I have four questions concerning the Holy Spirit. 1. Does the Holy Spirit have to enlighten and energize the word of God today to help us understand it? 2. Does the Holy Spirit take control of our hearts and minds today? 3. Does the Holy Spirit continue today? 4. Does the Holy Spirit lead and guide us in any other way than through the word or God today? Thanks, Marvin Towell No, the Holy Spirit does not have to “enlighten and energize the Word of God today to help us understand it.” I am not aware of Scripture passages that indicate that some further divine activity must occur upon the Word of God, but rather it is completely satisfactory as a revelation from God to address mankind’s every (especially spiritual) need (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). No, neither the Holy Spirit and nor any Divine Person “takes control of our hearts and minds.” Instead, each person with a mind that can reason or understand communication has personal responsibility for his or her conduct (2 Corinthians 5:10). “…And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). Yes, the Holy Spirit continues today. However, the role of the Holy Spirit continues providentially, but not miraculously (Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 13:8-12). The Holy Spirit is active with Jesus Christ on the spiritual side of conversion at baptism (Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 1 Corinthians 12:13). In addition, the Holy Spirit has completed His role of delivering new revelation from

I have a question from Exodus 7 & 8, concerning the rod turning into a serpent miracle, the water turning into blood plague, and the plague with the frogs. In each of these miracles, it is said that the magicians and sorcerers were able to do the same things. Can you please explain this?…Some preachers have said that these powers were authentic…When asking one preacher about 2 Thessalonians 2:9, he used the Exodus 7 & 8 miracles with the magicians to show that Satan does have some miraculous power, though it will still be deceitful and lead to a person’s ruin. The magicians of Exodus 7 and 8 may not have been using real miraculous powers since the word “enchantments” (7:11, 22; 8:7) includes in its definition the idea of “covert.” Albert Barnes commented: “The original expression implies a deceptive appearance, an illusion, a juggler’s trick, not an actual putting forth of magic power. Pharaoh may or may not have believed in a real transformation; but in either case he would naturally consider that if the portent performed by Aaron differed from that of the magicians, it was a difference of degree only, implying merely superiority in a common art.”The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary asserts that modern magicians can duplicate the feat of Jannes and Jambres (2 Timothy 3:8) with real snakes by soothing them into rod-like stiffness and then reviving them. However, the commentator, Adam Clarke, admits that the word “enchantments” refers to “deceptive miracles,” but he argues that the

Nearly 40 years ago, I remember a Gospel preacher who often told his conversion story one night of any Gospel meeting in which he preached. His personal account of how he became a Christian appealed to his audiences. In addition, one quality of telling about his translation into the kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13) was that he provided both knowledge about how to become a Christian and encouragement for others to do likewise. Sometimes, when I mention that I was reared as a Catholic, people ask me how I became a Christian. Recently, I received an email inquiry posing the same question. Though I have verbally conveyed the answer to this question from time to time, yet for convenience, for satisfaction of curiosity and for any encouragement possible to anyone contemplating obedience to the Gospel (Romans 16:26), it is time for me to commit “my conversion story” to the proverbial pen and paper. I was born a Catholic, and (according to Catholic doctrine) I will die a Catholic (though, obviously, not a very good one). My Catholic grandparents on my dad’s side of the family taught me to revere Almighty God. Nevertheless, I learned hypocrisy from them as well, and I learned disregard for Catholicism and religion generally from my parents. (Since then I have learned that hypocrisy alone is insufficient reason to turn from a religion, because Christians also can practice hypocrisy, which may drive away other Christians as well as non-Christians from the church of the Bible.) At

I have a question, and it’s weighing on me. Do all ordinances of men (laws concerning speed limits) have eternal ramifications when not followed in accordance to 1 Peter 2:13-14? I read a piece saying that one could go to hell for exceeding the speed limit, no matter how much he exceeded it. A number of New Testament passages harmonize and complement each other in teaching that Christians are obligated to abide by the laws of the land in which they live. Consider these: “Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:17-21). “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of

Lately, the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Christianity about which it teaches appeals mostly to those whose ethnicity and historical experience is not tied to a western, Judeo-Christian heritage. Whereas for the past one hundred and fifty years especially Christianity has blossomed in the United States of America, for instance, presently and for the past five decades, the greatest appeal of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of Christianity has been in India and some other Asian countries as well as various countries in Africa. Arguably, there are now more Christians in India and African nations than there are true Christians in the entire western world. The affect of materialistic prosperity has dulled and hijacked the appeal of the Gospel of Christ and of Christianity in America and other western nations. Yet, the appeal of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of Christianity is vibrant with unwavering conviction among distant peoples whose religious experience historically has been anything but Christian and whose economic prosperity continues to be an elusive yearning. What is the appeal of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of Christianity to the millions of non-Caucasians and non-Afro-Americans in distant mission fields who have warmly embraced the church of the Bible, in the neighborhood of billions of precious souls who will give the Gospel and Christianity a hearing? The answer to that question ought to be the solution to rekindling the fervor for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and genuine Christianity in the western world, including in the United

Dear Brother Rushmore, As we are Biblical Church, when we meet and greet one another, we are saying as “Good Morning or Good evening”. How did the first century Christian greet one another when they met? In the book of Mark 9:15 the people began running to greet Jesus. How did they greet Him? In Ephesians 5:1-4 Paul says here in the 4th verse “and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” To whom the Christian must say this thank? Whether to God or to one another? The word “Praise” is equal to the word “Thanks” in Tamil Bible. Tamil is one of the south-Indian languages. The word “Sthothiram” used for praise and thanks in Tamil language. When we meet one another and to greet one another we use the word “Sthothiram” i.e. praise or thanks. Is it right or Biblical? If it is wrong and what we must say when we greet one another? The Ephesian 5:4 says to thank. Is it right? Tell me please. But the words “Good Morning”, “Good afternoon” and “Good Evening” are not in the Bible. But we use them when we meet one another. We are not using the word as “I greet you brother” rather when we write letter we are using the word “I greet you”. So, I need your right and Biblical answer, what word we must use and greet one Christian to another Christian? Please write

Is it possible for one who is married but without children to be ordained as a deacon, and also if they … must how old should the children be? ~ Joshua Mukusha Two New Testament passages address deacons in the sense of official servants of the Lord’s church. “Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (Philippians 1:1). “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 3:8-13). It appears certain from 1 Timothy 3:12 that a deacon must be married and have children. “There is no article in the Greek, ‘ruling children’; implying that he regarded the having children to rule as a qualification” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary). “This implies that he must be a man of family. … He must be a father with obedient children.” (People’s New Testament). After all, the passage in which 1 Timothy 3:12 appears is

“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31 NKJV). The words “silver-haired head” come from a single Hebrew word that occurs 19 times in the Old Testament. It means, “old age,” and the Hebrew word is often translated “gray head” or “gray hairs.” Especially three verses in which this Hebrew word appears commend the elderly and offer worthy goals for all of us. “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:32). From this verse, we learn: (1) Respect for the elderly and God go hand-in-hand (Barnes); (2) God is honored in honoring the elderly (Keil and Delitzsch); (3) Respect for true wisdom on earth precedes respect for divine wisdom (Wycliffe); and (4) The society that does not respect the aged is headed for spiritual ruin (Coffman). “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31). From this verse, we learn: (1) Silver hair (i.e. gray, white) is a crown of glory for the aged – conditional upon righteousness (Wycliffe, Coffman); and (2) Not always, but unrighteousness often leads to a premature death, so righteousness often results in long life (Keil and Delitzsch). “The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head” (Proverbs 20:29). From this verse, we learn: (1) Older men do not and cannot rely

Tell me what you think of this. There is a woman who said she has been called to be a prophet. I don’t have a problem with that but she said this: “Prophecy is the most essential gift.” I totally disagree with that statement, but don’t quite know how to address it. Have you addressed this in one of your earlier Gazettes? If so, please direct me where to look. If not, please respond to my e-mail. I truly respect your opinion. Thanks and God bless! Maxine Collins Prophecy was inferior to love: “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2 NKJV). However, among the miraculous, spiritual gifts available to the Lord’s church in the first century, the apostle Paul ranked prophecy as primary: “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1-2). Howbeit, miraculous, spiritual gifts are no longer available since the time that biblical miracles ceased around the close of the first century A.D. The purpose of miracles is clearly stated in Mark 16:20: “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” Once the purpose of miracles was accomplished, confirming the New Testament as from God, miracles being provisional, were no longer needed. Both 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 and Ephesians 4:11-14 prophesied the

When someone speaks about false teaching or sin, do you think it wise to say things like: “This sin (or false teaching) is common among the [fill in the blank] race”? Do you believe that this makes an unnecessary generalization, and the sin and/or false teaching would be better refuted without linking it to a particular race, even if the statistics may show it more common with that race? Yes, of course, the answer to these questions is obvious. Generalizations are never universally true. I can see, though, how one might observe, for instance, that our black brethren have more instances of evangelistic oversight, or our white brethren have more instances of apostasy from New Testament principles; yet, either race or mankind in general irrespective of race, ethnicity, nationality, etc. may dabble with either. The apostles and Jewish brethren in Jerusalem gave tailored instruction to Gentile Christians in Antioch of Syria because of true generalizations respecting Gentiles and sins common to them would likely tempt Gentile Christians, too (Acts 15:20-32; 21:25). The Holy Spirit, according to this passage was behind the instruction, and the apostle Paul accompanied those who delivered the epistle and further expounded upon the same. Later, the apostle Paul referred to this episode and included himself as complicit in that instruction. The motive, of course, was good, and the instruction was intended for the welfare of fellow Christians. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor

There are several contributions to successful biblical interpretation. For successful biblical interpretation, one must examine the biblical context carefully: immediate context, remote context, total biblical context. Biblical context (the immediate passage, the book, the testament and the entire Bible) is crucial to correct biblical interpretation. Kin to the foregoing: “A passage of Scripture is to be understood in the light of all Scripture” (Kelcy 79). In addition, one must avoid in his biblical interpretation backdating present circumstances to the ancient, biblical past (i.e., we must avoid overlaying the past with the template of the present). An interpreter must realize that “Christianity began and took its initial shape in the context of first century Judaism. The writers of the New Testament lived and thought within the categories of Jewish tradition” (Chouinard 196). That is: “In order to understand what a passage means to men of today, one must first ascertain what it meant to those to whom it was first written” (Kelcy 80). “Only when one understands what a text meant in the First Century will he be able to understand with clarity what are its implications for the present” (Osburn qtd. in Flatt 68). One cannot overestimate the importance of familiarizing himself with the historical setting of biblical text. “Without a knowledge of Old Testament history, anything like a satisfactory understanding of the New Testament is impossible. The New builds on the Old…” (Le Moine Lewis 246). “It has become clear in the twentieth century that any interpretation of Scripture must

Many are the Christians who have purposely departed denominationalism for the one, true church of the Bible—and we refuse to go back into apostasy! However, aside from biblical interpretation, one could neither recognize the one true church of the Bible (the church for which Jesus Christ died to establish, Acts 20:28, and over which He is Head, Colossians 1:18) nor be aware of denominational or other world religion counterfeits. Fortunately, fundamental biblical interpretation is no more difficult than conversation (communication) between children. Yes, some aspects of the Word of God are more difficult to comprehend than some other passages (2 Peter 3:16), but the basic biblical instruction in the New Testament for salvation, Christian worship and Christian service are not complicated. In other words, God chose to use the mechanism of communication between humans (even between children) to communicate His will to mankind through the Bible. Consequently, Christians can know that they know that they are the children of God (1 John 2:3), because God’s Word is discernible and we can conform to it. (This conformity is not sinless perfection or earned salvation, but it is nonetheless obedience, which saves according to Hebrews 5:8-9, and which unleashes the grace [Ephesians 2:8] and mercy of God [Titus 3:5].) Some Christians, though, do return into the darkened world of sin (2 Peter 2:20-22). While some slip away unintentionally (1 Peter 2:25), others purposefully turn from Gospel truth (Romans 16:17-18; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 1 Peter 2:1) because they are offended at the truth (Matthew 11:6; 13:21). “Most

Biblical interpretation or hermeneutics is no more than meaningless academic gymnastics—unless there is definitive application. Without application, biblical interpretation amounts to no more than wasted hot air associated with senseless banter, misspent time reflecting on biblical hermeneutics and ruined office supplies corresponding to paper, ink and computer bytes devoted to nothingness. Biblical interpretation—what does it all mean? How can one demonstrate in a practical way that biblical hermeneutics is important? Well, one way to demonstrate the practical application of studying biblical interpretation is to consider the aspect of New Testament worship we call the Lord’s Supper. This is so because the New Testament definitely teaches that the Lord’s Supper is to be observed by Christians weekly on the first day of the week. However, that definitive teaching derives from an apostolically approved example, which in addition, people living outside of Troas in the first century or anyone living since then must recognize the divine implication and correctly infer. The command to the Corinthian church to give of its wealth weekly on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2) is similar to and comparable to the wording of Acts 20:7 respecting the worship on the first day of the week, during which the Lord’s Supper was observed; further, the stated purpose for the gathering on a weekly basis by the congregation in Troas was for observing the Lord’s Supper. The example of the day on which and the frequency of observing the Lord’s Supper is obligatory and permanently binding

