June 13, 2018

Two Philosophies

Two Men Talking

One person says, “Look at all of the people in all of the different churches. They all have different beliefs and practices. Surely they can’t all be wrong.”

Another person says, “Let’s look at the Bible because the Bible is right, even if I am wrong.”

The first person begins his reasoning with the beliefs and practices of men. The second person begins his reasoning by examining the Scriptures.

Which philosophy should we have? The following passages are helpful in answering that question:Continue Reading

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June 6, 2018

Rapture and Tribulation

Sunset Over City

“Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left” (Matthew 24:40-41).

The “rapture” is a popular doctrine among “Christian” denominations. The common doctrine of the “rapture” in the religious world is rooted in the theory of Premillennialism – the idea that we are awaiting the return of Christ in which He will come back to earth and establish His kingdom. However, we are not waiting for a future kingdom; Christ is reigning now (Acts 2:29-36). His kingdom (church) was established on the day of Pentecost (Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 47; Colossians 1:13).

There are different variations of the theory of Premillennialism and the “rapture.” We will discuss those in a moment. But all of them have the “rapture” occurring before the millennium. In other words, many “Christian” denominations believe and teach that Christians will be caught up sometime before the reign of Christ on earth.Continue Reading

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May 30, 2018

The Thoughts of God and Man

Man at Sunrise

When we discuss matters of religion or spirituality with others, we will find that many people base their views upon what they think. Even when we might present some clear passage of Scripture to show them a particular point, they will often respond by saying, “Well, I just think…” This is common among those in the world. Sadly, we often see this among brethren within the church as well.

The problem with basing our beliefs and practices on what we think is that we are not God. Even with the best of intentions, what we think does not justify us. This is the idea behind the following text:

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

“‘For as the rain and the snow comes down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it’” (Isaiah 55:8-11).

There is an important difference between God’s thoughts and our thoughts. We must learn to recognize and respect the difference.Continue Reading

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May 9, 2018

“In an Unworthy Manner”

Communion Cup

Shortly before His death, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper as a memorial of His sacrifice – the bread represented His body that was to be hung on the cross and the fruit of the vine represented His blood that would be shed (Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:17-20). After reminding the Corinthians about the basic instructions regarding the practice of the Lord’s Supper which he “received from the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), Paul warned them not to observe this memorial “in an unworthy manner.”

“Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly” (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

Paul indicated that Christians would be observing this memorial of “the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26); therefore, we still partake of the Lord’s Supper today. Because of this, we need to seriously consider the warning that Paul gave to the Corinthians lest we become guilty of eating and drinking “in an unworthy manner.”Continue Reading

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May 2, 2018

Justified by Works

James 2:24

One of the topics James discussed in his letter was the connection between faith and works. Many people have difficulty understanding this subject. The reason is not really that it is difficult; rather, they have simply been taught differently from what the Bible teaches. James used the example of Abraham to show how we can be justified by works.

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,’ and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:21-24).

This is an important passage for us to understand – both for putting it into practice and also to be able to explain it to others.Continue Reading

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April 18, 2018

“Come and See”

Philip and Nathanael

“Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ Nathanael said to him, ‘Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see’” (John 1:45-46).

In the first chapter of John, the apostle introduced his readers to Jesus. As this chapter unfolded, we read of others being introduced to Him as well. After Jesus called Philip (John 1:43), Philip told Nathanael that they had found the one who was the fulfillment of the prophecies contained in the Law and the Prophets. At first Nathanael was skeptical, so Philip offered a simple invitation: “Come and see.” Nathanael came and saw which led him to believe in Jesus (John 1:49).

In this article, we are going to consider this “come and see” type of invitation and how we might be able to use it to help reach others with the gospel.Continue Reading

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April 11, 2018

Why Would Christians Follow Diotrephes?

Leader

“I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church” (3 John 9-10).

In John’s third epistle, he warned about a man named Diotrephes. We often talk about this man and his desire for preeminence, his rule over the church, and the trouble he caused. However, we usually do not talk about his followers. In this article, we will consider the followers of Diotrephes and why they would follow him.Continue Reading

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