good, pure, and without offense but it can also be weak, defiled, evil, and even seared.  It is the negative traits of the conscience I wish to discuss in this article.  What is a weak conscience?  The first time one reads about a weak c…

• How Does One Get Into the Church Christ Built?

  Not a single denominational church was built by Christ for he built his church, one and only, in the first century hundreds of years before any denominations came into existence.  The New Testament scriptures after the gospels and Acts chapter 2 all refer to the church as a then existing institution.  Paul wrote to various churches in some of his epistles.  Jesus in the book of Revelation instructs John to write concerning the 7 churches of Asia…

• The Hardening of the Human Heart

  There are passages in the Bible that are frightening.  Heb. 3:12-13 is one such passage. “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘TODAY,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (NKJV)  This is a passage addressed to Christians but the idea that the heart can be hardened by sin is appl…

• Why Men Today Cannot Be Saved Like The Thief On The Cross?

  testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.” (Heb 9:16-17 NKJV) Jesus “has become a surety of a better covenant.” (Heb. 7:22 NKJV)  “In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one (the Law of Moses–DS) obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.&…

• Faith and Baptism in Paul’s Preaching

  How does a person become a Christian?  What does it take to make a person a Christian (a saved individual)?  Over the years there has been an enormous amount of debate over this very question.  It is a question that can only be resolved by seeing what the Holy Spirit inspired apostles preached, taught, and practiced as they went out into the world preaching the gospel.  In this article I want to take a look at the apostle Paul and what he taught…

• Bible Contradictions on Salvation?

  ld to go dip 7 times in the Jordan River.  This did not satisfy him.  He did not want water involved in his cleansing.  “But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, ‘Indeed, I said to myself, ‘He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’” (2 Kings 5:11 NKJV) Naaman wanted to be cleansed of his leprosy but wanted it d…

• Misunderstanding the Grace of God

  Sometime back I had an article rejected that I had submitted to an article directory, a site that says it is a Christian article directory.  It was a short article entitled “Receiving the Gospel” which, if you like, you can find on this site and read for yourself.  It was deemed to be unfit for a Christian article directory.  The editor of the directory made it clear to me in an e-mail that he believed man was saved by grace without …

• Singing and Playing in Christian Worship

  r singing in worship.  There is none for the use of instrumental music.  For that there is only a desperate grasping after the wind as though it could be caught in the hand.  It is a wild and reckless gamble.  When you can be sure you are worshipping God in a manner pleasing to him why would you gamble with anything else unless it is human pride and desire and that may be the greatest problem of all. Based on historical facts, on what we can be s…

• Instrumental Music in Christian Worship–Is it God’s Will?

  I am sure there are millions of people who call themselves Christians who have never given the subject of instrumental music in Christian worship a thought.  It is just taken for granted that it is a part of acceptable worship to God.  I suspect even most of us who were raised in a religious setting where instruments were never used in worship wondered about it at one point in time or another.  Was it really wrong to use them in worship and if s…

• Faith Comes by Hearing the Word of God–the Implications

  fect in purity and truth.  “The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold.” (Psalms 19:9-10 NKJV)  Faith based on word from God is faith put on a sure and solid foundation that cannot fail. But, some examples are needed to show the difference between faith based on God’s word and opinion that is mistaken for faith by so many.  I start with examples of things based on …

• What is it a Man Must Believe in Order to be Saved?

  ; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36 NKJV)  “He who believes in me (Jesus speaking–DS) has everlasting life.” (John 6:47 NKJV)  I am sure that anyone at all familiar with the Bible realizes many more passages along this line of teaching could be quoted but because I am relatively sure the reader knows that and agrees I want to talk a little bit about what…

• Christianity, Homosexuality, and Gay Marriage–What Do We Do With the Bible?

