The Chicken, or the Egg?

One day my family and I were sitting at the dining room table eating lunch together. We were eating chicken, and I asked the question, “Which came first—the chicken, or the egg?” My son who was eight years old spoke up very quickly and said, “The egg!” Wondering why he seemed so confident in his answer, I asked, “Why do you say that?” He replied, “Because we had eggs for breakfast!”

I suppose I should have been more specific when I asked the question!… Read more

How Long Does it Take to Read the Bible?

It seems that Satan has done an excellent job convincing people that the Bible is too large and intimidating. Many never begin reading the Bible, because they are intimidated by its size. Is the Bible really an insurmountable obstacle which cannot be conquered? Do Christians today have enough time to devote to reading such a “large” book? If one were to compare time spent engaged in popular forms of entertainment versus the time it takes to read the Bible, what would he find?… Read more

Are We Wrong to Say They Are Wrong?

In today’s “politically correct” world, most people do not want to hear anyone saying that someone else’s beliefs are wrong. This is a controversial subject that is often avoided at all costs. Many  years ago, when Billy Graham was asked why he does not preach more on baptism, he said it was too controversial. In the days of Christ’s earthly ministry and the early days of the church, men did not avoid subjects that were “too controversial.” … Read more

Helping Homosexuals

Maybe you have seen something similar to this online:

If a homosexual were hurt…would I help him?  YES.

If a homosexual’s car broke down…would I help him? YES.

If a homosexual got lost while traveling…would I help him? YES.

If a homosexual were hungry…would I help him? YES.

If a homosexual were drowning…would I help him? YES.

If a homosexual asked me to conduct a “gay marriage ceremony”…would I help him?  NO.

“Hate” has never been the issue.… Read more

Secondhand Religion

I wonder how many people rely on the “faith of their fathers” to hopefully get them to Heaven, without ever really seeking the Truth on their own. So many are reared under so many different beliefs. These opposing religions cannot all be right, yet how many truly objectively question what they have been taught their whole lives and honestly seek the Truth? (Proverbs 8:17; Acts 17:27; Hebrews 11:6). The sad fact is that most Dads and Moms in the world are wrong when it comes to matters of faith (Matthew 7:13-14).… Read more

15 Reasons Not to Use Mechanical Instruments in Worship

  1. Worship must be offered exactly the way God specified. It is not about what we may want, but what God wants (John 4:23, 24). Just ask Cain, Nadab, Abihu, Korah, Jeroboam, Uzziah, and many others who “learned this the hard way” in the Bible (Genesis 4:1-5; Leviticus 10:1-3; 1 Kings 12:26-33; 13:4; 2 Chronicles 26:16-23; Matthew 15:9; John 4:23, 24; Colossians 2:23, etc.).
  2. Mechanical instruments are not authorized in the New Testament for worship.  God specified singing as the type of music He desires in New Testament worship (Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13; cf.
Read more

Historical Quotes About Mechanical Instruments in Worship

“I have no objection to instruments of music in our worship, provided they are neither seen nor heard.”  — John Wesley, founder of Methodism, quoted in Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Vol. 4, p. 685.

“But were it even evident, which it is not, either from this or any other place in the sacred writings, that instruments of music were prescribed by divine authority under the law, could this be adduced with any semblance of reason, that they ought to be used in Christian worship?… Read more

How Were People Saved in the Book of Acts?

When those on the day of Pentecost realized they had slain the sinless, resurrected Son of God, they asked what they should do to be forgiven. Though most modern preachers would tell people to simply “accept Jesus as their personal Savior,” to “pray the sinner’s prayer,” or “ask Jesus to come into their hearts,” that is not what Peter instructed them to do:

“Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Read more

The Thief on the Cross: Exposing the Erroneous Example

When it comes to the question “What must I do to be saved?,” some people object to the Biblical teaching of the essentiality of baptism for salvation. Quite often the person who objects to this requirement of God will say, “What about the thief on the cross? He was not baptized…” Please notice the following points regarding the forgiven thief on the cross:

Can one be so sure that the thief was never baptized? Multitudes had come to John from all surrounding areas to be baptized of him: “Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan…” (Matthew 3:5, 6).… Read more

What Does This Mean? (Regarding Baptism)

Years ago a married couple responded to a door knocking campaign by expressing interest in a personal Bible study. My wife and I studied with them, and we eventually got to the subject of baptism. Upon reading various Scriptures, the woman with whom we were studying acknowledged that baptism was necessary for salvation, but her husband was in denial of this fact. After studying other pertinent Scriptures, we all read these words together:

Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Read more

Older, But Not Necessarily Wiser

As a general rule, heeding advice from those older than us is wise and recommended (Lev. 19:32; Deut. 32:7; Prov. 1:8; 4:1-4, etc.); however, there can be exceptions. Remember that it was the older prophet who led the younger prophet astray and to his death (1 Kings 13). It was the younger generation who had the faith and courage to take the promised land of Canaan (Num. 13, 14; Josh. 3). It was young David who had more wisdom and faith than his older brothers and King Saul (1 Sam.… Read more

Running from a Lion to a Bear

When Amos addressed Israel regarding the judgment of the Lord, he wrote, “Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord!  to what end is it for you?  the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light.  As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him. . .” (Amos 5:18, 19).  With these verses Amos was referring to inescapable judgment, but it can also be said that sometimes when people attempt to avoid something harmful they may often go to an extreme which can be just as harmful as the issue they were initially trying to avoid. … Read more

The Question of Praying to the Holy Spirit

Should Christians pray to the Holy Spirit? Considering the clarity with which the Scriptures teach men to pray exclusively to the Father, one may wonder why this question even needs asking. Sadly, some openly teach that Christians may address the Holy Spirit in prayer. What are the repercussions if Christians begin believing such a doctrine? In the future, will congregations all over the world be praying to the Holy Spirit in worship assemblies? This is a dangerous doctrine which needs to be answered.… Read more

Cutting Off Conversation

In the world of politics, there are many disagreements and controversial topics that can stir up emotions such as anger. Often it seems that when one side cannot defend their position logically, they resort to irrational behavior such as name calling, vulgarity, or even acts of violence. They refuse to have an intelligent conversation, perhaps because they know their position will not stand the test of scrutiny. They typically resort to ad hominem arguments that attack people personally (rather than logically addressing the positions people hold), or quite often they simply shut down all conversation.… Read more

Did Paul and James Contradict One Another?

Paul wrote, “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Romans 4:2-3). James wrote, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” (James 2:21). Both passages mention Abraham. Paul implied that Abraham was justified without works, and James said he was justified by works.… Read more