How Long Will You Hesitate Between Two Opinions?

Fork in the Road

Just before Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, he issued a challenge to the people of Israel who had gathered to witness the event.

Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people did not answer him a word” (1 Kings 18:21).

The people were presented with a choice between two options – follow God or follow Baal. Similarly, we have choices to make about our personal conduct and religion. Many people like to think that they have a multitude of options from which to choose. But when you break down every decision, there are really just two options – follow God or not.
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Making Wise Investments (Part 3): The Pearl of Great Value

Making Wise Investments (Part 3): The Pearl of Great Value

In the previous lesson, we considered the value of the truth – the word of God – and why we should buy it and not sell it. In this lesson, we will consider something so valuable that Jesus talked about the wisdom in one selling everything that he owned in order to buy it. The thing which He said was so valuable was the kingdom.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46).

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“We Will Be Downright Christians”

James O’Kelly (1738-1826) was one of the early voices of restoration in this country. Though he may not have been baptized into Christ, he was able to influence a great number of people as he sought to distance himself from the Methodist church in an effort to simply be a Christian.
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He is Hated by All the Denominations

The following is a quote from J.D. Tant (1861-1941):

J.D. TantBrother W. M. McIntyre has done more preaching and baptizing than any other preacher in the county, and is hated by all the denominations, and is never called upon to help in their union meetings. This causes me to think he is a man of God, sound in the faith” (Published in Gospel Advocate, April 29, 1897; Quoted from J. D. Tant – Texas Preacher, p. 177-178).

Why would Tant say that one being “hated by all the denominations” was an indication of his being “sound in the faith”? Notice that he mentions Brother McIntyre doing two things: preaching and baptizing.
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Book Review: Eli’s Quest for Truth

Eli's Quest for Truth (cover)I recently read Eli’s Quest for Truth by Casey Head. It’s a little different than the type of books I typically review here, but I thought it was good and worth mentioning.

This is a fictional story of a Galilean shepherd, Eli, living just before the time of Jesus’ public ministry. Eli sees the different factions that exist among the Jewish people and sets out on a quest for truth, seeking to determine which sect was right so he can become part of it.

As the story progresses, we see Eli’s conversations and experiences as he learns about the Pharisees, Sadducess, Essenes, Herodians, Zealots, and Samaritans. Reading about them in a story like this helps to explain the differences between these groups that are mentioned in the Bible. Eli’s Quest for Truth really helps to shed some light on who these groups were and how they fit into the history recorded in the New Testament.
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Is Jesus the Only Way to Salvation?

One Way

A recent report has found that a minority of Presbyterians believe that “only followers of Jesus Christ can be saved.” Only 39% of members agree or strongly agree with that statement along with just 35% of pastors and 45% of elders.

Before you might jump to conclusions, understand that this was not a report done by a group that is biased against the Presbyterian church, making their findings unreliable. The article linked above cites the latest “Religious and Demographic Profile of Presbyterians” report and was released by the Presbyterian church itself.
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Number of Women Pastors has Doubled in a Decade

According to a recent study by the Barna Group, the percentage of U.S. Protestant women serving as senior pastors has doubled over the past decade. In the 1990’s, about 5% of Protestant senior pastors were women. In 2009, that number has risen to 10%. A large number of women pastors were associated with “mainline” churches as opposed to more “traditional” churches.

When we consider the topic of women serving in leadership roles in the church, there are a few basic points that need to be understood. This has nothing to do with whether or not women are capable of teaching or directing a group of people. The Barna Group study notes that women pastors are, on average, more educated than men in the same position. The fundamental question is this: What role has God given women in the church?
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