The Hebrew writer quoted from Jeremiah 31:31-34 to show the promise of the new covenant (Hebrews 8:8-12). Long before it came into effect, God planned for the new covenant to replace the old one that God had made with the Jews after leading them out of Egyptian bondage. There are a few characteristics of the new covenant listed in this text. I would like for us to consider one in this article.
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May 3, 2009
All Will Know Me
May 1, 2009
Offering an Invitation in the Assembly
Typically, at the end of a sermon, the gospel preacher will offer an invitation. I do it and I know many others who do as well. But why? Is there a reason for doing it, or is it just a long-held tradition that we mindlessly practice?
Before we consider this question, we should be sure we understand what we mean by an invitation (as it is commonly called). The invitation is two-fold. First, it is to invite non-Christians to come to Christ. Second, it is to admonish erring Christians to repent.
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May 1, 2009
The Grace-Unity Movement
The grace-unity movement has been one of the major controversies among brethren over the past twenty years or so. It is often called “unity in diversity” and it is the idea that we can continue to have unity despite our differences in matters that pertain to the faith because the grace of God saves us and covers our sins.
This movement has not just affected those in churches of Christ. It is all through the denominational world. We hear of multi-denominational programs, ministries, and worship services. We have community churches which are open to people from all denominations to come together, ignoring the things that could divide them. The differences and distinctions between the denominations do not mean all that much anymore. Members of one denomination are free to jump between churches without being out of place because these churches accept, tolerate, and endorse one another.
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May 1, 2009
Who Is My Brother?
“Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).
The brotherhood that Peter mentioned was a special group of people. We know this because it was distinguished from “all people” in the same verse. Because a distinction was made, it would be good for us to understand who our brethren are.
We often talk of those with whom we worship and those with whom we agree in religious matters as being brethren. We are generally careful not to use the term to refer to those in denominationalism. We also talk about brethren in institutionalism with whom we cannot have fellowship. Why? What is the Scriptural basis for making these distinctions?
When told to love his neighbor, the lawyer asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). We are told to “love the brotherhood.” We should ask a similar question: “Who is my brother?”
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April 28, 2009
Why People Quit Church
It is a sad thing to see Christians fall away and forsake the assembly of the saints. We often wonder why someone would leave. An article posted today on the Christian Courier website looks at some of the reasons.
Click here to read the article: Why People Quit Church
April 21, 2009
Context
In studying the Bible, we often stress the importance of understanding the context of a passage, and rightly so. If we take a passage out of context, we could walk away with an understanding that God never intended us to have.
I came across a good, brief article by Jered Smith in Ranger, TX that discusses what factors we must consider when studying the Bible so we understand what we read within its context. I would recommend checking it out.
Click on the link to read the article: Context
April 19, 2009
Impossible to Renew the Fallen
“For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame” (Hebrews 6:4-6).
These verses talk about something that is impossible – restoring a Christian who has fallen away. But what does this mean? Does it mean that if a Christian falls away, they are without hope because they are simply unable to come back to God?
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