Articles

• What Form of GOVERNMENT Is Best?

    The righteous laws of human governments and corresponding enforcement of those laws are God-ordained for the purpose of punishing criminals, including the right to execute when appropriate (Romans 13:1-6). In other words, the LORD uses flawed human governments in general as an instrument to bring order to societies in this fallen world since they […]

• What Does It Mean to “TAKE UP YOUR CROSS DAILY”?

  Let’s read the passage in question:  22And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” 23Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be […]

• Should Pastors Schedule Other FIVEFOLD MINISTERS at Services?

  Pastors of local fellowships should make sure the flock under their care (1 Peter 5:1-4) is regularly exposed to the other fivefold offices, which are detailed in this passage: 11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of […]

• INTIMACY WITH GOD and Its Benefits

  At its heart, Christianity is about reconciliation with the Creator and therefore relationship with God. The word ‘intimacy’ is usually associated with sex, but what about intimacy with the LORD? Intimacy just means closeness or warm familiarity and there are different kinds of closeness. For instance, when a man hires a prostitute, they obviously have […]

• What Can We Learn From JOB’S “FRIENDS”?

  In the first two chapters of the book of Job we observe Job being hailed by God as a blameless, upright man with “no one on earth like him” (Job 1:8). Satan responds by arguing that Job was devout simply because God blessed him. In other words, he was “in it” solely for the blessings. Thus […]

• TEMPTATION, TRIALS and TESTS — What’s the Diff?

  Let’s define each… Temptation is due to the cravings of one’s flesh or sinful nature, which is the satanic nature (James 1:14). Trials are separate from temptations, although you can of course undergo a temptation during a trial. For instance, Christ experienced hunger during his 40-day fast in the desert and so his flesh no […]

• SPIRITUAL REBIRTH: Is Being “Born Again” Biblical?

  It amazes me when I come across believers, especially ministers, who play down or write-off spiritual regeneration as core to the Christian experience. Let’s start with the fact that the doctrine of baptisms is the third doctrine of Christianity, according to Hebrews 6:1-2, and the very first baptism that a believer experiences is spiritual baptism, […]

• What Is the Doctrine THE LAYING ON OF HANDS?

  The laying on of hands is the fourth basic doctrine of Christianity, as detailed here: 1Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2instructions about on baptisms, the laying on of hands, […]

• What is the “Better Resurrection” Noted in Hebrews 11:35?

    The Hall of Faith chapter of the Bible makes a statement that some have found puzzling: Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Hebrews 11:35 The contrast in this verse is between: Women […]

• How Often Should You Say “IN THE NAME OF JESUS” in Prayer?

  Christ taught that we are to pray to the heavenly Father in the famous prayer outline from Matthew 6:5-13. He likewise noted this principle in the gospel of John, adding that we are to pray in His name: In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father […]