  ESV) When the Law of Moses came many years later God still had not changed his mind with regards to the sin of homosexuality.  “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.” (Lev. 20:13 ESV) Well, how about today?  Paul says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived:  neither the sexually imm…

• Jesus the Foundation of and the Builder of the Church

  ut let us compare 1 Peter 2:6 just quoted above with Isaiah 28:16 where God had said hundreds of years before Peter’s time, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily.” (NKJV)  The stone God laid was Christ, not Peter.  I am satisfied this Old Testament passage is the passage Peter had reference to in 1 Peter 2:6 when he said &#…

• Who Gets to Decide–God or the Church?

  s are forbidden to marry.  Yes, you can find that in the word of God–find it condemned in 1 Tim. 4:1-3 and the same can be said of the doctrine they had requiring  abstinence from the eating of meat on Fridays (I am not sure the later is still a law among them today but it has been in my lifetime). But, that is the way life is today not just among Catholics but denominational bodies as well.  Don’t worry about the revealed will of God…

• Paul’s Conversion (Justified by Faith)

  “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins.” (Acts 22:16 NKJV)  When that was done Paul had put away the old man and put on the new man (the Christian man) and the Holy Spirit was given. You say how can I be sure?  Ask yourself some questions.  What was keeping Jesus from filling Paul full of the Holy Spirit?  Since Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit directly from heaven (day of Pentecost and the apostles, Cornelius and his hou…

• Parable of the Tares–No Middle Ground

  deal of sorrow and sadness to know people I care about and realize that to them gospel obedience and faithfulness is no big deal.  What they are thinking (or how) I will never know, I guess, and that saddens me too?  I am not sure they know.  Do they think the Bible is a fairy tale?  Do they believe you cannot trust God’s word?  Do they believe God exists or do they believe, as absurd as it sounds, that life somehow evolved from non-living …

• The Parable of the Talents–the Sin of Fear

  fact lose the funds that had been given him and then what could he do or say when his master returned?  He feared there would be severe punishment in store for him if such happened.  The safe thing to him seemed to be to make sure that he did not lose what had been given him.  I have no reason to doubt his honesty in making such a statement.  We have to remember as a parable this was a made up story to make a point and since in the story the man&…

• Pray For Others Lest You Sin

  Is it a sin to not pray for others?  When we think of sin I am sure a failure to pray for others does not come immediately to mind like say robbery, murder, adultery,  lying, and the list goes on of the more notorious sins.  Yet, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 12, verse 23, we read this statement from Samuel spoken to the children of Israel:  “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you….

• The Kingdom of God and the New Birth–A Matter of Timing

  f the Jordan River from his leprosy but until he had faith enough to go do as he was directed and dip 7 times in it he was not cleansed and never would have been.  Could God have cleansed him from the leprosy some other way?  Sure, had he chosen to do so.  The power was not inherit in the water but in believing God enough to do what God said to do.  And just so it is with baptism today.  When God said to do it that leaves one who wants to be save…

• Lessons for the Church from Isaiah (Chapter 1)

  (Prov. 28:9 NKJV) We all would do well to memorize Prov. 28:9 just quoted for that is our status with God when we become involved in sin and have not or will not repent of it.  I would like to have people pray for me as I am sure you would as well if you are a believer but that said I know the prayers of a certain class that might pray for me would all be for naught.  Is your life such that if you had a family member in need of prayer you could …

• What Does The Phrase “Born Of Water And The Spirit” Mean? (The New Birth)

  ght sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.” (NASU) (italics added by me for emphasis–DS) If this passage does not clarify what it means to be born of water and the Spirit I am not sure I know what it would take.  How are we cleansed, how are we born again, how are we saved?  By the washing of water (baptism–DS) with the word (the Spirit using the word as his tool to change our inner man). Thus t…

• Be Faithful to the Lord (The Conversion of Lydia)

  “And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us.” (Acts 16:15 NAS)  In Acts 16:13-15 we find the account of the conversion of Lydia in the city of Philippi.  This is a very interesting conversion account and one that men have debated as to what actually happened.  Yet, when one reads closely,…

• Is Holy Spirit Baptism The Baptism That Saves?

