authority Archives - Plain Bible Teaching

Andy Sochor December 24, 2025

Unacceptable Gifts for God

“I hate, I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; and I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:21-24).

These words from God may sound shocking to many people today. Why would God not accept worship that was being offered to Him?

The rebuke above was directed to the nation of Israel. The reason why God refused to accept their worship was because of their sin: “For I know your transgressions are many and your sins are great…” (Amos 5:12). Offering sacrifices to God did not excuse them of disregarding His law and doing things that were contrary to His will.

Other passages describe various kinds of gifts which were offered to God, but He did not accept them. In this article, we are going to consider some unacceptable gifts we may offer to God, lest we find ourselves guilty of offering something that He would “hate” or “reject.”Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: authority, giving, sacrifice

Andy Sochor July 23, 2025

Christ Is Better Than the World

“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:6-8).

In the verses above, Paul encouraged the brethren in Colossae to remain faithful to Christ, while also warning them of the danger of being taken captive. In essence, there were two paths before them – the way of Christ and the way of the world.

It is just as true today as it was then that the world uses various tactics to make its way seem appealing (philosophy, deception, traditions of men, and the elementary principles of the world). In the verses that follow, Paul explained why Christ is better than the world, so that they would remain faithful to Him.

Let us consider the five reasons Paul gave to explain why Christ is better than the world.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: authority, baptism, deity of Christ, forgiveness, Jesus, law

Andy Sochor April 23, 2025

Thoughts on Raising Money for a Church Building

It seems that most churches, at least in the United States, have a building in which to meet that has been bought or built by the church. Many other churches, particularly those outside of the United States, would like to build or otherwise acquire a place to meet but lack the financial means to do so. What should be done in such cases? How might churches raise money to build or purchase a meeting place that is in harmony with Biblical principles and instructions? Let us consider a few points.*Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: authority, church, collection

Andy Sochor March 27, 2025

Building the Church Building (03/27/25)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

This week we’re talking about church buildings. In the previous episode, we discussed the disappearance of kitchens from church buildings. But what about the building itself? What should a church building look like? What may it be used for? And how do we raise money to pay for it? We’re going to talk about all of this today.Continue Reading

Tagged With: authority, church, giving

Andy Sochor November 6, 2024

Revisiting Bible Authority

It is good and necessary to revisit certain topics from time to time. We do not want to “drift away” from what we have previously learned (Hebrews 2:1). Some topics are so foundational that they affect what we believe, teach, and practice – individually and collectively.

The topic of Bible authority is one of these foundational topics. It is a subject that has been covered multiple times here,* but I want us to take another look at it in this article, perhaps in a different way, to help reinforce the concept.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: authority, instrumental music, Lord's Supper, pattern

Andy Sochor May 15, 2024

Living for Christ

“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was an act of love. Before His death, He told His apostles, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). This love should produce a deep sense of gratitude in us. Yet, as Paul explained, it must do more than that. It should also motivate us to live our lives for Him.

But what does it mean to live for Christ? It is more than just a belief in Him or an appreciation for what He has done. Our belief and appreciation should affect our behavior. So let us learn what it means to live for Christ. To do this, we will consider a few passages that contain analogies and instructions that help explain this concept.Continue Reading

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: authority, church, love, obedience, pattern, sacrifice, standard