The Changing Denominations: Conclusion
These series of articles have not been about “denomination bashing.” This has been an attempt to examine the dangerous changes that are sweeping denominations. The reason we must examine these changes is that if we are not careful, the Lord’s church will be influenced by these changes and become just as corrupted as so many […]
Faces Surrounding Calvary: Barabbas
Barabbas is often overlooked around Calvary. He was the recipient of the greatest of fortunes and the grandest of opportunities. Barabbas was a known criminal (Matthew 27:16; Mark 15:7; John 18:40). No doubt, he was anticipating the time of his death. If he feared death, his fear was full as the rooster crowed that Friday […]
The Mission of the Church: What the Mission Is Not
Now that we have seen what the church is supposed to do, let us now see what the church is not. First, the mission of the church is not social. The church of the Lord is not a “social institution.” While the gospel will work social reform, it does so by reforming the individual’s manner […]
The Changing Denominations: A Change of Unity
The emphasis of the “community church” is now on reaching the people of the community as they are and where they are — and leaving them as they were and where they were even after they became members. Some “community churches” have taken this to the extreme by stating, “First and foremost, God loves you […]
Identifying the Church: The Proper Worship
Human beings are instinctively worshiping creatures (Psalm 42:1), and the fact of the matter is that men are going to worship something or someone. Unfortunately, it may be the sun, a cow, a golden idol or oneself. So in considering the identifying marks of the Lord’s church, we must examine what and how people must […]
What Shall I Do With Jesus?: Agrippa
Over the course of our study, the examples we consider are becoming more receptive to the gospel. In Acts 26, Paul stood before King Agrippa and preached the gospel to him. What makes his situation so noteworthy is that he was almost persuaded by Jesus. In Acts 26:28-29, the account says,“Then Agrippa said unto Paul, […]
The Changing Denominations: A Change of Worship
Ray Johnson, senior pastor at Bayside Covenant Church near Sacramento, California states that their members are attracted by “a new style of worship.” He said, “We want to be a church for people who don’t like church.” “Community churches” change their “worship style” to make it more attractive. Choreographed drama, contemporary instrumental music, and multimedia […]
The Mission of the Church: The Edifying of the Body
Ephesians 4:12 reveals the threefold work of the church: “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Paul uses “edifying” here in the sense of enlarging the borders of the kingdom by bringing others into it. It sets forth the primary work of […]
Identifying the Church: The Proper Organization
In identifying the Lord’s church, we have seen that its characteristics are quite simple. The same is true when we consider the church’s organization. The Lord’s church is overseen via elders (Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9) with deacons aiding in the physical work. There are no popes, archbishops, presidents, boards of […]
Faces Surrounding Calvary: The Roman Soldiers
We first see the Roman soldiers during the scourging of Jesus. As they looked at Jesus, they no doubt thought He was a crazy man. Their governor had said that He was innocent of any crime, the only possible crime being that He claimed to be the King of the Jews. As they looked at […]