April 1, 2007

Testing the Spirits

Man from behind

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

This warning from the apostle John is for us not to believe everyone who claims to be bringing a message from God. There are “many false prophets” – many who teach things that are wrong and lead to damnation. So we are to “test the spirits” and identify false teachers among us. It is important that we know how to identify such individuals.
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March 25, 2007

The True Word of God

Old Bible

The Bible makes the claim: “All Scripture is inspired by God” (2 Timothy 3:16). Since God is perfect, it would stand to reason that His word is perfect.

This is exactly what we find with the Bible. Despite the fact that it was written by about 40 different authors in three different languages over a period of 1,500 years, there is perfect harmony throughout – proof that the Bible is a product of divine origin, not from the mind of man.
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March 15, 2007

Of First Importance

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Paul told the Corinthians that he had and was presently preaching the gospel to them (1 Corinthians 15:1). The reason why it was important is because the gospel brings salvation (1 Corinthians 15:2). It is “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). In the preaching of the gospel, that which is “of first importance” is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
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March 5, 2007

The Lost Tomb of Jesus?

A documentary that aired recently on the Discovery Channel entitled “The Lost Tomb of Jesus” has caused quite a stir among many. In the film, it is claimed that the tomb of Jesus Christ has been discovered. While those who believe the Bible understand that Jesus ascended to heaven as His apostles looked on (Acts 1:9-11), it is good for us to learn how to answer the skeptic. Ethan Longhenry has written a good rebuttal to the claims made in the documentary which is posted on the Renewed in Spirit website. I encourage you to read his article.

“The Lost Tomb of Jesus”: A Review

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March 1, 2007

Local Church Autonomy

The Bible teaches that each local church is to be autonomous. That is, they are not answerable to another local church or council of churches. Elders are to shepherd the flock which is among them (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-2). No man or group of men has been given authority in the New Testament to rule or govern any other congregation(s).

Sometimes though, the Bible teaching of local church autonomy is misapplied or abused by brethren. Many believe that autonomy means we cannot be critical of what another congregation practices or teaches. When a concerned brother does speak out against error or apostasy in another local church, “autonomy” is the club used to attack this man. After all, to speak out against the error or apostasy in another congregation is to violate that church’s autonomy. Really?
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March 1, 2007

“Preach Christ, Not the Church”

Crosses

In the religious world, we have what seems to be a countless number of churches. All have their particular name, creed, organization, and practices. But when we turn to the pages of the New Testament, we read of the one true church. Jesus promised to build one church (Matthew 16:18). Jesus purchased one church (Acts 20:28). Jesus is the head of one church (Ephesians 1:22-23). The one true church is the universal body of the saved.

Whenever we read of churches (plural) in the New Testament, it refers to local churches. “All the churches of Christ greet you” (Romans 16:16). Paul wrote “to the churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2). The book of Revelation was addressed to the “seven churches” in Asia (Revelation 1:11). Notice these are all local churches, not confederations of local churches, or denominations (i.e. the Baptist church, Methodist church, Episcopal church, etc.).

Yet this teaching that there is but one true church is not popular. Most professed Christians believe that one church is as good as another. People are told to join the church of their choice. After all, they all believe in Christ, so they are all basically the same. This is the mentality of many. They do not want to condemn or be critical of any other church. They do not think we should do so either. So they tell us to preach Christ, not the church.
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March 1, 2007

Did Alexander Campbell Start the Church of Christ?

[This article was written by Justin Monts.]

Church of Christ 1710Alexander Campbell did not start the church of Christ. The church of Christ began in 30 AD on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38, 47). Campbell was born in 1788, long after the first century. Jesus Christ founded the church that bears his name. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, “I will build my church.” God gave him to be head over all things to the church which is his body (Ephesians 1:22-23). Further, the Hebrew writer tells us that Jesus is the minister of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected and not man (Hebrews 8:2). Since Jesus Christ erected his own church, Campbell could not have possibly started the church of Christ. The apostle Paul wrote in 58 AD, “The churches of Christ salute you” (Romans 16:16).
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