  In an article I wrote some time ago I had a gentleman of the Pentecostal persuasion respond seemingly upset with me over the issue of baptism as I was emphasizing the importance of water baptism which he was discounting as being nothing more than a picture of salvation (whatever that means).  Of course, his emphasis was on Holy Spirit baptism.  In any case since I said I would respond I will do so here thinking I might as well make an article ou…

• Cornelius’ Conversion–Final Thoughts

  The idea is in vogue in some quarters that Cornelius was saved when the Holy Spirit fell upon him (Acts 10:44) without any further action on his part.  One of the verses used to support this idea is 1 John 4:13, “By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” (NKJV)  So, it is said that settles it. I went to take a look at that verse and read it in context.  Now understand I believe the Sp…

• The Heart of Man from a Biblical Perspective

  rs?  I suspect those who have never doubted themselves are a tiny minority.  When we read passages in the Bible about men deceiving themselves like in Gal. 6:3 and James 1:26 it causes us all the more concern for the question becomes am I being honest with myself?  We obviously need to learn all we can about the human heart with the hope being that we can come to know ourselves better and improve our hearts.  Who is the real me?  Who am I?  What …

• The Prodigal Son–When He Came to Himself

  n the account we do not talk enough about–the phrase “when he came to himself” found in verse 17. This verse marks the point in the young man’s life where his eyes were opened to the extent he could now see clearly what before had been hidden from his eyes and as a result repentance entered his heart.  As the text says (NKJV), “he came to himself.” To me there is a teaching in that phrase that has generally been overlooked or at least not t…

• Saved by Faith or Saved by Holy Spirit Baptism–Which Is It?

  Is a man saved by faith or saved by Holy Spirit baptism?  I personally do not believe either but there are many advocates of one or the other.  (Yes, I believe faith is essential but just not that it is the final step to salvation.) There are a number of people in what is commonly called the Christian community who are thoroughly convinced that one is saved by Holy Spirit baptism.  I do not believe they are in the majority but they are out ther…

• Acceptable Prayer

  AS)  When we do that we will pray for others.  Read 2 Cor. 13:9, Phil. 1:9, Col. 1:9, and 2 Thess. 1:11.  Paul continually prayed for others and we are to imitate him. Did Paul think those prayers would make a difference?  He surely did for he asks others to pray for him.  Why do so if there is nothing to be gained by prayer?  He says, “Brethren, pray for us.” (1 Thess. 5:25 NAS)  Then in Rom. 15:30 we read, “strive together wit…

• The Grace of God in Baptism

  tions such as the English Standard Version and the New American Standard Version. It would also be good to read it from the New International Version. It is always good to read a passage from more than one translation to make sure you understand what it says. What does the passage teach? It teaches what it says. We are saved by God’s mercy and we are justified by his grace which is one and the same thing. To be saved is to be justified. But, let …

• Anger

  And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.” (NAS) We are all familiar with the passage in Ephesians 4:26, “BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” (NAS) [I am not sure why the NAS has the capitalization it does but I copied it as it had it.] Unless one wants to talk about babies dying in infancy there is no one who has ever lived a life without experiencing personal anger. I admit t…

• For By Grace You Have Been Saved Through Faith Alone

  nspiration of the Holy Spirit as well and also spoke in those books on the subject.  We forget the Psalmist said, “The entirety of your word is truth.” (Psalms 119:160) We pit Paul against himself in order to make sure that Eph. 2:8-9 (our perversion of it) remains on a pedestal above all other passages on the subject.  The passage in Eph. 2 teaches the truth on the subject of how man is saved when properly understood and not perverte…

• Unhappy With the Church of Christ?

  “Do you also want to go away?” (John 6:67 NKJV)  Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68 NKJV)  I feel much that way about the Lord’s church.  Sure there are problems but where does one go for it is the body of Christ of which he is the Savior?  Why would I step out of that body into a body created by man of which Christ is not the Savior?  Why would I do that?  Wh…

• The Sin of Contempt (Verbal Abuse)

  s it apply to you and me today.  The Greek word translated “supreme court” is literally “the Sanhedrin” (see the side margin note in the NAS).  This was the Jewish high court then in existence and I am sure neither you nor I are concerned about a court that has long since passed from the face of the earth.  Besides we are not Jewish nor do we live under the Law of Moses.  Nevertheless, there is a warning in this teaching t…

• God’s Plea–On Christ’s Behalf be Reconciled to God

  ve rejoiced in tears to have seen her son at her bedside, just one time, as she passed from this world into the next.  However, that was not to be. When I came to know the mother and dad they were devout church members.  I am sure faith in God is all that allowed them to live all those many years from middle age on into old age.  The one who suffers the least in these family breakups is the alienated.  They feel justified, maybe a sense of gettin…

