Jesus "called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles." (Luke 6:13 NIV, italics added) The English word apostle comes from the Greek apostolos, meaning "one sent forth.” Jesus chose twelve who would carefully study his character, his teachings, his [...]
“The Church is the pillar and ground of the Truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15 The Church is spoken of as the Bride of Christ, in a formative or developing state, His espoused. Each one who makes a full consecration of himself to the Lord, trusting [...]
The symbol of a marriage is applied to the union between Christ and the body of overcoming believers. The Bible refers to these overcoming saints as the “bride, the "Church of the living God", the "Little Flock", " the First-fruits", "the Firstborn", " a [...]
The full number of the elect church could have been from the nation of Israel. (Exod. 19:5, 6), but Rom. 11:7 tells us that the nation failed in their faithfulness. “What then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The [...]
Yes - there is both free will and predestination. People have free will, and God has predestined a plan for all of mankind.Here are two scriptures that show man has free will or the ability to choose the direction he takes in his life. In Matthew 7:21 Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to Me, [...]
While submitting to brethren is scriptural, the Bible also tells us that first, we must submit to God. We look in His word for the things we are to do. I assume your pastor is looking at 1 Timothy 2:8 which says, "the women [...]
Class servants in the congregation/ecclesia today should have characteristics shared by our Old and New Testament examples. The church of the living God is being developed to promote God’s word.In Exodus 18, we read that Moses needed help in managing the affairs of Israel. [...]
If Jesus said his followers would do even greater things than him, how come we’re not doing them? John 14: 12-14: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than [...]
The gentiles are in a different position in regard to their relationship to God. than the Jews. The Jews, as a nation were in a covenant relationship to God. They were offered a covenant by God through Moses, the mediator when they had been [...]
Nowhere in the Bible does it state that God will no longer speak to His people today. In Old Testament times God often spoke audibly to those he chose to communicate with. When instructions needed to be given, laws delivered, and information conveyed, God [...]
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” Eph. 1:18. If you are truly looking to follow Jesus and serve God, [...]
First, it is necessary to state in the strongest words, that any criticisms of religious systems focuses only on the departure of that system’s belief and practice from Biblical principles. We are concerned with systems and their errors. Principle—always. People—never. There are saintly people [...]
The scriptures tell us about the qualities of both good and bad leaders. The best leaders are servants to others and examples of Christ-like behavior. Consider the following scriptures: Mat 23:10-12 "Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among [...]
The last evening that our Lord was with his disciples (the day we would term Thursday) was the opening night of the fourteenth of Nisan (first month of the Jewish calendar). This would be the last meal that our Lord would eat with his [...]
Pornography is designed to stimulate sexual feelings. Viewing pornography is part of a cycle of thinking, feeling, and acting which is used to distract and comfort people. When some men (or women) experience emotional pain like emptiness, stress, anxiety, loneliness, boredom, grief, depression, etc., they turn to pornography [...]
The questioner may have the following scriptures in mind when asking this question.1 Timothy 2:11-13 "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. [...]
Hurts and offences are never easy to deal with, and they become especially painful to us when they are directed (whether intentionally or not) at those we love. The fact that you and your family love going to church is a wonderful blessing! Each [...]
The great tribulation is mentioned in Revelation 7:19-14: "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.... 'These are [...]
Understanding the context of Matthew 22:14 is crucial to a proper explanation of this verse.In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus gives a parable of the kingdom of heaven, in which he weaves the concept of a “call” and selection of a spiritual family who will live and reign [...]
No! and it would be questionable if one should ever be allowed to return as a teacher. Romans and Galatians describe the seriousness of the sins you listed: Rom 13:12-14 … let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put [...]
