October 19, 2026

Hermeneutics (Part 5): The New Testament Pattern

Hermeneutics

As we have been discussing hermeneutics and how to interpret the Bible, much of our focus has been on what is or is not authorized. In this article, we will study what the Bible teaches about patterns. These patterns allow us to take several things that are authorized and put them together as a complete system, such as how the church is organized or what our worship should look like. God has always used patterns to instruct His people, and we will notice a couple of examples in the Old Testament. But the pattern we follow today is found in the New Testament.Continue Reading

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November 6, 2024

Revisiting Bible Authority

Pointing in Bible

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.

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May 15, 2024

Living for Christ

Man with Open Bible

“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

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December 21, 2023

Onward and Upward (12.21.23)

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Plain Bible Teaching Podcast

We’re nearing the end of the year, which has a lot of people looking for ways to improve their lives and make changes for the better. As Christians, we always need to be doing this – especially from a spiritual standpoint. When Paul wrote to the brethren in Philippi, he talked about pressing on toward the goal. What does that mean for us? We’re going to touch on some points in our episode today.Continue Reading

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March 13, 2019

Taking the Lord’s Supper Out of the Assembly

Communion Cup

Shortly before His death, Jesus instituted a memorial to help His disciples remember Him and the sacrifice He was about to make on the cross (Matthew 26:26-29). This memorial was later referred to as “the Lord’s Supper” (1 Corinthians 11:20).

In the first century, Christians “gathered together” to observe this memorial “on the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7). This memorial consisted of the bread which represented Jesus’ body and the cup (fruit of the vine) which represented His blood that was shed on the cross (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Paul also emphasized to the brethren in Corinth that when they would “come together to eat” (partake of the Lord’s Supper), they were to “wait for one another” (1 Corinthians 11:33).Continue Reading

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March 6, 2018

Retain the Standard (Season 9, Episode 7)

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Retain the Standard (Season 9, Episode 7)

In this season, we’re discussing some lessons from Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus.

“Hold fast the pattern of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13, NKJV). This was Paul’s instruction to a young evangelist. Like most other instructions we read in the New Testament, it is just as applicable to us today as it was to Timothy in the first century. But not all of these instructions are emphasized much today. It is not common to hear a denominational preacher talk about the New Testament pattern. There are some in the Lord’s church who do not like to talk about it much either.

In fact, if you emphasize the pattern, some will label you as a legalist or a Pharisee. But we know we must follow the pattern because that is what Paul told Timothy to do. So let us see what the Bible says about holding fast the pattern.

Article: Hold Fast the Pattern

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October 5, 2016

The Vanity of Our Efforts Without God

Home Construction

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep” (Psalm 127:1-2).

The psalm was written by Solomon – king of Israel and builder of the temple. He understood the need to rely upon God in building God’s house, in protecting the city, and in his labor.
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