“If Thy Brother Shall Trespass …”
John Patrick said, “Pain makes a man think. The thought makes man wise. Wisdom makes life endurable.” God’s wisdom makes life not only endurable but also enjoyable. His wisdom extends even to the unpleasant areas of life. An example of this is found in Matthew 18:15-17: “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go […]
Speaking in Tongues
It will not be long until our Pentecostal friends come to Lufkin for their annual Bible camp. One of the key doctrines that Pentecostals believe is the ability to speak in tongues, which they refer to as “glossolalia” (from Greek glossa meaning “tongue or language” and lalia meaning “to talk”). They claim that these unintelligible […]
The Bible
“Every scripture inspired of God …” (2 Timothy 3:16). When Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, he urged him to abide in the things he had learned and been assured of because that from a child he had “known the sacred writings …” (2 Tim. 3:15). The word “writings” is qualified by the word […]
Can This Be the Christ?
The Samaritan woman, leaving her waterpot by the well, rushed to her village, urging the people, “Come, see a man who told me all things that ever I did. Can this be the Christ?” (Jn. 4:25). The invitation of this woman, with perhaps Jesus’ supernatural revelation of the woman’s past life, coupled also with the question, […]
Congregational Autonomy
A common thread in controversy is that anyone who preaches the truth from a different congregation to a congregation in error is violating local autonomy. These protestations are the common tactics of those who do not want their doctrines examined. However, the Bible shows that there is no violation of congregational autonomy when the truth […]
The Ancient Landmarks
Proverbs 22:28 says, “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have.” A landmark was a boundary by which lands, estates, and inheritances were marked, bounded and distinguished (Deuteronomy 19:14; 27:17; Proverbs 23:10). Ancient landmarks served to preserve integrity, equity, and truthfulness within Israel. Christ has built His kingdom and marked out its boundaries for […]
A Waterpot at Jacob’s Well
John 4:28 says, “So the woman left her waterpot, and went away into the city.” References to waterpots are found only in John’s gospel (cp. 2:6-10). Obviously the waterpots of John 2 were different from the waterpot this woman brought to the well. The waterpots of John 2 were of stone, making them very heavy. […]
Mormons Regret Massacre
Church Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve, the second tier of leadership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, voiced regret several years ago for the massacre of 120 California-bound pioneers moving through Utah on a wagon train, marking the 150th anniversary of the ambush. Patty Norris, president of […]
Making a Living, Not a Killing
It is not uncommon to see television’s most prominent evangelists decked out in designer suits and expensive jewelry. Behind the scenes, many live in million-dollar estates, drive luxury cars and stay in thousand-dollar hotel rooms when on the road. On the air, they plead for love offerings and promise a $2,000 pledge will bring a […]
Who Is a False Teacher?
The answer to the above question seems obvious. If one teaches falsely, that one would rightly be called a “false teacher.” However, some brethren have challenged this answer in recent years. More and more, in churches of Christ, there has been a “playing down” of the importance of purity and necessity of doctrine. Notwithstanding, the […]