April 28, 2021

Modern Methods of Giving

Texting

[Note: The following article was included in the updated edition of my study, Now Concerning the Collection: A Study of Giving. I am posting it here for the benefit of others who may be considering different methods of giving that have been made available by our modern technology.]

I wrote the original study, Now Concerning the Collection, in 2006 after preaching a lesson (by request) on the topic of giving. At that time, the standard practice for churches to take up the collection – at least the congregations where I had attended – was to pass a basket down each pew into which those in attendance would place their contribution, either in the form of cash or check. This was the way we took up the collection.

Over the fourteen years since then, we have seen many changes that have taken place in our world – including changes in how we use money and make transactions. Many churches now offer online giving that allows someone to give using a credit or debit card online. Other churches offer the option of text giving (via text message) or a mobile giving app.Continue Reading

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May 3, 2016

Tradition in Worship (Season 2, Episode 2)

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Tradition in Worship (Season 2, Episode 2)

Many of the things we do in worship are a matter of tradition. Some may be surprised by that admission. They hear of “traditions” being condemned in the Bible and think that all traditions must be wrong. But the fact is, not all traditions are condemned by God in His word. In fact, some are even required. There are basically three types of traditions. In this episode, we will consider each to help us see what sort of traditions are right and which are wrong.

  1. Traditions passed down by the apostles
  2. How we customarily do a thing
  3. Traditions of men

Article: Tradition in Worship

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November 3, 2015

By What Authority?

Matthew 21:23

Matthew recorded an occasion in which the religious leaders questioned Jesus about the things He was doing. After Jesus rode into Jerusalem receiving praise from the people (Matthew 21:1-11), drove the money changers and those selling animals out of the temple (Matthew 21:12-13), healed the blind and the lame who came to Him (Matthew 21:14-15), and then performed a miracle that caused a fig tree to wither (Matthew 21:18-19), the chief priests and elders confronted Him.

“When He entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?’” (Matthew 21:23).

This was actually a very good question. It is one that we need to ask ourselves and ask of others regarding the things that are done in service to God. Yet many are not at all interested in this question. They simply want to do what they have always done, what seems right to them, what their preacher says, or what their family has always done in religion. But it is important that we appeal to the proper source of authority.
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July 1, 2008

Do We Have Authority for a Church Building?

This question about whether or not the New Testament contains authority for a church building often comes up when discussing other issues that relate to Bible authority. When one points out that things like instrumental music in worship, missionary societies, and “fellowship” halls are unauthorized, there is sometimes the response that we do not have authority for a church building, either; therefore, it is inconsistent to oppose the others.

Most of the time, those who argue that there is a lack of authority for church buildings do not believe they are wrong. They just believe that we do not need Bible authority for everything we do and are simply pointing out what they believe to be is inconsistency (or hypocrisy) in those who oppose things such as instrumental music.

We must not be too quick to take the question of a congregation owning a building and lump it together with various unauthorized practices. Just because someone likens church buildings to fellowship halls and then demands that you either accept both or reject both does not mean the two belong in the same class. Each one must stand up to the scrutiny of the Scriptures alone. In this article, we will consider the question: Are church buildings authorized?
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