Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 … Why is it that the Church is the first to suffer? The first place we tend to think of the suffering of the Church is from the outside, which is attested to from biblical and secular history, and can even be seen in our own day and time. But it … Continue reading The Suffering Church
Ecclesiology
God’s Chosen People
Read Romans 2:28-29 … Has it come up in conversation yet? Someone asking about Israel and their “chosen” status? It’s certainly not uncommon, especially in light of recent events and the teaching of premillennial dispensationalism. One does not have to look very far in the Scriptures to find passages that speak to the “chosen” status … Continue reading God’s Chosen People
Go and Tell Him
Read Matthew 18:15-17 … Perhaps one of the most difficult things to do is confront a brother or sister that has done something that causes problems for either another individual or the Church as a group. It’s not easy because confrontation is not really built into the Christian mindset. Our mindset is to love our … Continue reading Go and Tell Him
The Church is the Kingdom of God
Read Matthew 16:13-20 … Right off the bat, when reading the title to this article, one encounters a problem because the term “church,” although present in our translations of the Scriptures, is not present in the original language. In the original is the word ekklesia – a word which would better be translated as “assembly.” … Continue reading The Church is the Kingdom of God
Musical Instruments … Again
Read Ephesians 5:15-21… It seems to be the perennial question, persistent and recurrent, “Why not musical instruments (MI) in the worship of the Church.” It just never seems to stop. There have been numerous books, articles, papers, essays, and blogs written about the subject over the years, and likely more are waiting in the wings … Continue reading Musical Instruments … Again
It’s There in Black and White
Read Romans 12:9-21 … In the wake of the racial tensions in our country, four men collaborated on a small book that addressed 37 different questions that some in the Church are asking. It’s There in Black and White has as its contributing authors Glenn Colley, Ben Giselbach, Hiram Kemp, and Melvin L. Otey and … Continue reading It’s There in Black and White
The Body of Christ
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 … Recently a great question was raised on a social forum that presents a wonderful learning opportunity for every Christian. The question – “You know how sometimes when you are a member of a club but many of the supporters in your club aren’t people that you like, and you wonder … Continue reading The Body of Christ
As Often As
Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 … Often a question comes up about when an individual should take the Lord’s Supper. The typical, and likely the most traditional view, has been a weekly observance on Sundays during a worship period. Thru the years this typical timing has taken on new directions expanding by some to other days … Continue reading As Often As
How Many Christians?
Read John 17 … One supposes this could be turned into a joke – “How many Christians does it take to change a lightbulb?” Well, if you are Pentecostal, ten … one to change the bulb, nine to pray against the spirit of darkness. Roman Catholic? None, they use candles. Baptist? 15, one to change … Continue reading How Many Christians?
Church Discipline
Read 1 Corinthians 5 … Recently in a conversation with some Brothers online, the question was raised about the reasons the process of disfellowshipping does not seem to work, or at least hardly used, among contemporary congregations. For those unfamiliar with the practice, there are passages that point to removing members of the Church that … Continue reading Church Discipline
the odd weekend preacher 