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Rightly Divide The Word Of Truth

Have you ever noticed how prolific is the tendency to misinterpret God's word. If you watch very much religious programming on television, you will soon notice that some very basic scriptural truths are not being interpreted the same by everyone who clams to preach the Word of God. If you study the beliefs of the major denominations you will also see that there is not agreement as to the proper interpretation of essential scriptures dealing with salvation. How can this be if we serve the same God? How can this be if we read from the same Holy Scriptures?

Prayer

PRAYER! This is probably one of the two most important aspects of our daily walk as a Christian. The other, of course, is Bible Study. Prayer is the one way that we, as Christians, can commune with God on a daily basis. It is as important to our spiritual health as is water and air to our physical well-being. It is absolutely necessary that the Christian spend time in earnest prayer.

Why I Don't Speak In Tongues - Part I

The Pentecostal or Charismatic movement has as one of it central beliefs, that men and women speak in tongues today as they did in the New Testament. This "speaking in tongues" is a supposed manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the individual's life. As some of my charismatic friends tell me, it is evidence (or proof) that the individual has been baptized with the Holy Spirit. It is a supposed gift of the Spirit. The conclusion is, then, that the one who "speaks in tongues" is a true Christian, and all others are suspect!

Where Are The Dead?

Death is a subject that most people seem to avoid discussing. It would seem that people fear death because of the mystery that surrounds it. On the other hand, whenever someone claims to have had an out-of- body experience, people will listen intently about the story. Television shows about people who have supposedly died and come back to life with these out-of-body stories are very popular. People are looking for something to comfort them concerning the here-after. We know that the comfort lies in Christ. So, lets take a look at what the Scriptures have to say about the dead and where they are. Our comfort lies in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, for He said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." (John 11:25,26) This Scripture is not referring to eternal life in the physical state that we now exist. It is talking about eternal life in the spiritual since, in that our spirit shall live on for eternity with Christ if we obey the gospel. However, we shall receive a new body (See John 14:1-4 & II Corinthians 5:1-5).

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

One of the most important questions which needs to be answered today is the title of this article: "What Must I Do To Be Saved?" The answer to this question is important for those professing to be Christians and sinners alike. Why? Because the answer is given in the Bible and it is specific. The main thrust of our ministry is the admonition of those professing to follow Christ to be "Doers of the Word," or as the NIV renders it "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22) Allow me to paraphrase this another way: "Do not listen to what men teach, and let them deceive you. Do what the word says."

Where Are The Christians?

This article was written in 1993. At my home congregation, we recently viewed the video series called "Children At Risk" by Dr. James Dobson and Gary L. Bauer. There is a companion book by the same title which is available at local Christian book stores. The subtitle is "The Battle for the Hearts and Minds of Our Kids." I highly recommend this book and video series to anyone who has the same concerns for our nation as I do. As I set there and listened to Dr. Dobson and Mr. Bauer talk about the excesses which are so prevalent in our nation today, I kept asking myself, "Where are the Christians?"

Why I Don't Speak In Tongues - Part II

In part 1 of "Why I Don't Speak In Tongues" I discussed the purposes of tongues given in the New Testament. Speaking in tongues (or being able to speak a language in which one has not been trained) was given to the apostles and certain others in the New Testament to do two things: (1) to establish the authority of the person working the sign, and (2) to confirm the Word of the Lord. Signs were credentials from God showing that the person was speaking with His authority, and wonders were the effects on those hearing or being witnesses of the signs. (For a full explanation, see "Why I Don't Speak In Tongues, Part I.")

Why I Want To Go To Heaven

Why do you want to go to Heaven? Have you given it much thought? When I was younger, before I became a Christian, I can recall hearing several sermons about how terrible it was going to be in hell. I can still recall some twenty years later one particular sermon in which the preacher gave a very detailed picture of hell and the torment of those who will be there. I can still recall the way I felt as I heard that sermon - the fear that it brought to my mind. Another sermon that I can still recall was preached on the text that today is the day of salvation, that we should make a decision to follow Christ today - for some day it will be too late and we will be doomed to hell.

The Scarlet Cord

From Genesis 1:1 all the way through the Bible to the last verse of Revelation, there is a plan by which man can receive salvation and the promise of God for eternal life with Jesus Christ. This plan is like a scarlet cord which runs all the way through the Old and New Testaments. This plan is embodied in the life, ministry, and deity of Jesus Christ. In this article we shall examine this scarlet cord; the Christ of the Old and New Testament.

The Holy Trinity

Not too long ago, in an attempt to witness to several people via electronic mail through computer networks, I made a statement as to what constitutes my faith. As part of that statement, I said that I believe in the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. One of the people to whom I was trying to witness was of the Jewish faith and he rejected the concept of the Trinity.

The Wages Of Sin Is Death

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) This article is really about two ideas which Paul so beautifully brings together in this one verse: the wages of (or payment for) sin is death, but the forgiveness of that sin results in eternal life in Christ. Let's take a look at both contrasting ideas and see how they come together in this beautiful verse.

The Restoration Movement

Do you know what the Restoration Movement is? Do you consider yourself to be a part of this movement? Do you think that the movement is important to the church? Do you even care?

The Fruit of the Spirit

There are those who claim to be "Real Christians" because they claim to speak in tongues, heal people, or have some other supposed gift. Then there are those who put on the air of being a "Super Christian" because of their following; such as some of the television evangelists. But neither of these is what real Christianity - being a true follower of Christ and His teachings - is all about. The apostle Paul tells us in no uncertain terms how to identify a real Christian. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22-25) A true Christian is one who "walks in the Spirit" and has the fruit of the Spirit manifested in their lives.

The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ

There is quite a lot of misunderstanding, misinterpretation and false teaching concerning the Holy Spirit. Every Christian should have a clear understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit. After all, every Christian has the Holy Spirit dwelling within him or her. To go through the Christian life without understanding the Holy Spirit is indeed a shame if not a sin.

Seek First the Kingdom of God

In my life there has been much joy, pain, defeats, victories, and sin. Through all of this I have spent many years trying to be successful in my profession as well as a good father, husband, and member of a local congregation. I have been an officer in the church for many years and have tried to be effective in that capacity as well.

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