We are sorry that the desire to change the service was not first discussed with all the membership before any action was taken. We believe the entire congregation should have been informed that the elders were considering a contemporary service, thereby giving everyone a [...]
The concept of the five-fold ministry comes from Ephesians 4:11-13 which states, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, [...]
Ephesians 4:11-13 states, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built [...]
We assume from your inquiry that you are referring to Christian leaders who have either been falsely accused of crimes or who have been in violation of the laws of the land in which they were living that suppressed religious freedom. We know from [...]
The Scriptures answer, "One is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren" (Matthew 23:8). We should not follow man, nor manmade creeds or systems. God exercised the supervising care over His consecrated people. "Now hath God set the members, every one of [...]
Priestcraft, and not the teachings of our Lord and his apostles, is responsible for the division of the church into two classes called "clergy" and "laity." It is still the spirit of priestcraft that seeks to lord it over God's heritage in every way [...]
We believe that it is indicative of much that is important to the welfare of the entire race of mankind. Not that we anticipate that it will result in converting the race to Christianity, or "save the world for Jesus," but that it indicates [...]
The true footstep followers of the Lord Jesus are called to a "heavenly calling" (`Heb. 3:1`), to the "high calling of God" (`Phil. 3:13`.) They are running for the office of joint heirship with Christ Jesus in His Kingdom. The Apostle Paul was one [...]
It is true that we can worship the Lord at home, and unless we do worship the Lord at home, our church worship would be of little benefit. Worship is not a mere form but devotion of the heart. However, we are admonished of [...]
The "branches" do not represent the various different religious denominations of Christendom. At the time the parable was given, there were no denominations, and none were organized until several centuries afterward. Jesus never authorized the formation of these denominational systems, and furthermore, he has never recognized [...]
There is only one church from the scriptural standpoint - "the church of the first born which are written in heaven," the "church of the living God," and “the church of Christ” (Hebrews 12:23, 1 Timothy 3:15, Romans 16:16.) Jesus established this church and [...]
Mark's Gospel originally ended with Mark 16:9; the additional verses (10-20 inclusive) which includes the above quotation, are not found in the oldest manuscripts of the Bible. Scholars are agreed that the addition was made about 600 years after Mark's Gospel was written, and hence [...]
The Bible is generally conceded to be one of the most difficult books in all the earth to understand. The brightest minds of the world for centuries have differed as to its teachings. Whole libraries of books have been written by authors whose views [...]
The Bible was not written for the unbelieving, nor was it written so that the world presently could understand its teachings. In order to understand the Bible, we must come humbly before God and ask Him to open our hearts and understanding. Even Jesus's disciples questioned Jesus [...]
The study of the Scriptures, as with all other lines of investigation, must be conducted systematically, else confusion results. The Apostle Paul counsels us along this line saying, "Study to show thyself approved unto God (not unto men), rightly dividing the word of truth." [...]
The Apostle Peter starts 2 Peter 3 by using the term “beloved” (verse 1) to address his audience. In doing so, Peter indicates that he intends his words for those who, like himself, have dedicated, or consecrated, their lives to God. Continuing through verse [...]
