What Is a “Pastor”?
One of the most misused terms in the denominational world today is “pastor.” The word “pastor” occurs one time in the New Testament in Ephesians 4:11. The Greek word poimen, from which “pastor” is derived, is translated elsewhere as “shepherd.” The word means, “one who tends herds or flocks.” The word is used metaphorically in […]
Is Hell Real?
The atheist does not believe in hell, neither does the Hindu or Buddhist. This is to be expected. However, did you know that many who call themselves followers of Christ do not believe in hell either? Seventh-Day Adventists deny the Bible doctrine of hell, so do the “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” A few years ago even the […]
By Which Law Shall We Abide?
Man’s law and God’s law have conflicted through the ages. The whole of man’s law may not contradict God’s, but much of it has and does. Such things show the disrespect man has for God. When a conflict arose between the law of God and the law of man, Daniel did not hesitate to follow […]
Turmoil in the Episcopal Church
For several days papers have carried accounts of the battle in the Episcopal Church where efforts were made to elect a gay priest to be her Bishop. Division seems imminent for conservative churches among their ranks threatened to leave the denomination if confirmation was reached. Proceedings were momentarily halted when new charges surfaced against the […]
What One Tolerates, the Next Accepts
John Wesley once wrote, “What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace.” Both sacred and secular history have proven the truth of this assessment time and time again. Everything from dancing to drinking, from abortion to mercy-killing, has gone from toleration to acceptance. In the home and in the church, everything from immodesty to […]
“A Shadow of Things to Come”
“… Let no man, therefore, judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day, or a new moon, or a sabbath day; which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is Christ’s…” (Col. 2:16-17). Paul has shown the Colossians that the “bond written in ordinances” which was […]
There is One Spirit
While God is a Spirit, and both Father and Son are “God,” they both are “Spirit” (Jn.4:24; 1:1f). Still, there is only one “Holy Spirit.” The Spirit’s work is Paul’s object when he wrote: “There is one Spirit.” Jesus revealed the Spirit’s work in varying statements he made to the Apostles the night of His […]
There is One Lord
The word “Lord” means “master”…one who has the right to command. The entire Godhead has the right to command but has given all authority into the hands of Jesus. Thus we read “all authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). “God hath made him both Lord and Christ” (Acts […]
There is One God
In this the last of our articles on the “Seven Ones” we will examine Paul’s statement “There is one God” (Eph. 4:6). Repeatedly through the Scriptures, we are told that “The Lord our God is one”. In this list of “seven ones” Paul has said there is “one Spirit”; “one Lord” and “one God”. What […]
One Faith
The Bible speaks of “the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). It tells us to resist the devil “steadfast in the faith” (1 Pet. 5:9). Thus, we understand there are not many faiths, but one. Paul wrote, “There is…one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph. 4:4-5). This is contrary […]