• Why Men Do Not Believe

  truth is not dependent on my feelings about it. I may well be totally opposed to the truth in all good conscience but that will not make my error into truth nor will it turn the truth into error.  Jacob believed a lie and was sure Joseph was dead.  His feelings did not make the error truth.  Trust your feelings and you risk your eternal life.  Trust what God’s word says and not your feelings about it.  Trust and obey for that is the way. Ye…

• Did Christ Rise From the Dead or is Faith Folly?

  be worse than the first.’  Pilate said to them, ‘You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.’  So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.’” (Matt. 27:63-66 NKJV) I am sure you remember the story of the cover up after the resurrection how some of the guard went into the city and reported to the chief priests those things that had happened and then were given a sum of money to tell the lie …

• The Need to Sing in Worship

  I am not sure I ever heard a sermon on just singing.  Often I have heard it discussed in a second hand sort of way when the subject of instrumental music is under discussion but I don’t think I ever heard a sermon on just singing. Almost without fail no matter how small a congregation gets you will find some brethren not singing.  If it was just a matter of having a bad cold, a sore throat, or something along those lines there would be no …

• Praying to God to Bless the Bread–Really?

  two ways, either by word or by deed.  Most commentators agree with Barnes’ remarks who says, “The word ‘bless’ here means to ‘speak well of’ or ‘speak well to.’”  I am not sure I would want to limit it to that alone but I am just passing on this famous commentator’s remarks.  (Barnes’ comments are on the parallel passage–Matt. 5:44.) This only leaves 4 other times the King Ja…

• The Lord’s Supper as a Part of a Larger Meal–Right or Wrong?

  ot need God’s authority and that takes boldness I don’t have and I am glad I do not have. When I say I know as well as God knows what is and is not acceptable I am bold okay but I fear I might also be reckless. I want to make sure I am being understood as to what I am and am not saying. I am not saying that first century Christians observed the Lord’s Supper in all its particulars like we do today. I am satisfied they did not have tiny communion …

• How Was Noah Saved Through Water?

  nk is really saved by grace?  Is it the man who hears and believes and obeys or is it the man who hears and disbelieves and does not obey?  Who truly has “the answer of a good conscience toward God”? (1 Peter 3:21 NKJV)  I am sure Noah’s conscience was clear as he obeyed God and did all he was told and that out of faith.  How does a man have “a good conscience toward God” all the while being disobedient?  Will he say I didn’t know?  Will he say I…

• Christ the Savior of the Body but Which One–the Matter of Timing?

  rior to your denomination.  It was built in addition to God’s church. If your church (I am using the words “you” and “your” in a generic sense) is not the church Jesus built then how can it be a friend to Christ’s church?  It surely is in competition with Christ’s church.  If it taught the same thing Christ’s church taught, was the same in organization, work, worship, the same in every respect then it would be his church and not a denomination an…

• He Feared

  all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”  The old KJV and the ASV use the word “fearful” rather than the word “cowardly.”  If fear is a sin then surely there is a way to overcome it lest we all be condemned.  More about that later. The second instance of Peter’s faith failing him because of fear was when the Lord was arrested and Peter followed after him into the cou…

• Ashamed of Jesus and His Words

  g goes there are two things you do not talk about lest you get into a fight–religion and politics.  However, man said that not God.  Jesus never held his peace and he was continually involved in verbal fights. Yes, I am sure there is a time and a place for such discussions of Christ.  But here is the problem–we never find the right time nor place do we?  It is like the right time and place never arises with us.  It is out there somewh…

• Ghost Hunting and Consulting the Dead

  eals with whether or not these types of shows are suitable for viewing.  Not everything on TV is fit to watch or merely simple innocent entertainment.  With Pay Per View one can have access to even XXX rated videos which I am sure all Christians would agree is sinful to view.  Even without Pay Per View many of the movie channels are guilty of much the same kind of programming. Then there are some of the cartoon animation type programs where all k…