Someone poses the question (and sub-questions) as to whom ought Christians to direct their worship. Namely, whereas prayers are to be to the Father through Jesus Christ, Who is our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5) and High Priest (Hebrews 8:3), ought the other four acts of Christian worship (singing, Lord’s Supper, giving and preaching) be directed to the Father only, or may they be addressed to Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit as well? In other words, “Can we sing directly to Jesus in songs?” “Can we thank Jesus also in the Lord’s Supper?” “Can we thank the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in our giving?” “Do all five acts of worship have to be directed to the Father only?” My personal inclination from instruction I received and my practice throughout the years would be: (1) Pray exclusively to the Heavenly Father through or in the name of or by the authority of Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:9; Romans 1:8; Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:17) and (2) Likewise, offer my worship to our Heavenly Father, with the added acknowledgement that (a) our singing edifies and instructs fellow Christians, too (Colossians 3:16), (b) preaching has as its primary function instruction and edification of fellow Christians (Romans 10:14; Ephesians 4:11-12) and (c) Christians commune with Jesus Christ in the observance of the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:29). However, for 1,500 years or so, the Christian world has debated with itself, for instance, whether prayers may be offered also to Jesus Christ (Grillmeier 184). Members of the churches of Christ variously conclude: (1)

How does God’s promise to Abraham in Gen 12:1-3 reveal God’s purpose? ~ Lavina Genesis 12:1-3 reads: “Now the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed’” (NKJV). God repeated this promise to Abraham again following Abraham’s willingness to obey God by offering Isaac as a burnt offering: “blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice” (Gen 22:17-18). This promise to Abraham was essentially repeated also to Isaac and Jacob, respectively, years later. To Isaac God said, “And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 26:4). To Jacob God said, “…the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the

Normal, everyday communication among humans, adults and children, includes implications from which participants in communication must deduce what is meant. (Communication includes direct statements or commands, approved examples and implication that demands warranted inference.) Definitive, reliable instruction can be ascertained (deduced) from implications. We humans do it every day in secular affairs, but sometimes we become spiritually incompetent if the communication turns to consideration of religious matters. Divine instruction is not cloaked in God-words and mechanisms of communication foreign to the ordinary ways people communicate and comprehend communication. One of the simplest explanations of how implication requires inference of truth is to consider a square, the one side of which is known to be 5 inches long. Just knowing the length of one side of a square, one can accurately and confidently know that the circumference of the square is 20 inches and that the area within the square is 25 square inches. Deducing the circumference and area of a square when the length of one side is known does not diminish the truthfulness of warranted conclusions respecting the circumference and area of a square. In other words, through implication and inference, absolute, objective truth can be known! Another excellent illustration of the validity of induction and deduction or implication and inference appears at the pen of brother Warren. To say that an action is authorized (by the Bible) explicitly, is to say that it is taught in just so many words… For example, the proposition, “John is taller than Charlie” teaches in

Orderly thinking is as essential to valid biblical interpretation as orderliness is necessary and observable in the created universe around us. True science depends upon orderliness of the created universe to arrive at tested and reliable laws of nature. Orderliness is logical, and through logical analysis of the orderly universe, knowledge can be discerned and accumulated. Logic is organized thinking, as opposed to unorganized thinking. Respecting carefully worded statements, “…there is no middle ground between a proposition being true and being false (non-true)” (Warren, “Logic” 21). “Every precisely stated proposition is either true or false” (Warren, “Logic” 44). Given definitive information, one can ascertain truth; Jesus and the apostle John affirmed that truth can be known (John 8:32). Of course, there is no more important truth and no more furthering reaching impact of truth than truth of divine origin—the Word of God—the Bible. The Word of God must be handled aright, however, before one can ascertain the meaning and application of even divine truth (2 Timothy 2:15). “To be rational, one must draw only such conclusions as are warranted by the evidence which he has” (Warren, “When” 4). Further, “[i]t is not pleasing to God for any man to draw conclusions (in regard to God’s will) for which he does not have adequate evidence” (Warren, “Logic” 91). The basis of the command in 1 John 4:1 to distinguish between truth and error is the fact that biblical doctrine cannot be both true and false at the same time, a principle of sound reasoning or simple

Every honest and right thinking person must acknowledge that a biblical hermeneutic is an absolute necessity, because without a valid hermeneutic there is no way to comprehend divine revelation. However, God gave divine revelation (the Bible) to communicate with mankind, and God intended for his revelation to be understood. There would be no reason for God to provide divine revelation unless both God was able to provide discernible communication, and God designed mankind with sufficient faculties to understand it (2 Timothy 2:15; John 8:32). The mechanism whereby divine revelation is the bridge between the mind of God and the mind of mankind is a valid, biblical hermeneutic. God created mankind with the mental capacity to understand his revelation. Deuteronomy 29:29 clearly teaches that God intends for mankind to assess properly divine revelation in a knowing way. There are some matters about which mankind may muse with an idle curiosity, which God has not revealed and mankind cannot know. Yet, other matters, which God has revealed within his divine revelation, God requires mankind to understand and implement. In order for that to occur, there must be a valid hermeneutic. These following, astute observations voice the same maxim in other words. “…all men, having been created by God with intelligent minds (able to recognize, to observe and to properly consider the evidence which God has given) are required by God to draw only such conclusions as are warranted by the evidence” (Pugh 121). “God reveals what man needs to know and is capable of knowing”

“Had rained down manna on them to eat, And given them of the bread of heaven. Men ate angels’ food; He sent them food to the full” (Psalm 78:24-25 NKJV). References to the occasion of God giving manna to the Israelites in the wilderness appear in Exodus 16:4-5, 14, 31; Numbers 11:7-9. Jesus Christ referred to this circumstance in John 6:31-35 and used it as an example comparable to the Father in heaven sending Him into the world; our Lord concluded this discourse with saying that He is Bread from heaven, meaning that Jesus Christ is the bread of (eternal) life. The manna sustained physical life in the wilderness wandering of the Israelites, and Jesus Christ is makes alive spiritually those otherwise wandering through this sinful world. Regarding manna being referred to as “angels’ food,” Barnes observes: “Food that came from heaven; food so directly and manifestly from heaven that it might be supposed to be the same kind that was eaten there, and that had now been sent down by a special miracle for man; food so delicate and so free from the ordinary coarse properties of food, that it might be supposed to be such as angels feed on” (emphasis added). “The manna is called ‘bread of angels’ …as being bread from heaven …the dwelling-place of angels” (Keil & Delitzsch). The association of the source of this manna being from heaven rather than suggesting any knowledge of angels resorting to nourishing themselves by eating something is meant; we have no information that angels necessarily eat anything for

The word “impotent” means, “not potent: lacking in power, strength, or vigor: helpless” (Merriam-Webster’s). There is nothing and no circumstance more sadly impotent than a defective biblical hermeneutic. This is so because failure to properly understand and correctly apply God’s Word to one’s life probably will affect one’s earthly pilgrimage adversely and definitely will affect one’s eternity adversely. Only a proper biblical hermeneutic can adequately order one’s life on earth and adequately prepare one for eternity. We cannot overstate the importance of ascertaining correctly the biblical hermeneutic, since we do not get another-go-around-in-another-life to do a better job next time handling aright the Holy Word of God (Hebrews 9:27). The impotence of a defective hermeneutic can be demonstrated in a number of ways. For instance, Christians who surrender the biblical hermeneutic, which includes apostolic or divinely approved example and warranted inference from divine implication, could not establish and operate the church of Christ, which they inherited from those who have gone before them. In addition, they could neither name it nor could they organize its worship. Such a one could not identify the church as belonging to Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18; Romans 16:16) without inferring or deducing that this information is applicable to Christians today. Such a one could not organize a scriptural, autonomous congregation with elders and deacons (Titus 1:5). Such a one could not discern the type of worship that God requires toward Him, or even when God expects Christians to worship Him (Acts 20:7; Ephesians 5:19; 1 Corinthians 14:15). Some Christians (including elders and preachers), who are on record verbally and

Greetings, How can I prove that the years of the earth is about 6000 years to 7000 years? Because the other members of the Lords Church believed in the dinosaurs. God bless, Brod Omar There are two ways to determine that the earth is much younger than the age that evolutionists assign to the earth. One way to date the earth is outside the Bible, appealing to true science, which definitively proves the earth to be not older than 10,000 years. There are several processes that are ongoing, some things increasing and some things decreasing, which prove that the earth cannot be older than 10,000 years. The following URL’s describe some of these processes: http://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/2002/jan/page5.htm http://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/2004/jun/page18.htm The following URL lists several articles that clearly and definitively speak to a young earth. http://www.apologeticspress.org/modules.php?name=Search&Terms=young+earth Secondly, the chronologies in the Book of Genesis (not merely genealogies) allow for the earth to be about 6,000 years old or so. The chronologies led different scholars to respectively conclude that the earth is 6,000 or perhaps up to 7,500 years old. Irrespectively of whether considering true science evidences respecting the age of the earth or considering the biblical chronologies respecting the age of the earth or considering both of these arguments, the earth is relatively young. The pseudo sciences (howbeit very popular) that date the earth millions to billions of years old are flawed because: (1) rather than due to laboratory observations and experiments that cannot be demonstrated under controlled circumstances, guesses or theories based on and prompted by preconceived conclusions substitute

What does the word “transfigure” means when pertaining to Jesus Christ?? Thank you very much. ~ Sonny The biblical account of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ appears in Matthew 17:1-5 and Mark 9:2-7. Luke 9:29 records about the same occurrence that “the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening” (NKJV). The Greek word translated “transfigured” means “transformed,” and so it is translated in Romans 12:2; in 2 Corinthians 3:18 the same Greek word appears as “changed.” These are the only instances of the Greek word behind “transfigure” that appear in the Bible. Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines the term as “to change into another form.” Barnes’ Notes says of the word for “transfigure” that: “It does not denote the change of the substance of a thing, but simply of its appearance. It puts on a new aspect.” Adam Clarke’s commentary adds: “That fullness of the Godhead, which dwelt bodily in Christ, now shone forth through the human nature…” The Gospel Advocate Commentary for the Book of Matthew, likewise, observes: “Jesus was ‘transfigured’ or appeared in his glorified state not veiled by human flesh.” Even more descriptive, James Burton Coffman in his commentary remarked: “The heavenly glory of Christ irradiated his face and clothing, demonstrating his eternal nature in a way to make the apostles who witnessed it absolutely certain that Christ was God in human form. The profound impression made by the event was permanent. Long afterward, John wrote, ‘We beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth’

I read your explaination on predestination. Below is my quick paraphrase of how I understand your teaching on this topic: False doctrines teach: Predestination is God choosing people arbitrarily that he wants to save. Biblical doctrine teaches: God saves ALL people who comply with God’s “conditions” for grace & mercy. These are general summaries to what I got from your website. My question on this topic is: If salvation is based on the Biblical doctrine as you described above, (salvation is extended to all those who “COMPLY” with God’s conditions (repentence, confession, baptism, obedience, etc.), then all the billions of people in remote areas of the world who never heard about God, the Bible, never have the OPPORTUNITY to “COMPLY” with God’s conditions, and therefore are doomed because they happend to live in Africa, or the Rain Forrest, etc. where KJV Christianity is not taught? In other words, if salvation is based on man “complying” with God’s conditions, then those who live in coutries where the word is never taught never hava a chance for salvation. We don’t choose our parents, or where we are born, or what country we will be born in, millons before internet, radio, etc… never had a shot at being saved based on “complying” to God’s conditions. Therefore, seeing you don’t choose what country you are born in, woulddn’t that mean that God DOES/DID arbitrarily decide who would hear the word and comply vs. those who would never hear God’s word and would die in their sins? First, that

Can you explain what is meant by “your seed” [in Genesis 3:15]? ~ Marvin Towell Notice the verse: “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel’” (Genesis 3:15 NKJV). All students of the Bible as far as I am aware acknowledge that this verse is the first biblical prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, though to discern that, knowledge of other Messianic prophecies is a must (e.g., Galatians 4:4). In the context of Genesis 3:15, Satan, who had appeared to Eve in the form of a snake, was addressed as well as was the woman addressed by God. The Seed of woman is a reference to Jesus Christ. However, the question remains, who is the seed of Satan, indicated by the words, “your seed”? The Presbyterian commentator, Albert Barnes, answered this question in a fine way. “The spiritual agent in the temptation of man cannot have literally any seed. But the seed of the serpent is that portion of the human family that continues to be his moral offspring, and follows the first transgression without repentance or refuge in the mercy of God.” Our Lord identified the seed of Satan as his spiritual offspring: “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do…” (John 8:44 NKJV). Likewise, the apostle John makes the correlation between unrighteous souls and they being the spiritual offspring of Satan: “He who

