The Most Famous Winemaker?
I once received a letter from a reader who made the claim that Jesus was “the most famous winemaker in history.” Really? In this post, we will examine this misguided claim. The respondent had in mind, no doubt, the incident in John 2:1-11 where Jesus turned water into wine. The belief that the wine Christ […]
Faith Means Work
Many have been taught that faith and works are antithetical to one another. They have been told faith alone saves. They have been taught that any kind of action upon the part of an individual for salvation reflects a lack of faith and, worse, the belief that one can earn his salvation. The Bible contradicts […]
The Organization of the New Testament Church #2
At the conclusion of Paul’s first journey, he and Barnabas (his fellow traveler and laborer) retraced their steps, visiting the churches they had begun and “appointed for them elders in every church” (Acts 14:23). The appointing of “elders in every church” was a universal practice in the first century church: there were elders in the […]
Faith Healing Failures
Four out of every five sick U.S. children who died after their parents put their trust in faith healing could probably have survived if medical treatment had been sought, according to a study published in the April 1998 issue of Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The report, which examined 172 child […]
Faith
“But without faith it is impossible to please him …” (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is the basis of everything we are and do as Christians. Paul commented about faith in Colossians 2:6-10, and it will be very profitable if we can plant a seed in your heart for your future study. The walk of faith is […]
A Stopped Clock
A stopped clock … If human reasoning could find so many “positive” lessons from a stopped clock, is it any wonder why many of our brethren can find justification for fellowshipping false teachers among Christians? Could we not justify almost any man who teaches falsehoods with similar reasoning as was offered for the stopped clock? […]
The Organization of the New Testament Church #1
When Paul and Barnabas were concluding their first preaching trip, they were preaching in Derbe (Acts 14:20-21). They had preached in Antioch of Pisidia, Iconimum, and Lystra and had experienced fierce opposition and persecution in all three cities (Paul was even stoned in Lystra, Acts 14:19). In Derbe they turned around and revisited the churches […]
“Thou Shalt Not Follow a Multitude to Do Evil”
These words are found in Exodus 23:2 — instructions from God through Moses to the children of Israel. It prohibited Israel from doing what they so often did because “the majority was doing it”. The majority is not always right and the Lord warned that it is few who will ultimately enter into life (Matthew […]
“Everything Happens For a Reason”
We often hear people use the expression “Everything happens for a reason.” This saying is the modern New Age version of the old religious saying “It’s God’s will.” Is this true? Is there a reason for everything? Does God’s will regulate everything? First, some events happen because the Lord has placed certain “natural” laws in […]
A Clear View of Him Who Is Invisible
When we live with full eyes and empty hearts, assurance runs low and conviction wears thin. It’s hard to hope from an empty heart. When we simply go with the flow of the world — walking and talking and acting and feeling by sight — there will always be plenty to keep our eyes full, […]