• The Book of Ecclesiastes

  g is rejoice today, not tomorrow.  Did you labor today?  If you did rejoice in your labor.  You did accomplish something in so doing.  Count God’s blessings and be happy here and now, happy and thankful. We need to make sure we understand that Solomon is not telling us we should not set goals and work toward them.  But we set goals as a man or woman of God who understands what the true values are and are not obsessed with reaching worldly g…

• The Sin of Being Unthankful and the Need for Thanksgiving

  he other man?  Do we not sometimes have a sense of entitlement instead of thanksgiving?  We can very easily is we are not careful. Movie stars, entertainers, politicians, and professional athletes (as well as many others I am sure) often leave the impression of entitlement.  I deserve what I have or the amount of money I make just because of who I am–a star.  I need not be thankful for after all it is me and I deserve it; it is owed me.  Pa…

• The Struggle to be a Spiritually Minded Man or Woman

  11;having the right kind of friends.  We ought to be as concerned as adults about who we choose as close friends. These are just some of the things that have come to mind as I have thought on this subject for some time.  I am sure you could probably add to this short list I have given in the last few paragraphs.  But I want to make a very important point in closing–actually the reason for writing the article itself.  It scares me to death t…

• A Heart Right With God (Test Your Heart)

  at good he knows and I do not need to know.  I need to know about Jesus, not about how pure you feel your heart is.  Tell me about Jesus, not your heart. If our heart is deceitful, if we can fool ourselves, how can we ever be sure our heart is what it needs to be?  There is only one answer:  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5 NKJV)  Well, what does that mean and how do you do it?  To trust …

• He Went Away Grieved

  in the eyes of the public.  In those days a man might seek Jesus to further his career not that he was really seeking after the bread of eternal life but seeking for the bread of this life.  Even today the politicians will be sure and hit the churches before a major election and most certainly not for spiritual enlightenment or uplifting. There was a man in the Bible we read about who came to Jesus for what appeared to be the right motive, a spir…

• Faith, Manna, and Grumbling Against God

  me about for God cannot lie (Titus 1:2) and he has the power to do all things (see Gen. 18:14, Jer. 32:27 NKJV).  The promise, however, was not unconditional.  They had to trust and obey neither of which they did.  They had a sure thing going but blew it through no one’s fault but their own.  I stop here just long enough to say there is a lesson in that for us if we will heed it. Were the children of Israel happy in Egypt?  The Bible says, …

• Mt. Sinai and the Day of Judgment

  (2 Cor. 5:11 NASB)  He does not want men to experience condemnation and knows there is a reason to fear such an end. Yes, I know perfect love casts out fear and the one who fears is not perfected in love (1 John 4:18).  I am sure Paul did not fear God as in trembling fear but the fear of the Lord is one of the things that keeps us from sin (Ex. 20:20) and keeps us walking in faithful obedience so that we can develop that perfect love which in ou…

• Denominationalism’s Sin Against Peter

  minority but I think I will just go with Peter’s misunderstanding and let the denominationalists go their own way.  If they are saving a seat for me this coming Sunday it will be free for someone else’s use.  I am sure they are nice enough people and people who mean well but at my age I cannot afford to go along with the crowd.  I want to go with Peter.  I’ll just take a chance that he knew what he was talking about and that God…

• I Can Do All Things Through Christ

  is thing (for if he is with me he will grant me power–strength to do it).  Faith believes his promise. This Greek word in Hebrews 11:1 translated into English by the word “assurance” (ESV, ASV, NAS) or the phrase “being sure” (NET) or words to that effect is used in 4 other places in the New Testament where in 3 out of the 4 instances it is translated by the English word “confidence” or words similar to it.  You will find those passages in …

• Jesus as the Bread of Life (John 6:48)

  Beginning in about John 6:27 Jesus begins a discussion with those with whom he is conversing that carries through most of the rest of the chapter about himself being the bread of life sent down from the Father (John 6:32-35) that man might eat of this bread and have eternal life.  There are many, many descriptive terms used in reference to Jesus in the Bible of which the bread of life is but one. In the book of John alone Jesus is described as t…

• The Church as the Family of God–Things Found in It

  The church in the New Testament is described under various appellations the best known perhaps being the family of God.  It is the designation that touches the heart with the greatest force.  We long to be part of a family, to have people that care about us and care how we are doing and who will help us willingly and gladly should we need it, people who do love us.  One of the saddest things one can experience in life, a gut wrenching experience…