I have a question. Jesus is sometimes referred to as the Bridegroom. Question, who is the Bride? Book, Chapter and Verse or how do you arrive at your conclusion? ~ Ed Brown Jesus Christ referred to Himself as the “Bridegroom” (Matthew 9:15; 25:1). John the Baptist referred to Jesus Christ as the “Bridegroom” (John 3:29). We have more passages in the New Testament that refer to the bride than we have passages that refer to Jesus Christ as the Bridegroom. “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife’” (Revelation 21:9). The Lamb here refers to Jesus Christ. Who, then, would be the bride of the Lamb? Adam Clarke (Methodist) and Albert Barnes (Presbyterian) both conclude that the Lamb’s wife is the church. Brother John T. Hinds, who wrote the Gospel Advocate commentary on the Book of Revelation, concludes that the bride in Revelation 21:9 refers to the church. B.W. Johnson of the People’s New Testament, refers to the bride as the “glorified church,” and likewise does James Burton Coffman make the exact same reference in his commentary. There is no other conclusion to which I could come, and I am not aware of any other conclusion to which students of the Bible have come. The bride of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) is the church that belongs to Jesus Christ. Like a bride, the Lord’s church has readied

Hermeneutics pertains to interpretation, and no matter of interpretation could be more important than a correct interpretation of the divinely revealed and preserved revelation from God, namely—the Bible. The correct or valid mechanics or principles of biblical interpretation, then, are a necessary tool for comprehending the Word of God. Without proper hermeneutics and subsequent valid interpretation, how could one know (1) what blessings God reserves for his creation—man, (2) what prohibitions God expects mankind to respect, (3) how God desires to be worshipped, (4) how one can become a child of God, (5) how God expects mankind to manifest Christian living or (6) Christian service, etc.? Hence, faulty hermeneutics will result in faulty interpretation, and faulty interpretation of God’s Word will result in failing to comply with the will of God for us, thus missing the blessings that God intends for us. Fortunately, understanding biblical hermeneutics for the most part is not a terribly difficult task; essentially, there is little to no difference between biblical hermeneutics and the common, everyday hermeneutics that people, from small children to adults, exercise through the ordinary communication between humans. Hermeneutics and interpretation represent the core of all communication. The difficult part of especially biblical hermeneutics is hearkening to the Word of God when we humans do not prefer God’s instructions! Therefore, some Christians attempt to pare hermeneutics—cutting away approved examples and implication—leaving only direct statements as authoritative. However, the assertion that only commands or direct statements in the Bible constitute authority in religion today is erroneous

Dear Louis: I have read many and I mean many reason to not keep the seventh-day Sabbath, but yours has been the most interesting to date. If I could even begin to understand what you are saying and I read it three times I still do not know where and how you come to your conclusion. …It is a remnant that will keep the commandments of God. This is the New Testament message. Liane The Bible is filled with commandments of God, but understanding the appropriate application of the commandments of God depends on properly ascertaining to whom various commandments of God applied or apply. It is not rocket science to conclude (correctly) that not all commandments of God apply to all people for all time. Noah was commanded by God to build an ark or giant barge-like boat, but no one today believes that he or she must perform that commandment of God today. Why is that? God’s commandment to Noah to build the ark was just one of the commands God gave to various people under a general period of time (Patriarchy) preceding the institution of Judaism. However, once God instituted Judaism, beginning with the giving of the Ten Commandments, the Israelites were no longer bound by Patriarchy. Likewise, the commandments of God given to the Israelites (overall called Judaism), inclusive of the Ten Commandments, were superseded when Christianity was instituted. The commandments of God under Judaism were replaced with the commandments of God under Christianity (recorded in

Thank you for the column. My name is Tichapera Dondo a young man from Zimbabwe belonging to the churches of Christ in Zimbabwe…My question is that since we believe that Jesus Christ has died on the cross to take away our sins, does this not nullify the relevance of Judgement Day because the sacrifice for my sins has been made in advance. Or if Judgement Day holds valid then what exactly is the significance or benefit from Christ’s death. Please help me. I believe but I just need to understand. The purpose of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross and the application of the benefit of His death on the cross are not exactly the same thing. In other words, though Jesus Christ died to make it possible for the sins of each person to be forgiven, not every person takes advantage of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross to have his or her sins removed. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ provides universal opportunity (1 John 4:9-10) for the forgiveness of sins, but divine instruction requiring obedience results in conditional application of the benefit of Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 5:9). John 3:16 shows both that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ provides opportunity for the salvation of all souls, and that salvation is conditional on faith: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Mark 16:16 shows that faith and baptism (immersion) are required to receive salvation: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” Acts

Rev. 6:9 Are the martyred souls for Christ with Him now?~ Peggy Dobbins, Corinth, MS Frankly, I do not know if the martyred souls for Christ are with Him now. James Burton Coffman comments, “…to be sure, there is no actual altar in heaven; the thing being symbolized is that of the saints being, in some sense, in the presence of God, despite their having been slain on earth. Here is a powerful intimation of life after death.” Of this much we can be certain, based on what the Scriptures reveal. B.W. Johnson made the following observation respecting the symbolic meaning of Revelation 6:9, but not necessarily answering the question as to where are martyred souls now: “The brazen altar stood at the door of the tabernacle, and at the bottom of it all the blood of the offerings was poured (Lev 4:7). Their position probably points out that their own blood was poured out for Christ.” I suspect from Luke 16:19-31, that all departed spirits are in the Hadean (Luke 16:23) realm, generally speaking, and that within the Hadean realm, the righteous souls and the unrighteous souls are separated from each other. Each are receiving a foretaste of eternal heaven or eternal hell, and at the Final Judgment, each will be assigned to his eternal disposition in heaven or hell (Matthew 25:46). Not every Bible student, though, believes that departed souls remain in Hades awaiting Final Judgment, even if that were the case for a time, say preceding the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The answer to

I have been searching the bible and the web for specific cases of men in the bible who divorced, sent or put their wives away. I look forward to your response. ~ Gwen Smith Though the Bible records both events and instructions, there are fewer examples of specific instances of divorce, per your inquiry, than there are specific recorded instances of divorce. The Bible contains much instruction respecting marriage, divorce and remarriage; search for “marriage” or “divorce” in the Archive of Gospel Gazette Online (www.gospelgazette.com). However, one example of multiple divorces (because under Judaism these marriages were not permitted) occurs in Ezra 10.

Are the destroying angels of Psalm 78:49 evil spirits/demons? ~ Femi Temilola, Nigeria One commentary explains the meaning of “evil angels” in Psalm 78:49 (KJV) that they “are not wicked angels…but angels that bring misfortune” (Keil & Delitzsch). The context pertains to the plagues that God brought upon Egypt at the time of the Jewish Exodus, and the angelic servants of God who at the direction of God caused these plagues to occur. Barnes’ Notes expands upon this explanation with these excellent observations. There is reference here undoubtedly to the slaying of the first-born in Egypt. Ex 11:4-5; 12:29-30. This work is ascribed to the agency of a destroyer (Ex 12:23; compare Heb 11:28), and the allusion seems to be to a destroying angel, or to an angel employed and commissioned to accomplish such a work. Compare 2 Sam 24:16; 2 Kings 19:35. The idea here is not that the angel himself was evil or wicked, but that he was the messenger of evil or calamity; he was the instrument by which these afflictions were brought upon them. Works Cited Barnes’ Notes. CD-ROM. Seattle: Biblesoft, 1997. Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament. CD-ROM. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1996.

Are the cherubim and seraphim different heavenly beings apart from angels? ~ Femi Temilola, Nigeria Little is know about the cherubim and seraphim, but it is generally agreed that they are an order of angels, perhaps set apart in some greater qualities and duties. “Seraphim are in Jewish theology connected with cherubim and ophanim as the three highest orders of attendants on Yahweh, and are superior to the angels who are messengers sent on various errands” (International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia). Works Cited International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia. CD-ROM. Seattle: Biblesoft, 1996.

If one has an erroneous appreciation for the worth of the church about which one can read in the Bible, especially as it appears in the New Testament, he is ill-prepared to interpret the Bible successfully. Further, the assertion that it is a mistake to restore the first century church is a bold endorsement of anything else besides by the church for which Jesus Christ died to establish, over which He is the Head and for which He will return someday. In addition, it is a dodge and a case of dishonesty of supposing that Christians interested in restoring primitive Christianity are faced with the prospect of duplicating the numerous errors of the Corinthian church or any first century congregation about which the New Testament records spiritual deficiencies or sins. Contrariwise, the New Testament clearly teaches what the church should be, by noting the sinful imperfections of various congregations and Christians and contrasting what should be with what they sometimes did. Jesus Christ established his church as a perfect, divine institution. The church as established by Christ was perfect. Christ was its founder and it was purchased by his blood (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28). Christ was (and is) both the foundation and the head of the church (I Cor. 3:11; Eph. 1:22,23). The church is composed of people who have obeyed God’s perfect plan of salvation (Matt. 2819, 20; Acts 2:38, 47). It has a perfect system of worship, a perfect organization, and a perfect mission. All of these features of the church

A man in a congregation I attend believes that it is wrong to “pray for others” such as “my co-worker” [who] broke his arm at work…a neighbor [who] has cancer…a boy in school [who] broke his wrist, etc. …“without ever mentioning that fact that it might lead them to Christ.” …Is it right to pray for “non-Christians” problems without mentioning their spiritual welfare in any way? ~ Mark Phillips The scenario of prohibiting prayer for non-Christians, unless in addition to praying for one’s health and welfare one also prays such would lead to salvation, is suspiciously similar to misguided affirmations that the church is prohibited from extending benevolence to non-Christians. Neither the affirmation that Christians or the church may not pray for non-Christians without including in that prayer that prayer for health and welfare result in salvation nor affirmations that the church cannot extend benevolence to non-Christians can be substantiated by Scripture. Yet, the ultimate attitude of Christians (spoken or unspoken) toward non-Christians is (or ought to be) that their souls might be saved. “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1). However, though the overall purpose for Jesus’ earthly ministry was for the salvation of souls (Luke 19:10), our Lord acted favorably and benevolently toward persons, including Gentiles, where the biblical text does not record His proffering salvation to their souls (Matthew 15:22-28); the Gospel of Christ was not taught directly to non-Jews until about 10 years after the establishment of

Is there anything wrong with a preacher walking around the auditorium while speaking? Does it matter whether he does this when teaching a class or preaching? Thanks! ~ Steve Foster What would you think if the preacher sat down to teach or sat down to preach? Our Lord Jesus routinely sat down to teach or preach (Matthew 5:1; Luke 4:20; 5:3). Ezra stood on a pulpit of wood to proclaim the Word of God (Nehemiah 8:4); incidentally, the people stood also when the Word of God was read (Nehemiah 8:5). Customs respecting postures of either God’s preacher or the people to whom the Word of God may be preached varied, and God has not codified or made into a law within His Holy Word any particular posture for preacher or for those to whom the Word of God is preached. Consequently, neither should we make a law where God has not chosen to do so (1 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV). The role of a preacher, one discerns from the original language words and their English counterparts, has to do with the message. The Greek word, kerux, means “crier” or “herald” and is translated “preacher” (1 Timothy 2:7). The Greek word, kerusso, means “to cry or proclaim as a herald” and is translated “preacher” (Romans 10:14). The Greek word, euaggellizo, means “to announce good news” and is translated “gospel preached” (Matthew 11:15); euaggelistes means, “a preacher of the gospel” and is translated “evangelist” (Acts 21:8). As far as the circumstances under which the Gospel is taught and especially preached

The principle of 2 Timothy 2:15, “Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth” (ASV emphasis added), applies aptly to the categorization of Scripture a would-be-interpreter may make of the Word of God. If one adopts an improper attitude toward any portion of the Word of God, obviously his interpretation of biblical passages must be viewed with a degree of suspicion. This is so important because faulty hermeneutics (or biblical interpretation) conceal the authority of God’s Word and the subsequent application of it to mankind. Whereas one must properly distinguish between the two Bible testaments, likewise, one must handle aright especially the New Testament since all people now living are amenable to it. All divine instruction (e.g., salvation, worship, Christian living, Christian service, etc.) and promised blessings (e.g., eternity in heaven) that are applicable to mankind today can only be learned from properly interpreting the New Testament. For instance, the assertion that there is a distinction between the Gospel and doctrine, the former only being essential and pertaining to salvation, while the latter applying to Christians only and not pertaining to salvation, is a biblically unsubstantiated interpretation and false doctrine. Defining the Gospel of Christ to exclusively refer to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), and as it pertains to imitating it in baptism, distinguishing the Gospel (and salvation) from the balance of New Testament instruction is erroneous and false doctrine. The Gospel is suitable for preaching

The phrase from a familiar hymn, “If I should die on a foreign field someday,” is no idle lyric to the many missionaries today who brave taking the Gospel to a troubled world, great distances from the relative safety of their home countries. The blessings most of us take for granted, not the least of which include becoming a Christian (Acts 11:26) and worshipping “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), are worth risking one’s life to accomplish, and yes, dying for if necessary. Christianity is that important—eternally important, on a personal level.  Christianity is not only important to new recipients of the Gospel message, but it is more important to those who already comprise the church than they may really know. Jesus wasn’t kidding around when He left his disciples (of whom we profess to be) the one job to do of taking the Gospel to the entire world (Mark 16:15-16). Those who are not personally going abroad ought to be more than happy to send those who are willing to go into a hostile world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s high time that the Lord’s church concern itself a little less with creature comforts and get back to the lone assignment Jesus left for us to do. Of course, not everyone can take the Gospel across the globe personally. However, Bonnie and I leave for Bangalore and New Delhi, India as well as Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) on October 14; we will return to the States November 15. Just a matter of several days before our

