The Iceberg Principle
As little as one-eighth of an iceberg is visible above the water. Most of the mass of an iceberg lies below the water’s surface. This is an important principle. On the negative side, people can hide a lot of wickedness from their family and church in their heart and actions through deception. Matthew 15:19-20 says, […]
Seek the Kingdom
Jesus forever settled where God’s church, the kingdom on earth, should come in one’s list of values: “Seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). But when and under what circumstances should we do this? Certainly, one is correct in saying, “All of the time and under all circumstances.” However, such an answer […]
“Standing at the Right Hand of God”
About 18 times in the New Testament different writers refer directly to this same expression from Psalm 110:1: “The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand until I make all thy enemies the footstool of thy feet”. Not all these quote the entirety of the Psalm, but sufficient enough of it […]
Can You Be a Barnabas?
The early church in Jerusalem was blessed by the presence of a wonderful disciple named Joses. He was such a faithful and helpful disciple that the apostles named him Barnabas, the son of encouragement (Acts 4:36). Though he was not one of the twelve apostles, Barnabas was a person who could encourage both leaders and […]
Can We Pray for Our Government?
We have received emails from a man who says it is wrong to pray for the government and its efforts in the current war on terrorism. His claim is that the governments of men are corrupt and unapproved by God. According to him, the only kingdom for which we can pray is the kingdom of […]
Can We Agree on This?
The Bible teaches believers in Christ are to be unified. Jesus prayed for it (Jn. 17:20-23). The Spirit commanded it (1 Cor. 1:10). The disciples practiced it (Acts 4:32). Some believe this is not possible today. However, the gospel was and is for all the world until the end of time; it is that by […]
Can the Church Do What the Individual Does?
Liberal-minded brethren believe that the church can do what the individual does. They say since an individual Christian can build and maintain an orphan home, so can the church. Some also say that the church can give to a college, just like the individual. Their belief is, there is essentially no difference between the church […]
Preaching Christ Without His Church?
Some mistakenly believe that Christ can be preached without preaching about His church. The problem lies in the fact that many believe that the church has become too offensive. Therefore, the idea is to preach Christ and not offend others with teaching about the one, true church. However, if one preaches Christ, one must ignore […]
Can a Christian Fall From Grace?
The Bible has several passages which teach that a child of God can fall away. Probably the most well-known is Hebrews 3:12-13: “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest […]
Calvin Answered
The religious thought of many have been influenced by John Calvin. He came up with the TULIP theory, which is accepted by most denominations. Let us examine this doctrine of man (Matt. 15:8-9). Total hereditary depravity: This first point says that man is born inherently depraved, that is, each person inherits Adam’s sin. Thus, it […]