• The Army of the Lord–the Church

  of the Lord.” (NKJV)  However, having said that, it is clear from many different New Testament passages that while the church is never called an army it is clearly described as an army in that each Christian is considered to be a soldier, outfitted with battle gear, a weapon, and engaged in warfare.  Since the church is made up of its individual members, each individual member to be a soldier, it follows that the church is the army of the Lord. …

• A Good and Pure Conscience

  ng in the matter of Bathsheba and her husband Uriah was wrong while he was doing it?  I think we all expect to see a forgiven Peter and David in heaven.  If they could be forgiven of such grave sins in violation of conscience surely we can be forgiven also of our sins in violation of conscience. The exact phrase “good conscience” is found 6 times in the New King James Version of the New Testament in Acts 23:1 (previously mentioned abo…

• Christianity and Multiculturalism

  How does Christianity relate to the concept of multiculturalism?  The answer to that depends in large part on one’s definition of multiculturalism and there are many definitions of it given as you see when you begin researching the topic.  For the purpose of this article I will define it as the idea that all cultures are of equal value, none to be judged as superior to another, that society should be oriented around groups versus a common …

• The Church Christ Built–Marks of Identification

  The church Christ built is worthless to man if it is impossible to find it (or establish it), if it only existed in ancient history, and cannot be known today.  Fortunately, like all things that exist, there are marks of identification that allow us to know his church from those made by man.  We are able to distinguish one thing from another in life because of characteristics that each possess that differ from another.   True, there may be many …

• Things People Do Not Know About the Church

  KJV) [Please note I said “the church” not denominations for it would have to be first proven that a denomination is the church.  Since they all deny they are the church and say you can be saved outside their denomination then surely they are right and their denomination is not the church for you cannot be saved outside Christ’s church.] (7)  God receives glory in the church.  “To him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, wor…

• Baptized For the Dead

  In 1 Cor. 15:29 Paul says, “Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?” (NKJV)  It is said by commentators that there is broad disagreement as to what is being referred to by the phrase “baptized for the dead.”  It is common to find in most commentaries an extended discussion of the verse with much more space being devoted to it than there is to the average…

• Abel’s Sacrifice by Faith versus Cain’s Sacrifice

  saying that Cain’s sacrifice was “by faith?”  Could it be because it was not?  Could it be because Cain had personal doubts about it himself?  Why was it that Cain did not sacrifice “by faith?”  Surely, if Abel was able to sacrifice “by faith” Cain should have been able to do likewise.  Had Cain made a sacrifice “by faith” would God have been displeased? The Bible says God “did not resp…

• Faith is Not Just What You Believe

  Sometimes I think faith is about the only subject everyone is an expert on but faith is a complex subject involving far more than just the mind and its thoughts and is a subject that needs continual study to mine all its depths. Faith is not just thought but action.  It is a driving force, an inward power that drives man to act and do, to sacrifice, to seek, to suffer, to endure, to commit, and drive on when there appears to be no longer reason …

• Christian Circumcision

  Most everyone is aware that in Old Testament times beginning with Abraham God required that the males among whom he was in covenant relationship be circumcised or else be cut off (excluded) from among his people.  We first read about this commandment when God made a covenant with Abraham in Gen. 17 (read especially verses 10 through 14).  It was a fleshly circumcision (v. 11), it was to “be a sign of the covenant between me and you” …

• Christian Wars–A Misnomer

  Christians, God’s children, have for years taken a beating by those who make the claim that Christians have been responsible in part, at least, for religious wars that killed tens of thousands of people during the Crusades and in Europe itself during the Middle Ages.  There never was any truth to it and never will be. Just because a Catholic claims to be a Christian does not make him one.  Just because a Protestant makes the claim to be a …

• The Mysterious Eloquent Evangelist

  There are a lot of mysterious characters mentioned in the Bible we would like to know a lot more about than we do with Apollos, the eloquent evangelist, ranking right up there near the top among such New Testament characters.  However, the fact that we know but little about him could be said equally of most of the apostles.  The thing that makes Apollos mysterious is what we do know about him. Here is what we know, Acts 18:24-28 (NAS), “No…