Was there a 50 day “Grace Period” between Jesus’ death on the cross and the day of Pentecost, so if any righteous God fearing Jews or Gentiles such as Cornelius would have died before hearing the gospel, they would still be saved? Also, if that be the case and to be fair, would that “grace period” need to be extended longer until everyone on earth had a chance to hear the gospel as stated in Colossians 1:23. ~ Keven Endsley, Roanoke, TX     No, there was not a grace period between the cross and Pentecost. However, another circumstance prevailed between the cross and Pentecost that does not lend itself to application at any time beyond Pentecost of Acts 2. Whereas the Old  Testament (namely, Judaism, Romans 7:6-7) was nailed to the cross of Christ (Colossians 2:14) 50 days before the Acts 2 Pentecost, the effect and benefit of the cross of Christ was unknown to the world until proclaimed by the apostle Peter in the first recorded Gospel sermon. Judaism effectively continued, then, until the birthday of the church in Acts 2. In a sense, this is comparable to USA politics of selecting the nation’s next president; the new president is elected in November, but he is not inaugurated as president until months later. Christianity was not inaugurated at the cross of Christ, but rather on the birthday of the church in Acts 2.     Cornelius was not approached with the Gospel of Christ until 10 years after the birthday of the church in Acts 2. From that time forth, the final class

A discussion came up in our Sunday morning bible class regarding Acts 10 and Cornelius’ conversion. Although he was not a “Jew,” verse 2 states he was: “A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.” …How can I explain John 9:31 that states “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth” if Cornelius had not been baptized under the new Testament that went into affect when Christ died on the cross? ~ Keven Endsley     The following verses illustrate the attitude of God toward two types of souls who might appeal to him. “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry” (Psalm 34:15). “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). “Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD” (Proverbs 1:28-29). “The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29). “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard” (Proverbs 21:13). “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination” (Proverbs 28:9).

One prerequisite to successful biblical interpretation is properly regard the Word of God respecting its divine origin, divine transmittal to mankind and divine preservation. The Word of God is to be revered because it is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16, lit. “divinely breathed” Biblesoft’s; Robertson’s; Vincent’s). After acknowledging the divine utility of the Word of God, one must determine to understand what it means and be willing to make any needed application to himself. “Because the Bible claims to be the Word of God to man, it behooves man to understand the Scriptures with precision” (Thomas 307). Properly ascertaining Bible authority through valid biblical interpretation materially affects the acceptableness of one’s conduct and worship on earth, as well as one’s eternal destiny.     Failure to accept the divine origin of the Bible and that God has given us an authoritative message that he expects mankind to understand and obey derails effective Christianity. “…the strongest challenges presently [1975] being made to true Christianity are at the point of: … (8) the proper method of interpreting the Bible” (Warren, “When” viii). Even accepting the divine origin and authoritative nature of the Word of God (the Bible), but failing to understand it correctly promises mankind no good on earth or in eternity.     Further, anyone preaching, teaching or otherwise affirming a doctrine is obligated biblically to defend that doctrine with a correct biblical interpretation of God’s Word. The apostle Peter affirmed, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer

Bonnie and I leave for India and Myanmar (Burma) on October 14 and will return to the states November 15. On this trip, we will acquaint ourselves personally and on site with several brethren with whom J.C. and Betty Choate have labored for a number of years. This will enable us to better utilize ourselves in the overall and ongoing work of world evangelism, edify Christians and be a part of bringing other souls to Christ a world away from Winona, Mississippi.     Both of us will have our respective opportunities to speak to numerous Christians and non-Christians. While Bonnie will teach possibly hundreds of ladies and children, I will teach at Bible schools and preach in meetings in the two countries. Ordinarily, the trip for the two of us combined costs about $8,000 or a little more; in these times, we can be sure that the travel there and back will cost at least that much and probably more. To date, we have laid aside about $1,200 for this trip. We must rely on the genoros-ity of individual Christians and congregations as we collect the balance of the funds necessary to make this mission trip.    We must assemble the rest of the needed funds immediately, since the tickets must be purchased before applications can be made for the visas, and ticket prices are climbing by hundreds of dollars each week. Bonnie and I respectfully ask churches of Christ and members of the churches of Christ to participate financially with us in this trip. Please send your gift

Hi good day, I am college student doing religious education course in my field. I was given these questions and think maybe you could help. How did the following contribute to the growth of Christianity? (1) The Roman Influence, (2) The Jewish Influence, (3) Persecution. ~ Godfrey Bailey     Each of the world powers that not only preceded but also controlled the part of the earth where Christianity began and from which it spread made indirect contributions to the growth of Christianity. For instance, the ancient Persians (today, Iran) contributed advances in communication from one extent of the vast empire to its furthest reaches through the introduction of a sort of pony express; the Persians gave the world in which Christianity later flourished a postal system. When the Greeks dominated the lands into which Christianity would eventually spread, that civilization contributed a universal language by which all the nation partners to the empire could communicate; the Greeks gave the world ringing the Mediterranean Sea and extending far eastward the language in which the New Testament was originally written. When that form of the Greek was no longer used, the Greek language in which the New Testament was written became changeless, and the New Testament itself was equally changeless, definitive and certain in its expression. The Roman Empire provided a system of roads for their day comparable to the Interstates throughout the United States; secondly, the Romans provide stability throughout their vast empire through a universal system of enforced law.     Christianity especially benefited

How true is the claim that the Hebrew Calendar/use of the Sacred Names of God is a must for Christians today ? ~ Femi Temilola     A “claim” is merely an assertion without a biblical prescription, for us today, in the New Testament or Gospel of Jesus Christ; Judaism as a law is no longer applicable as it has been nailed to the cross of Christ (Colossians 2:14), done away (2 Corinthians 3:11), abolished (Ephesians 2:15), and we have been delivered from it (Romans 7:6-7). The Hebrew calendar has no special significance in the Christian Age (Colossians 2:16-17). In addition, any of the several designations or names for deity in the New Testament are suitable as the New Testament is inspired of God, as was the Old  Testament likewise inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

How Can a Polygamist Become a Christian? How can this problem be solved in a case of a Christian involved in a polygamous union before coming to know God? ~ Femi Temilola     Christians and non-Christians are amenable to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whether they realize it or not (Mark 16:15-16; Romans 1:15). The reason Jesus Christ came into the world was because mankind was already lost in sin; “Son of man came to seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10 ASV; Romans 3:10, 23 ).     Since all people are bound by the Gospel or New Testament even before they become Christians, part of the Gospel plan of salvation calls for repentance prior to forgiveness of one’s past sins; “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:28).     The New Testament allows a man or a woman one spouse (monogamy, not polygamy). “Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband” (1 Corinthians 7:1-2). A second spouse under Christianity constitutes adultery (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). Apostolic instruction for the selection of elders emphasized monogamy rather than polygamy, since previously under Judaism and among non-Jews as well, polygamy was sometimes practiced (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6).    Therefore, a polygamist who wants to become a Christian must abide by the New

Mark McWhorter and his wife, Teah, married in 1977. To this union were born five daughters and one son; Mark and Teah have two grandsons.    Brother and sister McWhorter have homeschooled all of their children, and they were original Board members of Roundhouse, an annual encampment for members of the church who homeschool. In addition, they were administrators for eight years for an Alabama cover school for homeschoolers. Through Chula Vista Books, Mark and Teah not only sell religious books and related materials, but they sell homeschool materials, too. Mark also buys and resells preachers’ libraries.     Member of Ashville (Alabama) Church of Christ, Mark has made numerous mission trips overseas, including to Australia, Ukraine, Belize and England. Qualified by his education and professional experience, brother McWhorter includes among his foreign efforts presentations on Biblical Medical Ethics; he has worked as a Nurse Clinician in Open Heart Surgery Recovery at the University of Alabama in Birmingham for 29 years. In that position he overseas the direct post-operative clinical intensive care of congenital, adult, artificial circulatory device implant, and heart/lung transplantation patients.     Brother McWhorter has written for several brotherhood publications and lectureship books over the years. He has written Wisdom’s Corner, a weekly Internet column for children, for 13 years; for several years, he has graciously allowed Gospel Gazette Online to include two of those columns monthly in its pages; each of these columns that has appeared in GGO remain available in the Archive, which can be searched with an onsite search engine. This issue of GGO is primarily populated with articles from brother Mark McWhorter as a tribute to his dedication and

Hello, Why did God command Joshua three times in chapter one “be strong and courageous,” in fact one of the times He said, “be strong and very courageous.” What was God trying to tell Joshua, and now to us as we read this passage? Thank you, Nancy from Scarborough, Maine     Except for the “very,” the same original language words appear in each of verses Joshua 1:6, 7 and 9. Nothing appears in Scripture beyond the exhortations to be strong, but it is an easy supposition to conclude that the momentous undertaking passing from the hands of Moses to Joshua was challenging, besides the task of conquering and settling Canaan; anyone assuming such a significant and challenging role could well use the reassurance of the repeated instructive encouragement of Almighty God.     Perhaps antidotal evidence along these lines, I remember reading of instruction sometimes given to police and security guards. When confronting someone to whom it is necessary to give verbal commands, to which the subject does not immediately comply, repeat the command two more times, for a total of three times. Usually, the subject will comply upon the third pronouncement of the command (provided he or she is not conditioned against authority or part of group or mob thinking). Evidently, something about three pronouncements of a command often favorably works on the human psyche.

Will the Second Coming going to be in 2 phases? ~ Femi Temilola     No, the second coming of Jesus Christ will not occur in two phases as the false, denominational doctrine of premillennialism teaches. One passage of Scripture by itself dispels the notion of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ occurring in two phases. “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28-29). At the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, all will come forth from the graves at the same time, including both the righteous and the unrighteous, destined for two different eternities. There is no second phase to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Why did Jesus tell the disciples not to tell anyone of the experience they had on the mountain at His transfiguration? Nancy Trimble     Jesus Christ told his apostles to refrain from disclosing to others about the Transfiguration before his death, burial and resurrection. “And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead” (Matthew 17:9; Mark 9:9). Evidently, the Transfiguration initially provided needed reassurance to the Lord’s closest disciples respecting his Messiahship. Secondarily, the Transfiguration through those apostles who witnessed it later would provide evidence of our Lord’s Messiahship to others as well.     This vision was designed particularly to confirm them in the truth that he was the Messiah. While he was with them it was unnecessary that they should relate what they had seen. When he was crucified they would need this evidence that he was the Christ. Then they were to use it. There were three witnesses of it as many as the law required (Deut 17:6; Heb 10:28), and the proof that he was the Messiah was clear. Besides, if they had told it then, it would have provoked the Jews and endangered his life. His time was not yet come. (Barnes)     Thought provoking and probably accurate, Wycliffe noted: “Apparently not even the other apostles were to be informed at this time.” Another commentator provides another reason that Jesus may have delayed the announcement to others by the witnesses of His Transfiguration. “Even

Versus aimless rambling with one’s words, to be an effective communicator, one must organize his thoughts. This is especially true when one purposes to communicate the Word of God to his fellow man; no communication is as important as or more desperately needed by humanity than divine revelation. Therefore, preachers and teachers must carefully prepare beforehand how to convey selected truths from God’s Word; the sheer volume of divine revelation (the Bible) and the limited capacity of mortals to absorb it on any one occasion, the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) must be proclaimed in installments. The whole counsel of God needs to be preached, but not all at once and not in such a disorganized fashion that it is incomprehensible.     The most important element to a well-organized presentation (including sermons and Bible studies) is the thesis or purpose statement. Nothing belongs in a particular sermon or Bible lesson that does not pertain to and explain the thesis or purpose statement. While various sermons or Bible lessons, indeed, may contain a wide range of biblical material, not every biblical truth belongs in the same outline. The thesis or purpose statement needs to be carefully worded to be direct and simple enough to allow the subsequent outline to explain it thoroughly within the anticipated available time allotment. One must guard against making either a vague thesis or purpose statement or making the thesis or purpose statement too long or complicated.    The thesis or purpose statement is the anchor for

Ernest S. Underwood and his wife, Shirley, at this writing reside in DeFuniak Springs, Florida, where he serves the College Avenue church of Christ as its minister and as one of its elders. Nothing more as concisely portrays brother Underwood than his stated life’s purpose “to preach the Gospel of Christ and teach His Word until claimed in death.” Consequently, Ernest Underwood’s life has been and continues to be populated with good works.     As an evangelist, brother Underwood has served the cause of Christ long term stateside in Tennessee, Florida, Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma and Arizona as well as overseas in Singapore and Russia. Gospel meeting and campaign work has taken brother Ernest to 22 states and to Bermuda, the West Indies, Ghana,   West   Africa,    Taiwan,    Malaysia, Thailand and India. Shirley and Ernest will spend three months this year (2008) in Shillong, India, working with a Bible school there underwritten financially by the College Avenue church of Christ.     Over the years, Ernest Underwood has conducted daily radio and weekly television programs. He has been an avid writer of religious articles and author of several books. Brother Underwood has taught in the Florida School of Preaching, the Owassa (Oklahoma) School of Biblical Studies, Four Seas College of Bible and Missions (Singapore) and a school of preaching in Shillong, India. Ernest Underwood has taught also in state prisons in Tennessee and Florida as well as in a juvenile detention center in Arizona.     As a team in service to God, Shirley and Ernest Underwood are tools in the hands of God, tools that bear no rust due to constant and purposeful use for the Master. It is a pleasure to dedicate this issue of Gospel Gazette Online to brother Ernest

