June 12, 2019

How to Determine If One Is a Christian

Paul Before Agrippa

When Paul was on trial before King Agrippa, he used the opportunity to preach the gospel (Acts 26:19-23). One of the apostle’s goals was to persuade the king to become a Christian. Agrippa recognized this because he stated, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28).

We are trying to do the same thing today that Paul was doing on that occasion – trying to persuade people to become a Christian. However, if we are going to persuade them to become a Christian, we need to know what a Christian is. Also, they need to understand what a Christian is before they can be persuaded to become one.

So how can we determine if one is a Christian? How can one determine if he/she is a Christian or not? We can consult the Scriptures to find an answer.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
June 5, 2019

“In the Lord I Take Refuge”

Mountain with Bird

“In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, ‘Flee as a bird to your mountain; for, behold, the wicked bend the bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string to shoot in darkness at the upright in heart” (Psalm 11:1-2).

Throughout his life, David faced numerous challenges, hardships, and trials. All of us will face difficulties in life, though the severity and duration will vary. Job succinctly described this reality: “Man, who is born of woman, is short-lived and full of turmoil” (Job 14:1).

However, in the passage above, David confidently declared that he was able to “take refuge” in the Lord. God was able to provide him with the security and hope that he desperately needed. The same is true for us – we must “take refuge” in the Lord. David wrote elsewhere, “O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” (Psalm 34:8).

Why was David confident that he could take refuge in the Lord? Why are we able to have the same confidence? The psalmist provided four reasons:Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , , ,
May 22, 2019

Remember Those Who Led You

Hebrews 13:7

“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).

People across the country are getting ready to celebrate Memorial Day – a day to remember those who died while serving in the armed forces. It is good for us to remember these individuals as their sacrifices have greatly contributed to our ability to lead a “tranquil and quiet life” (1 Timothy 2:2).

However, there are others who are worthy of our remembrance. The Scriptures teach that we should remember those who have led us in the faith. These will be the ones we will focus on in this article.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , ,
May 8, 2019

The Influence of Calvinism in Our Song Books

It Is Well With My Soul

Recently at the congregation where I preach, we concluded a study on the subject of Calvinism. We discussed the five major tenets of this false doctrine (often remembered by the TULIP acronym) – total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints – along with some other ideas that are connected to Calvinism.

Over the years, I have noticed that certain ideas that can be found in lyrics in our song books reflect an influence of Calvinism. When someone else made a comment to this effect during our study, I decided to put together an additional lesson at the end about the influence of Calvinism in our song books. That is how this article originated.

Note: The point of this is not necessarily to make a list of songs we cannot sing in worship. We can make some allowance for “poetic license.” However, we ought to be mindful of the influence of Calvinism that can be found in our song books. We teach one another through singing (Colossians 3:16) and we are to sing with understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15). Therefore, it is important to evaluate the songs that we sing to see if they convey the truth.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: ,
May 1, 2019

Good Things to Do When You’re Older

Old man by the water

In a previous article, we discussed some good things to do when one is young. We focused on what young people are to do in order to enjoy life while also pleasing the Lord.

What if we are not young anymore? What responsibilities do we have when we are older?

This is not just about what we are to do when we are “old” (however we want to define that) or at the end of our lives (though it would certainly include that). This is a wide age range, from around 30 years old and up – old enough to influence young adults until death. What does the Bible say about what is good to do when we are older? We will notice six things.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
April 17, 2019

Agabus and Paul

The Prophet Agabus

In the early days of the church, Agabus was one of several prophets in Jerusalem (Acts 11:27-28). Prophets played an important role in the beginning of the church. Paul listed prophets along with apostles as part of the foundation of the church (Ephesians 2:20). Apostles and prophets were given by God to equip the saints and build up the body (Ephesians 4:11-12). The role of the prophets was to reveal the secret things from God (cf. Amos 3:7; Revelation 10:7).

There are two prophecies of Agabus recorded in the book of Acts:Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: ,
April 10, 2019

Are You Perfect?

Perfect

[This article was written by Bill Reeves and has been reformatted for viewing online.]

1 Jn. 1:5-10, the controverted text (ver. 7) and context:

“And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin [conditionally, ver. 9!]. If we say that we have no sin [that is, deny the reality of sin as the Gnostics did], we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If [conditionality] we confess our sins [anytime they are committed], he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned [as the Gnostics did, and therefore would not confess their sins] we make him a liar [as they did], and his word is not in us [as it is not in them].”

The phrase “walking in the light” has been used by neo-Calvinistic brethren to assert that if one is “walking in the light” (as they define it), that God continually cleanses them of their sins even as they sin! The bottom line of the issue is the so-called “depraved nature” in man.

“Are you perfect?” is the question often stated by the proponents of this error in an effort to stop the mouths of their opponents. The question is totally invalid, until the terms are defined! Let them tell us what they mean by the word “perfect” in their question. They don’t do it! It is a scare tactic. The question is supposed to halt the one questioned, because no one wants to appear as if he never sins, nor could ever sin again in the future, that he is absolutely like God in sinlessness (although he actually is, when pardoned by God – he has no sins!).Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: , ,