• Indifference – The Great Destroyer

  Indifference is one of the scariest words in the English language for it is a word whose companion is another word called failure. The word indifference refers to an attitude held by a man or woman indicating a lack of zeal or commitment or concern regarding whatever that person is indifferent toward. There are many things a person can be indifferent toward and it does not make the least bit of difference. For example, I am indifferent toward wh…

• The Silence of the Scriptures

  From a book entitled A Short History of Christianity by Stephen Tomkins I quote as follows:  “The basic difference between Zwingli and Luther was in their attitudes to the Bible.  Zwingli saw it as a precise blueprint for church life.  For Luther, what is not forbidden is permitted; for Zwingli, what is not permitted is forbidden.” (page 141)  Both Zwingli and Luther lived in the Age of Reformation often called the Protestant Reforma…

• Non-Offensive Christianity

  dd to our faith virtue and godliness in 2 Peter 1.  No doubt we would add humility (1 Peter 5:5), mercy and meekness (Col. 3:12), thankfulness (Col. 3:15), and truthfulness (Eph. 4:25) to our list and our list would still not be all inclusive of the good things to be found in Christian character at its best. It is hard to look back over this list and see anything that should offend anyone.  It is certainly not the Christian’s desire to offe…

• God’s Hardening of the Human Heart

  Does God ever harden people’s hearts?  No doubt about it.  Every Bible student is aware of God’s hardening the heart of Pharaoh back in the book of Exodus.  This was God’s plan before Moses arrived in Egypt.  “And the LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.”…

• Three Benefits of Being a Christian in This Life – Hope, Love, Peace

  One thing that is often overlooked is the value of being a Christian and living the Christian life in the here and now, not just for the benefit of the afterlife to come.  There is nothing as important as where you are going to live in eternity but there are enormous benefits to living the Christian life aside from those benefits to come when this life has ended.  I list but three of those benefits here. (1)  Hope When one takes hope away from a…

• Things God Cannot Do

  The Bible teaches there are things God cannot do.  Why not?  It is certainly not because he is wanting in power or knowledge but it is a matter of who he is, his nature or character.  We can understand that.  There are things you and I could do but our character would never allow it.  I thought it would be good to use an online Bible concordance for the New King James Version and type in the word “cannot” and see what came up.  I was…

• Whatcha Gonna Do When They Come For You?

  The title here is taken from part of the lyrics from the theme song for the TV show “Cops.”  It is a catchy tune but it raises a question we all have to deal with like it or not and most of us don’t like it.  The undertaker and his helpers are coming for us, no doubt about it, one of these days.  What are we gonna do? In life we confront things that are coming for us.  We see it coming and we do not like it but being rational p…

• The Washing of Water by the Word–Baptism and Salvation

  Baptism is essential to salvation but there are many non-believers.  I want to deal with one passage today that teaches this but which is seldom used because the word baptize is not found in the passage.  The phrase used is “washing of water” as found in Eph. 5:25-27. Eph. 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,…

• Bible Conversions

  In the book of Acts one finds the inspired apostles and evangelists going out into the world and preaching the gospel.  That statement in itself while true is misleading to a degree for if those who preached the gospel were inspired the preaching was in reality that of the Holy Spirit.  What was demanded of those being converted for salvation was being demanded not by Peter, Philip, or Paul but rather by the Holy Spirit himself. The conversion e…

• The Chastening of the Lord

  is grace, and the very idea that God would ever send upon us anything but that which is most pleasant is abhorrent to their way of thinking. There is no doubt that when one looks at the big picture that God only does what is best for us for our eternal welfare.  Loving parents are like that with their children.  All that they do in regard to their children is for the child’s welfare if they are the kind of parents they ought to be.  Does that me…

• One Church—A Thing Hard to Accept

  Many Americans can remember years ago when O. J. Simpson was arrested and put on trial for the murder of his ex-wife and Ron Goldman.  I remember a comment I heard on TV at the time that simply astounded me.  One lady that was being interviewed, for what reason I no longer recall, made the comment that if she had seen O. J. commit the murder with her owns eyes she would not believe it.  I guess her idea was that she could not trust herself, she …