Can you give me some general advice when it comes to picking a candidate to be President? I’m young (22) and kind of inexperienced at this. In asking this, of course, I know that everyone may have something that they see personally in a candidate, so I’m not asking for any personal information from you (unless you desire to share it). From a Christian’s perspective, I need general advice. Though the Lord will ultimately pick who gets in office (Daniel 4:17 & Romans 13:1-6), and knowing too that none of the candidates will be perfect, I want to at least look at what the candidates stand for, and pray that they will be as honest as possible (I Timothy 2:1-2). [I emphasized part of the last sentence. ~ Editor]     Hardly anything could be added to this scenario to make it better advice for anyone readying himself to vote for the next president. It is unfathomable that a professing Christian would do his or her part through the electoral process to promote the very sins that God through the New Testament condemns. Aside from the economy, national security, etc. over which there may be lively debate respecting the pros and cons of various presidential candidates, for the conscientious child of God there can be no debate regarding what political parties and their candidates may promote, in direct opposition to what the God of heaven opposes! I cannot imagine a faithful Christian purposefully contributing to the election a political candidate who espouses abortion (“murder” Matthew

Matthew 5:27-28 describes lustful thoughts as sinful, which certainly are a precursor for many who bring their lusts to fruition by committing adultery. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). Jesus Christ clarified Old Testament interpretation (of Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18) by the Jewish religious leaders respecting adultery, to include in the sin of adultery the thoughts that often precede the physical activity of adultery. Similarly, the apostle Peter described brethren, “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin” (2 Peter 2:14). Lust usually precedes adultery. “Here, as in reference to murder, Jesus legislates against the thought which lies back of the act. He cuts off sin at its lowest root. The essence of all vice is intention. Those who indulge in unchaste imaginations, desires and intentions are guilty before God” (McGarvey and Pendleton). Elsewhere, Jesus also defines sin as originating in the heart or from within a person; “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matthew 15:19).     That being said, I am not aware of any commentator, preacher or other student of the Bible, among the churches of Christ or not, who is on record as supposing that lust by itself constitutes biblical grounds for divorce because of fornication or adultery (and possible subsequent

Hi, I have used articles in personal bible studies that I have with certain people. I use them so that I can have “structure” in my studies, and not just open the bible without direction as to what we’re talking about. For some reason, though, I started thinking that I would be opposed one day for not just using the “bible only” in my teaching. This lingers in my mind at times, and I wonder if I’m not thinking for myself when using other’s articles. What are your thoughts concerning this? Am I thinking too much of myself rather than in imparting spiritual information to another soul? Thank You, Anthony Grigsby     Certainly, the Bible needs to be the basis of all worthwhile religious instruction. However, every comment about and explanation of Scripture is categorically comparable to using literature. Every sermon is categorically comparable to using literature, due to observations and comments beyond simply reading Scripture.     The Bible itself expects explanations in addition to simply reading of Scripture. Consider these two examples, one from each testament of the Bible. “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading” (Nehemiah 8:8). “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

“But the land that you are going over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water by the rain from heaven, a land that the Lord your God cares for. The eyes of the Lord your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year” (Deuteronomy 11:11-12). The land the Israelites entered was one abundantly blessed by God. Whether one looked to the hills or valleys, God’s care was clear. It was understood in the fertile land, from which they would reap bountiful harvests. It was recognized in the protection God would offer from their enemies. As long as they remained faithful to God, He would always be with them, to provide and care for them.    The time the Israelites spent in this land, though, would not always be easy. They had allowed idolatrous nations to remain among them. These nations would be a snare to Israel, seeking to turn them away from God. Their lives would find hills and valleys, good times as well as bad, trials with the blessings. If only they had remembered that God was with them through it all! By forsaking God, they abandoned their source of blessings. They would one day find themselves in a foreign land, taken captive because of their sins.     Not all of life is filled with “mountain top” experiences, but neither is it always lived in the valley. We also have highs and lows in our lives, good

Jesus Christ, through direct instructions first to eleven apostles, only gave the church one job to do—not two, not three—just one job to do (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-49; Acts 1:4-8). We call that one job the Great Commission, a notable expansion of the target audience characteristic of what we call the Limited Commission (to the house of Israel, Matthew 10:5-6). “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15 emphasis added).     Most cite a three-fold mission of the Lord’s church (i.e., edification, 1 Corinthians 14:12; evangelism, Matthew 28:19-20; benevolence, Galatians 6:10). Yet, forasmuch as the Lord’s church and the Christians who comprise it may have responsibilities that include edification and benevolence, it remains a fact that our Lord Jesus Christ only gave the church one job to do—to evangelize the world with the Gospel.    Christians (the church) have the responsibility (and privilege) to worship God in his own appointed way (John 4:23-24), but Christians and the church only have one job to do—evangelize the world with the Gospel of Christ. Likewsie, Christians have responsibilities respecting Christian living (Titus 2:12) and Christian service (John 12:16; Hebrews. 12:28), but Christians still only have one job—take the Gospel to the world. Parents have parental responsibilities toward their children (Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15), but Christian parents still have only one job—tell others about the saving Christ of the saving Gospel.     The Christian vocation is to evangelize the world with the Gospel. Evangelism is the lifeblood of the Lord’s church, without which

By: Louis Rushmore How do explain the various/different accounts about the healing of the blindmen in the Matt 20  vs 30, Mark 10 vs 46, Luke18 vs 35; Help me clarify the discrepancy. Discrepancy is definitely the wrong word to describe variations in parallel or companion Bible texts. In the first place, similar accounts are not all necessarily parallel or discussing the same occasion. Second, accounts that are parallel may provide varying degrees of details; rather than contradicting each other, they corroborate each other, only one text provides additional details. Third, two texts that appear to be discussing the same occasion, but vary from each other, may only represent an emphasis on an aspect of the event by one of the texts. Therefore, any plausible explanation, that harmonizes two biblical references that may first appear to conflict, disallows categorization as discrepancies in Scripture.     One commentator addresses the variances in these passages by observing that “…Matthew tells of two, while Mark and Luke tell only of one—the principal one” (McGarvey). Another commentator adds, “The two blind men who sat by the wayside heard the multitude as Jesus passed by and in the midst of the noise and confusion ‘cried out, saying, Lord, have mercy on us, thou son of David.’ One of these was Bartimaeus…but the mention of him does not exclude another, and Matthew tells us that there was another to share the blessing” (Boles, Matthew). B.W. Johnson concurs by penning, “‘If there were two there certainly was one.’ Luke and Mark

By: Louis Rushmore  A person from a university in Nigeria asks what “private interpretation means.” “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20-21). The word “private” means “pertaining to self” or “one’s own” (Biblesoft’s). The word “interpretation” means “explanation” or “application” (Biblesoft’s). Vine observes, “…the writers of Scripture did not put their own construction upon the ‘Godbreathed’ words they wrote.” Second Peter 1:20-21 contrast uninspired interpretation with divine inspiration (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown). Scripture is not the proper object of “conjecture” (Clarke). Consequently, Scripture is “sure” and worthy to be heeded (2 Peter 1:19) for what it teaches without combination with human ideas (Matthew 15:9). Works Cited Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. CD-ROM. Seattle:  Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, 1994. Clarke, Adam. Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Electronic Database. CD-ROM. Seattle: Biblesoft, 1996. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary. CD-ROM. Seattle: Biblesoft, 1997. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words. CD-ROM. Nashville: Nelson, 1985.

By: Louis Rushmore Hello. My question is concerning Ananias in Acts 9. Was Ananias a rare exception in the laying on of hands to heal Saul in Acts 9:17-18? I don’t see him named as one of the apostles. Since learning more about the apostles authority in the laying on of hands, I wasn’t able to figure this out. I wanted to so that I wouldn’t speak presumptuously to anyone about the passage. Thank You. (Anthony Grigsby)     First, Ananias was not one of the apostles of Christ. He was not one of the original twelve (Matthew 10:2-5). He was not the replacement apostle for Judas who by transgression fell (Acts 1:13-26). He was not the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul (Acts 9:15; 22:21; 26:17). Apostles were not replaced simply due to death (Acts 12:1-2). Second, laying on of hands, when it referred to miracles of healing, was not limited to the apostles, but believers in the first century (Mark 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 12:9). Ananias was not an apostle of Christ.

I will be teaching Job 38-42 in our adult Sunday School class. In preparing for this class I studied the LXX, the ESV and the NIV. Verse 36 in the LXX reads as follows: And who has given to women skill in weaving or knowledge of embroidery? ESV: Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind? NIV: Who endowed the heart with wisdome or gave understanding to the mind. Our versions are about as different from the LXX as one could ever hope to find? Any rational reason for the difference in translations? Thank you. Ken Heflin     Students of the Bible who have observed various translations of Job 38:36 have also observed the disparity between some of those translations. Albert Barnes prefaced his treatment of this verse by saying: “There is great variety in the interpretation of this passage.” The following translations illustrate this variety of translation: “And who has given to women skill in weaving or knowledge of embroidery?” (Septuagint or LXX); “Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?” (KJV). “Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?” (NKJV). “Who has put wisdom in the clouds, or given understanding to the mists?” (RSV). The question, naturally, is why such variety in translation.     One commentary notes that most of our English translations correspond to the Hebrew text (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown). The Septuagint, of course, is a translation from Hebrew

My question is, in the fruit of repentance before baptism, how does one know how much he has repented of when his sins are so many? …But, I keep wondering now if I had repented enough before my baptism. Now knowing more about repentance, and that it’s also a change of “conduct” (not just a change of mind), I try to think back and see if my conduct had changed before my baptism. Today, I try to tell myself that the Lord saved me, knowing that I still needed a fuller knowledge of “repentance,” but for some reason, I still keep having doubts about whether I’m saved… Anthony Grigsby     The child of God can know that he knows that he is saved; there is no reason for the Christian to harbor doubts about his or her salvation. “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3). The fact that a child of God may sometimes have doubts about salvation does not necessarily mean that he is not saved, only that he needs to know about scriptural assurances of salvation.     John the Baptist called upon the religious leaders who appeared at the site of his preaching and baptisms to “bring forth therefore fruits of repentance” (Matthew 3:8) because there was neither any profession nor demonstration by them of their willingness to amend their sinful ways. The Saducees and the Pharisees were unaffected by John’s divine message, and they were discernibly impenitent.

I read you response to eating in the church building and the comment about how it was sinful to make a law where there is none. my concerns about this is not the food but spending the Lords money for pleasure. The congregations I have visited who practice these frequent gatherings in the building purchased with the Lords money, Have large halls purchased with the Lords money and kitchen appliances purchased with the Lords money and are using utilities while they are doing such which is being paid for with the Lords money. This money is intended to spread the gospel and not for people pleasing which is what I have observed and refuse to participate in due to wasteful use of the Lords money. If you are worshiping in someone’s home where someone else paying the bills and they wish to have a dinner that is different which is what happened in Bible times. If you can show me in the Bible where it is alright to use the Lord’s money in this manner please let me know. But as of yet I haven’t found it and where there is no example, direct command or necessary inference it is best to error on the side of caution which in this case would be not to do so. than to do or teach others to do wrong. the issue here is not the eating it is who is paying the bill for our personal pleasure. Sharon Smith (emphasis added)     The ownership of meetinghouses is authorized by divine implication and correct human inference.

A preacher of the Gospel in India inquires about whether churches of Christ can operate orphanages and old age homes, or other social works. Essentially, the question revolves around what a congregation can and cannot do (with God’s approval) with the funds of the church. Does God allow churches to spend His money for benevolence, specifically for orphanages and old age homes?     Galatians 6:10 authorizes the Lord’s church to spend church funds benevolently toward Christians and non-Christians, naysayers notwithstanding. Since the church is authorized to financially compensate its preachers (Galatians 6:6), the church (not just individuals) is authorized to act benevolently toward Christians and non-Christians (Galatians 6:10).     How the church opts to satisfy its willingness to extend benevolence toward Christians and non-Christians is a local, congregational decision, the details of which to not appear in Scripture. For instance, a local congregation may decide the most effective way that it can exercise itself benevolently is to provide the services by partially (or wholly) funding benevolent services, such as an orphanage or old age home.

