What is True Religion?
The word “religion” is based on the Latin religare which means “to bind.” Religion’s purpose is to bind us back to God. However, what exactly is true religion? If you were to look in a dictionary you may get a response like this: (1) man’s expression of his acknowledgment of the divine; (2) a system […]
The Serpent in the Wilderness
In our recent Vacation Bible School, we discussed the account of Hezekiah when he destroyed the bronze serpent in 2 Kings 18:4. By tracing the entire account throughout the Bible, one gets a good idea of God’s dealings with His people. The original incident involving the serpent in the wilderness is recorded in Numbers 21:4-9. […]
Are You Married to Christ?
Boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, and then they marry. This has become an important part of everyone’s life. When two meet, they become attracted to each other and then they begin their relationship. It starts with the courtship. The boy tells the girl various things that might catch her attention and tries to […]
The Balm of Gilead
Jeremiah 8:22 says, “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?” Gilead is the name given to a ridge of mountains that extended from Lebanon southward to Palestine. These mountains gave their name to the whole district of the […]
Independence Day
Sunday is a very special for Americans. On that day, two hundred and forty-five years ago, our Declaration of Independence was signed. This marked our complete separation from Britain and our pledge to stand as a new country, which was ambitious and ready to take on the world. In celebration and commemoration of the Fourth […]
“Behold, I Will Do a New Thing”
I started thinking the other day about how unique and special this new year really is. It is the start not only of a new day but a new month and a new year. There is something special about things that are new; they are fresher, cleaner, brighter and shinier. They are not old, rusted, […]
“The Terror of the Lord”
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:11, “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” The word “persuade” means “to prevail upon or win over, bringing about a change of mind by the influence of reason or […]
Baptism
There are three different ways the word “baptism” is used in the New Testament. Two out of three of these are metaphorical. The first of these is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which took place on the day of Pentecost and again when Cornelius and his household believed. The second sense is its use […]
“If We Confess Our Sins”
Every so often, it is beneficial for us to look deeper into the text of the Bible. Although it is not necessary for one to be a student of the languages of the Bible in order to understand it, a cursory examination can instill within us a vividness and appreciation for the Holy Spirit-inspired words. […]
Compromises of the Plan of Salvation
“But they have not all obeyed the gospel” (Romans 10:16). Why have some not obeyed the gospel? Well, some have not obeyed because they have not been exposed to the truth (Romans 10:13-15). Others have been prejudiced against the truth or have received not the love of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). But others are […]