Hi. In Matthew 19:9, the guilty party commits adultery if he “marries” someone else. This, of course, could only be possible while the original marriage covenant is still intact. My question is: Since one of the parties still is actually married (though, unknowingly), wouldn’t the one who hasn’t married before be able to marry when they find out the truth and seperate, since they weren’t bound by a genuine marriage law (Romans 7:1-3)? Also, does their “divorce” have to be through the state system as well? Couldn’t they just seperate? Thank You I guess there are 2 questions here (sorry). Anthony Grigsby     I have a first cousin who married a man and had children by him, only to learn later that he was already and still married to another woman. Consequently, she was not really married to the man that she thought was her husband and who was the father of her children. Neither the state (once bigamy was known) nor God recognized that supposed marriage as valid. However, the question posed represents a circumstance where the state recognizes a supposed marriage as valid, but God does not recognize the marriage as valid. In order to avoid the charge of bigamy being leveled against one by the state, a divorce according to civil law (comparable to the civil ceremony officiating the supposed marriage) must precede contracting a marriage in the future in accordance both with civil and divine law. Mankind is obligated to abide by the law of the land

I received an email from another beloved brother overseas who made the following comments: Another thing that I have concern with is a doctrine that is going around our brotherhood that there is no such place as hell…that is no “eternal punishment” …but that rather hell is knowing the beauties of heaven but being annihilated. One preacher said to me that a loving God would not allow a person to suffer eternally. Have you personally come across this false teaching? I read an article by Legard Smith who obviously believes that those who do not go to heaven will be non-existent. It is difficult for me to understand why some of these learned brethren cannot accept the Word as we have it. If you have any material on this I would appreciate it very much. God bless.     In the religious world as a whole, the subject of hell is an almost totally overlooked subject. While a large percentage of Americans, according to polls, believe there is a heaven, a comparatively small group holds a firm conviction that hell exists (Lyons, June 2007). As is alluded to in the email, there are some in the Lord’s church who are denying the concept of eternal, everlasting hell. In 1982, Edward Fudge published a book entitled The Fire That Consumes in which he denied the existence of an eternal hell, and offered instead a version of the concept of annihilation being hell. Later, Homer Hailey penned a book that he called God’s Judgments and Punishments in

Friday, February 1, 2008, our beloved brother J.C. Choate crossed the threshold between the here and the now versus the there and the forever. Familiarity with the life and the lifelong labor of brother Choate provides insight respecting his eternal destiny. Consequently, his funeral and subsequent interment were reminiscent of a victory celebration, rather than merely a commemoration of grief by those he left behind.     Numerous preachers officiated J.C.’s funeral at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 5, including Wayne Barrier, Gordon Hogan, Dennis Larson, Colin McKee and L.D. Willis, each of whom spoke a few words. Gene Gibson and Byron Nichols led congregational singing. Jeremy Barrier, Joey Barrier, Jerry Bates, Louis Rushmore, Will White and Charles Brymer served as pall bearers. Loy Mitchell concluded the memorial services at the graveside.     Over the last 45 years, J.C. Choate (along with others) built up one of the oldest contemporary and one of the most effective programs of foreign evangelism in the Lord’s church, comprised of 36 radio and 8 TV programs abroad, 9 overseas Bible schools, an international Gospel magazine, an internet Gospel magazine and campaigns abroad. Further, massive distribution of literature blankets Asia and Africa.     J.C. planned ahead; the program of foreign evangelism he established is bigger than the man, as well as more durable. Last year, he invited two couples to become team members in Winona, MS to help perpetuate the program of world evangelism when illness would take him from us; Jerry and Paula Bates, with Louis and

Dear Friends, My wife, Bonnie, and I are involved in the most important labor for God in which we have ever been involved. Despite 35 years of ministry, 10 years teaching in a school of preaching, publishing Gospel Gazette Online since 1999, writing several books and numerous articles, and such like, absolutely nothing we have ever attempted for the Lord compares with our current investment of ourselves in the service of Jesus Christ. As team members in World Evangelism, we have the potential of contributing to the salvation of many thousands of souls and the edification of many more Christians around the globe. This 45-year-old evangelistic effort has grown over the decades to include (1) an international Gospel magazine (Voice of Truth International) consisting of a printing from 30,000 to 70,000 each quarter, (2) 36 foreign radio and 8 foreign TV programs, (3) 9 overseas Bible schools, (4) a monthly Internet Gospel magazine read all over the planet (www.gospelgazette.com), (5) numerous campaigns abroad annually, (6) massive literature distribution in Asia and Africa, and (7) plans to publish a new Bible school curriculum, written by brothers and sisters in Christ, which curriculum majors in (a) application to our times and (b) emphasis on the identity and exclusivity of the church over which Jesus Christ is Head and for which he will one day return to take back with him to Heaven. As one of only two couples in Winona, MS at the World Evangelism building, Bonnie and I are chest-high deep in the

The history of the United States of America includes a period of migration across the vast landscape where families, churches and sometimes entire communities mounted covered wagons to form long wagon trains. Some of those travelers may have affixed signs on their covered wagons that read something similar to, “California or Bust!” These people placed a few cherished possessions in their horse drawn wagons and all of their determination to make the journey, come what may. Bonnie and I will mount airplanes rather than covered wagons, but with no less determination to arrive at our destination, for the purpose of glorifying God the Father and edifying the souls of men with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. About October 15, 2008, Bonnie and I will leave for Burma (Myanmar) and India, where we will spend several weeks teaching the Gospel to many hundreds, day and night. I will teach Christian leaders several hours daily in a Bible school while in Burma, and I will preach at several churches of Christ, including throughout India. We anticipate high temperatures and 100% humidity. We go to serve Christ and glorify the Father. We go to edify brothers and sisters in Christ as well as to convert non-Christians with the Gospel. We can only go if you and others like you enable us to go by providing financial support. When we go, you who help us financially participate with us on the foreign field. When we lead souls to Christ, though a world away from

A Gospel preacher in India asks if Bible training schools are biblical. Bible schools and preacher training schools are employed in the United States and overseas effectively to teach people about Christianity as well as to prepare men and women Christians for greater Christian service.     The words of the apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 2:2 authorize teaching especially Christians in such a way as to increase their knowledge and effectiveness in Christian service. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men [Greek, anthropos, meaning “human being”], who shall be able to teach others also.” This verse implies that a means must be employed to accomplish the directive to teach, but the details regarding how to teach are not included. The means of implementing the teaching, then, are left to the discretion of humans. Therefore, by divine implication and human inference, Bible training schools and preacher training schools are authorized because they are means by which the directive of 2 Timothy 2:2 are satisfied.

I am looking for a place where I can ask questions and someone of authority would answer. Do you know of such an email group? An example of such a question would be the wise men saw an Eastern Star and they knew the Lord had been born. How did they know? How many years did that star shine? Carl Martin, Humble, Texas     The only religious authority is the Bible itself. No person can speak authoritatively about religion beyond what the inspired Word of God reveals (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21). What the Bible reveals, we can know; what the Bible does not reveal, we cannot know (Deuteronomy 29:29). Surely, God has revealed to mankind everything religiously that He wants mankind to have; surely, God has preserved everything religiously that He wants mankind to have.     That being said, the Bible does not specifically record how that the wisemen knew that a special starry phenomenon that they observed indicated the birth of the Lord. In addition, the Bible does not specify for how long this special star shone.     The best one can do regarding these questions is to attempt to deduce some relative or possible answers. Any plausible answers, though not definitive, preclude dismissal of the event.     Though there had been silence from God for about 400 years since the close of the Old Testament, the New Testament opens with several divine revelations to various individuals: Zacharias (Luke 1:5-20); Mary, mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-37), Joseph (Matthew

Hello. I have a question. Can the one, who is divorced for the purpose of “fornication,” remarry when their now “old” spouse dies (Romans 7:1-3)? Does the death of a spouse give eligibility to remarriage, no matter what the circumstance (even in the case of unscriptural divorce)?  Thank You. Anthony Grigsby- Dayton, Ohio USA     Strictly speaking, the New Testament records our Lord’s prohibition of the spouse guilty of adultery or fornication, who then is divorced by his or her mate, from marrying again (Matthew 5:32; 19:9). The prospect of the innocent (sinned-against) spouse dying and whether the guilty party can then remarry is not entertained in those passages.     Romans 7:1-3 uses the marriage covenant to illustrate regarding the following verses that mankind is no longer bound to the Old Law after it is dead and removed, but that mankind can and must recognize the binding nature of the New Testament. Further, this illustration about marriage emphasizes the impropriety of either trying to have two husbands or abide by two law systems at the same time. Though Romans, in that illustration, mentions that death dissolves marriage, enabling the survivor to remarry, divorce is not a part of the equation in the passage.     In other words, neither any of the passages under consideration, nor other passages outside our current consideration, speak to the specific circumstance of a divorce of an adulterer and his subsequent remarriage, irrespective of whether one’s spouse is alive or dead. Therefore, a direct answer as to whether a spouse divorced

What is the greatest challenge you face as a Christian? Life is indeed full of daily challenges. However, someone has correctly written, “Challenges can be stepping stones or stumbling blocks. It’s just a matter of how you view them” (Unknown). Challenges can and will help us to grow and to become spiritually what God expects each one of His children to be. Challenges are seldom a pleasure when we are in the midst of them, but nonetheless they are profitable for our growth and being made stronger. What are some of the daily challenges for God’s child?     In the first place, it is often a daily challenge to relinquish myself to God. Surrendering our will to the will of the Father is often a true test of one’s Christianity. How often do we want to do those things that please us instead of those things that please God? Jesus clearly taught, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24a). The idea of “denying” oneself means that we, “forget one’s self, lose sight of one’s self and one’s own interests” (Thayer, A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament e-sword). Truly, God’s children must display Paul’s attitude, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for

Why did I begin to preach? Was it because I am especially gifted with an excellent speaking voice? The apostle Paul, admittedly the greatest Gospel preacher ever, did not have perfect sermon delivery (1 Corinthians 2:1; 2 Corinthians 10:10; 11:6), and neither have I ever. (Many might “Amen” that–and one elder felt compelled to voice to me that I’m “not much of a preacher.”)     I did not begin preaching because I have superior understanding of the Bible. Despite often being the recipient of divine revelation (Galatians 1:12; Ephesians 3:3), the apostle Paul both studied Scripture (2 Timothy 4:13) and instructed others to study Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15).   I did not begin preaching because I envisioned preaching as a route by which to become independently wealthy. Though Gospel preachers deserve financial support (1 Corinthians 9:4-14; Galatians 6:6), Gospel preachers resign themselves to make do for the cause of Christ when they are inadequately supported (Philippians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 6:8). Every Gospel preacher knows there is much truth to the modern proverb: “The pay isn’t much, but the retirement is out of this world.”     Why, then, did I begin to preach? I suspect I began to preach for precisely the same reason most other Gospel preachers have devoted their lives to the ministry. We began to preach because we can, and therefore, we ought to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8). For us, preaching is obligatory–because we can (1 Corinthians 9:16). No one I know, though, purports that

With this issue of Gospel Gazette Online, we begin our tenth year of providing this 20-page, monthly, religious magazine to a worldwide readership through the Internet. This represents thousands of articles by numerous brothers and sisters in Christ, which articles are archived and searchable with a search engine included on the website. We sincerely hope that this humble effort in which so many have participated has contributed to the edification of countless souls and the conversion of many others. We continue to be encouraged by the flow of mostly favorable correspondence respecting GGO. Happily, Gospel Gazette Online remains free to users around the globe, and meters at the foot of the homepage evidence regular visitors from many countries across most of the continents; even one or more users from Antarctica have used GGO. Free subscriptions (monthly reminders) are available upon request.     Before beginning Gospel Gazette Online and during much of the time GGO has been in existence, I taught at the West Virginia School of Preaching. For six of the nine years since we began GGO, Bonnie and I labored with the Cameron (West Virginia) church of Christ. More recently, we moved to Winona, Mississippi to labor with J.C. and Betty Choate, helping perpetuate their 45-year investment in world evangelism. We are helping perpetuate the magazine, Voice of Truth International, which circulates by the tens of thousands throughout the world four times a year in multiple languages. We are helping prepare various book titles for publication, which will edify Christians and non-Christians at home and abroad. We will be teaching overseas in congregations and in Bible schools. We

Deuteronomy 14:29 regarding the tithes for the levites, strangers, and the fatherless, and the widow. can you explain this and what is the connection in our daily living as a christian. I read a track title “The Benevolent Work of the Church” by Jesse G. Jenkins, In 2 Cor. 9:12-13, that the “unto them” means (poor jewish saints in Jerusalem) having their want releived and “unto all men’ means (other Jewish saints) giving thankgiving to God for their Gentile brethren. They use Acts 2:14 the word “all” means JEWISH SAINTS. In Acts 2:45 refers only to believers of verse 44. and He said the same also in Acts 4:35 where “all men” is again is used, means believers of verse 34. Is their any text or strong materials to use to explain this (UNTO THEM AND UNTO ALL) or the original word (greek) so that it will understand correctly. please give some explanation. ~ Brod Omar S. Agustin, Philippines     Sincere maybe, but hardhearted and practitioners of a religion unlike the disposition of Jesus Christ are those whose doctrine about benevolence restricts the church from helping needy non-Christians. Sincere maybe, but this benevolence doctrine is all about money, which supposedly has already been given to the Lord’s church and which should not be the object of a covetousness temperament, but it is. Consider this example from the ministry of our Lord. Matthew 15:22-28 relates that a non-Jewish woman sought healing from Jesus Christ for her daughter, whereupon our Lord first responded to her that his ministry pertained to the Jews

Why did Jesus tell the disciples not to tell anyone of the experience they had on the mountain at His transfiguration? ~ Nancy Trimble     The Transfiguration was not the first occasion for Jesus to direct his disciples to keep a secret regarding Him (for a time, not permanently; after all Matthew later disclosed these “secrets” in his Gospel record). Whereas the Transfiguration occurs in Matthew 17:1-9, earlier in Matthew 16:16-20 Jesus advised his apostles to not openly declare that He is the Christ. Our Lord’s prohibition on declaring the Transfiguration publicly was temporary, only restricted before his resurrection. “And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead” (Matthew 17:9).     Various commentators make these interesting observations regarding our Lord’s Transfiguration, witnesses to it and why Jesus instructed that it not be immediately disclosed to others. For instance: (1) The restriction at the time not to tell anyone about the Transfiguration was spoken to three apostles who were present, and they may have been prohibited to tell even their fellow apostles at that time. (2) Jesus chose three of his disciples to observe his Transfiguration, the precise number required under Judaism to authenticate something (Deuteronomy 17:6; Hebrews 10:28). (3) It was not time to emphasize Jesus’ Messiahship publicly, and arouse even more animosity among the religious leaders than arose already because of our Lord’s ministry.   For everything there is a time, and it wasn’t

Hello. In reading certain material (and a book I’m currently reading) that was written by those in denominations, and talking to them face to face, I’ve always been puzzled by something. We disagree on the major things, such as, faith only salvation, outward show of inward grace baptism, etc. The strange thing is, we seem to have the same thoughts and principles when looking toward God. What I mean is, alot of their experiences and expectations are exactly the same as us in the church of Christ. This creeps into my mind alot, because, in refuting what they teach, I know that their description of the Christian walk is exactly what we teach. Even the personal details are the same. I silently struggle with this. What are your thoughts concerning this? Do you think it has anything to do with how everyone, no matter who it is, responds to temptation (I Corinthians 10:13- although this verse seems to be speaking of Christians only)? Thank You- Anthony Grigsby, Dayton, Ohio, USA Denominationalism is categorically wrong because of the specific doctrinal errors wherein it differs from the Christianity represented upon the pages of inspiration, namely the New Testament. (Incidentally, the churches of Christ and the Christians who compose the Lord’s church can and sometimes do journey down the same road of specific doctrinal errors; how many doctrinal errors must one adopt or embrace before he and other Christians like him become essentially denominational?) Yet, I know of no one among the churches

We are all familiar with death. We are all too familiar with the sadness and grief associated with the loss of a dear loved one in this life. We must never forget that God is concerned with our sorrow. In John 11:35, we find the shortest verse in the Bible, which simply says, “Jesus wept.” This is a short verse with much meaning. This one verse shows the humanity of Jesus in such a tender way. Jesus as God in the flesh is deeply touched by the sorrow he sees exhibited by Mary and Martha in the loss of their beloved brother Lazarus. Sometimes, we wonder why Jesus is weeping when He knows that Lazarus will live again very shortly. Most likely, He is weeping out of a sympathetic heart for the sadness He sees in the hearts of His dear friends. This is in contrast to the pagan conception of gods, who are not touched with the feelings and infirmities of man. Their gods may weep for themselves, but in their legends, they neither weep for man nor do they sympathize with man. This verse should clearly remind us that God is still there for us even in the greatest of tragedies.     I believe that a more important point needs to be made along this line. We normally think that the greatest loss and the greatest grief that can be experienced by man is the loss of a loved one due to death. I agree that indeed, it is a

The Vermilion (OH) church of Christ accepted the responsibility of sponsoring Louis and Bonnie Rushmore in their labors in world evangelism. The city of Vermilion lies west of Cleveland, OH and on the southern shore of Lake Erie. The Vermilion church of Christ is overseen by three elders (Frank Klingman, Claude Price and John Roscoe) and served by its minister and my dear friend, Mark Weaver. Under the oversight of these elders, the congregation will receive money from other congregations and Christians for deposit into the Rushmore Evangelism Fund. This will enable the Rushmores to labor for the cause of Christ stateside and abroad in missions.    Bonnie and Louis work in cooperation with several other brethren in this country and overseas in a vast program of evangelism that uses the tools of the printed word, radio, TV, the Internet, Bible schools and campaigns. The primary area of concentration of these labors is in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and the Philippines, though extensive literature distribution also occurs on the continent of Africa. The aspect of these evangelistic efforts with which American Christians are most familiar is the quarterly magazine, Voice of Truth International.   This cooperative evangelist effort is known as World Evangelism and was begun 45 years ago by J.C. and Betty Choate, with whom the Rushmores are now laboring alongside. Some fellow team members include Gay and Byron Nichols, Janet and Wayne Barrier, as well as Paula and Jerry Bates, among others.   The anticipated monthly and annual budget for the work in which the Rushmores are involved includes: $1,475  Stateside Travel$   687  Printing/Shipping/Office Supplies$1,200  Medical Expenses (treatment & insurance)$   713  Housing Allowance$     45  Internet (GGO)$   333

David’s sentiment indeed is correct, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard” (Psalm 19:1-3, emphasis added).Truly, God speaks through His natural revelation found in this world today. As this author sits alone in his study as the new day dawns, a summer storm is carrying the voice of God. This author is made to reflect upon The Almighty’s voice as He speaks loudly through the thunder. No, this voice is not uttered in words or still small whispers, it is merely carried in the wonderful blast from this awesome storm. God speaks in a way that all must “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10a). What a wonderful message The Almighty brings through a summer storm.     First, The Voice of the Almighty in the summer storm displays His Unyielding Power. How could any reasonable minded human being sit through a summer storm and not be enthralled with the power of God? The awesome rumbles from the thunder shake even the greatest of superstructures. The lightning splits in two even the strongest of the creation. The sweet Psalmist of Israel said it best, “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God” (Psalm 62:11). What more could one say when the thunder rolls, lightning cracks and the Almighty speaks (cf. Psalm 77:18)? Mighty man

To my mind, nothing better illustrates that sin breaks the covenant between God and mankind than the occasion of Moses breaking the tables of stone on which Jehovah had newly inscribed the Ten Commandments (Exodus 32:1-19). “When Moses saw what they were doing, in total disgust, he cast down the two tables of stone and shattered them. Violation of God’s law breaks his covenant” (Dobbs 2 emphasis added). Not only had the newly formed, newly liberated Israelite nation violated its covenant with God through sin, but Moses breaking the tablets of stone provided the most visual and graphic corresponding physical demonstration of that consequence of sin. Then and now, as well as from the dawn of mankind’s presence on planet earth, sin has always broken the respective covenant between God and man. In every case, man rather than God has been responsible for breaking whatever covenant between humanity and Deity that has been in place at the time (i.e., Patriarchy, Judaism or Christianity).    The inspired apostle John described this same consequence of sin this way: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). Isaiah described the sin-fractured covenant circumstance of his day this way: “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2). Violation of

How do we know Jesus Christ is the true Messiah? For the most part, I believe He is…but a small little niggling part of me wonders, what if I’m wrong? I want to go to heaven! I started questioning when a very dear friend of mine, who was always a believer, told me she doesn’t believe in Jesus anymore. She still believes in God, she said, and will not stop believing in Him, but she has doubts about Jesus. This is a very intelligent person, whose opinions and choices I’ve always respected and trusted. Although I’d like to think that no human being could change my ideas about religion, I realized that I COULD be wrong. I mean, who am I? If I am wrong, I want to be corrected. I want to please God. And if I’m right, I want to share this with my friend. I want to lead her to the truth so she will become a Christian. I’ve prayed about this, and I’m asking now for your help to understand. Thanks so much. Courtney Page     Doubts about the Messiahship of Jesus Christ relate first to a lack of confidence in the Bible being the Word of God. If one has doubts respecting the Word of God (Bible), he cannot have a correct and unshakable confidence in God the Father either. The answer to a confidence in Jesus Christ being the true Messiah begins with fortifying in one’s mind a firm confidence in the Bible.    

Hi. In reading some material from a brother today, it seems that adding fellowship halls, kitchens, gyms, etc. to church buildings are condemned, and that the church funds shouldn’t be used for this. We have added a new addition to our building (with a fellowship hall and a kitchen). There are pledges every year (though one is not obligated to pledge) to further pay off the addition. The fellowship hall was used for a baby shower and for Vacation Bible School lunch, and a wedding reception. Would you comment on this? Though I read material on this, I want to hear other brethren’s views as well. Thank You. Anthony Grigsby, Dayton, Ohio     Following are two URL’s for articles by T. Pierce Brown that mention “fellowship halls.” https://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/2006/jul/page13.htm https://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/2007/mar/page17.htm The emphasis for what we do as the church and for what we spend the Lord’s money needs to conform to the mission of the church discernible in the New Testament and come under Bible authority (direct statement, approved example or implication). Our church buildings fall under implication as tools to facilitate direct commands and examples especially pertaining to edification, but possibly also pertaining to evangelization and benevolence.     Often, the fellowship hall, annex or whatever we choose to call it often serves a dual purpose, namely edification (could also be for benevolence and evangelism) and social functions. Personally, I would prefer to justify the construction of an annex or fellowship hall based on its intended use for edification or another mission of the church. Yet, I

The Bible is not a textbook on world history per se, rather, it is a history of the dealings of God with mankind in order to bring about our redemption through the death of Christ on the cross. However, when the Bible speaks of events that transpired in the course of the history of the world, it always speaks of those events accurately and in harmony with the best historical and archaeological research. This is one of the greatest evidences for God’s having revealed the Bible, for had that not been the case, one can only wonder how Moses would have learned of the cities and monarchs visited by Abraham, and hundreds of other details that are stated in the Bible that the writers had no way of knowing on their own. It cannot be claimed that these were oral traditions handed down, for, oral traditions handed down do not have the unity found in the Bible. The Bible was written by thirty-nine or forty authors over a period of approximately sixteen hundred years. Yet, the unity and historical accuracy of the Sacred Volume transcends its being a mere human production. To demonstrate that oral traditions change from one society to another and one century to another, just look at the different accounts that have been found of the great flood of Noah. Different traditions say different things, and in different societies different things are emphasized, even to the changing of names and numbers. But not so with the Bible, yet

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22). Doubtless, Peter thought that he was being very generous by supposing that one ought to forgive another literally seven times. Imagine Peter’s astonishment when our Lord responded that forgiveness should be extended seventy times seven. If Peter was still thinking in literal terms, he may have understood Jesus to stipulate that one ought to be forgiven 490 times. One writer astutely illustrates the scenario that Peter might have contemplated following our Lord’s response. “What scorekeeping that would entail! ‘This is the fifth time you’ve stepped on my foot, and the thirty-seventh time you hurt my feelings, and that means I only have to forgive you 348 more times’” (Silkman 410). However, the matter from a literal consideration is more phenomenal than simply equating Jesus’ formula to 490 times. Consider the application: remember Peter’s question about the frequency of forgiveness in one day? Jesus taught seventy times seven. Just to see the magnitude of God’s forgiveness, look at the numbers. Seventy times seven each day: 490 times each day. There are 1440 minutes in a day. Rounded off that suggests that He would forgive us every three minutes around the clock from now until we leave for the other side of eternity! No one who will repent is beyond God’s forgiveness.

When I was a youngster, a popular game before the advent of computers, video games and more than two or three stations on a black and white television was the game, hide-and-seek. If you remember those days, you know the drill. One person, cautioned not to peek, would shut his eyes and cover his head and begin to count. Everyone else would scatter to various hiding places. When the one about to seek finished counting, giving everyone some opportunity to secret himself, he or she would yell, “Ready or not, here I come!” Usually, it wasn’t too difficult to find each boy or girl who had attempted to conceal himself or herself somewhere in or around the house. Occasionally, though, someone had hidden himself so well that his hiding place simply could not be discovered. It was then that the seeker would holler, “Come out, come out wherever you are!     One time when I was a teenager, my cousin and I were playing hide-and-seek in the barn loft. Those doing the counting and about to do the seeking often counted quickly to the designated number, so that those hiding had to hide quickly, often choosing poor places to hide as little opportunity afforded much decision or even distancing oneself very far from the seeker. That day, I climbed into the loft and promptly lifted a bale of hay, crammed myself into a cavity between other bales and replaced the bale above me. My cousin searched everywhere and could not find

Can you please explain the wine or the strong wine in Deuteronomy 14: 22-28. I’m not drinking wine or strong wine, I’m teaching bible class every sunday and my topic is about giving (offering, tithe and giving in the new testament) but the second tithe is mention in the book deuteronomy 14. Yours in Christ, Omar Agustin     Deuteronomy 14:26 reads, “And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink [“similar drink” NKJV], or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household” (KJV). Whatever Deuteronomy 14:26 means, respecting “wine” and “strong drink,” it must harmonize with other portions of divinely inspired Scripture about the same subject. Someone once said that Scripture is its own best commentary (i.e., other passages that are more easily understood pertaining to the same subject contribute to the proper understanding of more difficult passages). “…Scripture must serve as a guide to understand Scripture. Any problem text must be interpreted not in isolation but in the light of the overall teaching of Scripture. An interpretation of a passage contradicting the whole trend of Scripture must be rejected as wrong” (Bacchiocchi 224). One passage “doctrines” are suspiciously under substantiated by divine inspiration and scare me; proponents of social drinking (of alcohol) pin their hope for the defense of alcoholic beverages on Deuteronomy 14:26, forasmuch as more feeble strategies of the same sort fall flat

I was born out of wedlock and my mother was formerly married to a man, of which wasn’t my father (I was born after their divorce). They had an unscriptual divorce (of which she said was his idea), and now he has remarried. In her repentance in becoming a Christian, do I have to seperate in one instance or another from my mother, since I am one born out of wedlock? Also, does I Corinthians 7:11 allow her to stay single if their is no reconciliation? Sorry. Since learning more about marriage, divorce, and remarriage, I have been desperate in getting the complete truth for myself and others. [Name & Location withheld at the discretion of the Editor]     For your part, being “born out of wedlock” attaches no spiritual fault or sin to you. Babies, irrespective of the circumstances of their births, arrive on planet earth sinlessly perfect. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (Ezek. 18:20). Guilt for sin comes later in life; “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee” (Ezek 28:15). The fact that you were conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5) was sin shared by your biological parents. If your mother had never repented of that

How often do you contemplate and evaluate your spiritual path to eternity. Young mother, where will you be and what will you be doing in a million years from now? What about you, husband and father, where will you be and what will you be doing in a million years fro now? Teenager, what about you; have you paused to contemplate and evaluate your spiritual path to eternity? Where will our children be and what will they be doing one million years from now? This is neither an idle nor a silly question for those who realize that one’s physical life on earth is a mere pittance of a few years contrasted with an eternity thereafter. Surely, Bible believers acknowledge that what we do in the here and the now will determine where we will be and what we will be doing in a million years from now.     First, no matter how long one may live, life on earth is comparatively brief. The oldest person who ever lived as far as any record reveals was Methuselah he lived to be 969 years old (Genesis 5:27). Methuselah still died! However, ordinarily in modern times, common lifespans range from 70 to 80-years-old (Psalm 90:10). Yet, we know that babies die, too. Some other people live longer than 80-years-old, maybe approaching or exceeding 100-years-old. Still, all die (Hebrews 9:27). There were two exceptions to dying as a prerequisite to leaving the land of the living; Enoch and Elijah avoided the pains of

Do you realize that all of life lived is preparation for life to live in the future, especially regarding Christian service. Life is a school! We learn until we die. Every day lived prepares one for a future day, a future job, a future relationship or a future mission in life. Furthermore, every child of God has been preparing all his life for the Christian service that lies before him now. Not only so, but life lived hereto now and one’s current Christian service foreshadows Christian service that may lie before him or her in the future. The Bible contains examples in the lives of biblical characters where either preparatory time preceded some great service, or useful service throughout one’s life prepared him or her for even greater service later in life.     Notice some Bible characters whose life lived prepared them for godly service later in their lives. Noah was no spring chicken when God called upon him to build an ark to preserve a remnant of humans and animals from the universal flood. Noah was more than 500-years-old when God called upon him to build the ark (Genesis 5:32). Noah had demonstrated for hundreds of years that he was a righteous man, though living in an extremely ungodly world (Genesis 6:8-13). Noah’s long life of godly living prepared him for great service, without which through him or someone like him, all humans and most of the animal kingdom would be extinct today.     Moses was one such Bible

Often it may not be that way anymore, but there was a time when a mother or a father said to his child, if that child was so bold as to quiz his parent, “Because I said so!” That mom or dad said something was enough reason and authority for one’s child to obey. Though it might have been encouraging to the child to know the reason why for certain instructions, really, the reason why was immaterial and irrelevant to the parental command. Years ago, any child foolish enough to disobey his mother or his father could expect punishment without fail.     Now Friends, God in heaven is our Father. That God (through the Bible) has said something is reason enough and authority enough for one to obey him. Though it might be encouraging to the child of God to know the reason why for certain instructions, really, the reason why is immaterial and irrelevant to the divine, parental command. Surely, any right thinking individual who is foolish enough to disobey our heavenly Father can expect divine punishment without fail.     The Bible abounds with example after example of failed as well as successful interaction between mortal man and our heavenly Father. It behooves us to learn from the mistakes of others, lest we also face the wrath of an angry God. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-12, the apostle Paul recounted the failures of Israel following the Exodus and concluded that Christians could avoid similar sins. “Now all these things happened unto them

Especially Christians need to learn from the mistakes of others, so they can better prepare to meet God in eternity. The American Standard Version of 1 Corinthians 10:11 uses the phrase, “by way of example,” to emphasize that contemporary people can and need to learn from the mistakes of those who have come before us. Parents sometimes say to their children (and others over whom they may have some influence), “Don’t make the same mistake that I made.” This type of advice might have to do with a misspent youth (e.g., drinking, drugs, premarital sex, an abortion, marrying too young, hanging out with the wrong crowd, etc.). Quite possibly, such advice may have to do with post-adolescent or adult life responsibilities (e.g., mishandling one’s money, childrearing, etc.). Any number of things might be included in such well meaning parental advice, howbeit, advice that often is neither desired by younger persons nor followed. The Bible contains several instances of Bible characters essentially urging subsequent generations, “Don’t make the same mistakes that we made.” Solomon, for instance, tried everything “under the sun” to bring him earthly, sensual happiness and concluded that it was all in vain. “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). Solomon’s Book of Proverbs in its entirety is a warning to youth to avoid paths of wickedness (and their hurtful consequences) and rather choose paths of righteousness (which promise a better today and a brighter eternity). The

Being merely religious does not obligate God to save a person. In the context of John 4:4-42, Jesus entered into a discussion with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. Jesus Christ turned the discussion toward the spiritual and moral inadequacies of the Samaritan woman. She, in turn, redirected the discussion to a longstanding religious dispute between the Samaritans and the Jews. Jesus Christ responded, in part, by firmly stating that the religion of the Samaritans lacked any efficiency toward salvation (John 4:22). The commentary, Four Fold Gospel, by McGarvey and Pendleton makes a brilliant observation regarding the statement of our Lord in John 4:22. “Though the Samaritans possessed the Pentateuch, they were without the revelation of God which the prophets of Israel had developed, and their worship was neither authorized nor accredited by God. Moreover, it led toward nothing; for salvation was evolved from the Jewish religion, and not from that of Samaria” (emphasis added). That astute assessment of the Samaritan religion loudly echoes the truth respecting much of contemporary religion.     To set the backdrop for any contemporary application of this principle, we need to discern more clearly comparisons and contrasts between first century Samaritan religion and Judaism. The inception of the Samaritan religion included idolatry along with the worship of the true God (2 Kings 17:26-34). The various foreigners who inhabited the northern kingdom of Israel after its demise worshipped several idol gods. They also worshipped Jehovah, but rather than as the true God, they worshipped God as simply one

I don’t remember any previous move over the past nearly four decades (while in the military or during my ministry) that has proven to be as difficult and personally taxing as Bonnie’s and my move to Winona, MS. Speckled with bruises, both of us bear the battle scars of packing, loading, unloading, unpacking and attempting to put away our household. We parted with several items through a yard sale and giving away several things (some of it spontaneously simply because it would not fit on the truck, e.g. couch, grill, table, etc.). Still other items that didn’t make it to the truck are in a sister’s garage back in West Virginia (e.g., table saw, power tools, etc.). We still haven’t found the remotes for the TV, stereo and VCR (little loss, I know). For awhile, we couldn’t find my dress shirts, and we still do not  know  for  sure  where  some  print shop equipment pieces may be. Doubtless, this move has been harder on us because we are a little older than we have ever been before.     Now, we are playing catch-up with the aspects of our prior ministry that are ongoing (i.e., Gospel Gazette Online and religious printing). In addition, we are beginning to acclimate ourselves to the work of World Evangelism (i.e., Voice of Truth International and Global Harvest magazines, massive literature distribution, foreign radio and TV, missionary training school, Bible class curriculum, etc.). Saturday, October 20 we will set up tables at Magnolia Bible College Lectures, and Sunday through Thursday we will set up table

Some brethren here in Africa are very superstitious if you deny supernatuaral stories you they will say you dont believe in withcraft, so how does the bible difine witchcraft did they perform miracles? Joshua Mukusha     From time to time historically up to about the end of the first century A.D., supernatural or miraculous events sometimes occurred. There were two possible, general origins of various supernatural or miraculous incidents—divine origin (i.e., God or his angels) or satanic origin (i.e., Satan or his angels). Miracles involving revelation from God, healing, raising the dead and punishments or judgments by God were divine in origin. Witchcraft, sorcery, demon possession, etc. were satanic in origin.     Creation was the result of the miraculous determination of God to bring the universe and mankind into existence (Genesis 1). The transmittal of revelation from God to mankind through prophets and preachers was miraculous (2 Peter 1:21) and accompanied by additional miracles to validate the new revelation and distinguish it from manmade, counterfeit revelation (Mark 16:17-20). Jesus Christ healed all manner of sickness and cast out demons during his earthly ministry (Matthew 4:24) to prove that he was who he said that he was—the Messiah or the Son of God. Our Lord as well as the apostle Peter raised people from the dead (John 11:43-44; Acts 9:36-42). God and his servants miraculously executed divine judgment or punishment upon wicked persons (Genesis 19:24-25; Acts 13:8-11).     Through his prophets, God severely condemned witchcraft and sorcery (Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8), whether faked (Acts 8:9-11) or

can you tell me what the legal age requirement for a jewish boy to be permitted into the temple in biblical times thanks peter angel     First, the “Temple” in first century Jerusalem must be properly defined. Herod’s Temple, to distinguish it from two earlier Jewish temples at the same location, sat upon Mt. Moriah. Herod the Great expanded the surface area of the hill with substantial retaining walls, which either were backfilled or overlaid with massive rock slabs and covered with earth. The result was a somewhat irregular approximate 1,000 foot per side pedestal or Temple Mount. A covered porch ringed the circumference of the Temple Mount, through which rooms one passed into a large courtyard, the Court of the Gentiles. As the name suggests, anyone, even Gentiles could enter this part of the Temple compound. An inner wall separated between the Court of the Gentiles and the Court of the (Jewish) Women; no Gentiles were permitted beyond this inner wall, but any Jew was permitted into the Court of the Women. The Court of the Women contained at least four rooms, including where religious teachers often assembled to give instruction to fellow Jews and where Jesus as a 12-year-old Jewish boy conversed with such persons (Luke 2:46).      Still another division beyond the Court of the Women led to the Court of the (Jewish) Men; any Jewish male was permitted into this area of the Temple compound. Beyond the Court of the Men was the Court of the Priests into which only Jewish priests could go, and where they performed sacrifices.

Have you ever heard of billy goat religion? Well, maybe not. After all, goats are not a part of the assignment of our Lord to his apostles to take the Gospel to “every creature” (Mark 16:15). Goats are not among those charged in both testaments to “prepare to meet thy God” (Amos 4:12; Jam. 4:8) because of an impending appearance before the Judgment Bar of God to give an account of one’s life (Ecc. 12:13-14; 2 Cor. 5:10). However, the Bible does refer to animals, including sheep (lambs) and goats, figuratively through types, metaphors and similes to teach spiritual truths. “Types” use one thing to represent a fuller and superior thing or person (e.g., the sacrificial lamb of the Old Testament versus the Lamb of  God—Jesus Christ—who died for us). “Metaphors” call something that it is not for the purpose of comparison and emphasis (e.g., Jesus compared Herod to a fox, Luke 13:31-32). “Similes” use the word “as” or “like” to compare two different things for the purpose of comparison or emphasis (e.g., the Holy Spirit is compared to a dove, Matt. 3:16). Jesus used his famous illustration of goats and sheep respecting Final Judgment in Matthew 25:32-33. So, using similar figures, just what is billy goat religion?     Billy goats resemble sheep to a degree. Both goats and sheep are near the same size, have four legs, are grazing animals and have a similar voice. Likewise, non-Christians and unfaithful Christians may resemble Christians to a degree. Anyone with clear eyesight can distinguish

Personal responsibility has often been and ever is a casualty of the human unwillingness to acknowledge accountability. Not willing to be saddled with the liability for our mistakes, from child through adult, we characteristically blame others for our shortcomings. While we eagerly accept accolades and praise, we adamantly refuse culpability for our actions (or inaction). Yet, often because we cannot or may not be able to convince peers and superiors that some failure was “no one’s fault,” we play the blame game. Siblings blame each other; spouses blame each other; employees and employers blame each other; litigants blame each other; etc.     The blame game began in the Garden of Eden and was introduced by the first man. When God confronted Adam about his sin, the father of the human race blamed God (and Eve)! “And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat” (Genesis 3:12). Eve being blamed by Adam for sin blamed another as well. “And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat” (Genesis 3:13). Adam and Eve played the blame game, but it did not really work out in their favor. As a result of their sins, despite the complicity of Satan, Adam and Eve (1) died spiritually, (2) were exiled from the Garden of Eden, (3) began to die physically, (4) had to

A computer is nothing more than a big doorstop or a boat anchor, unless it is programmed with an OS (i.e. operating system). Productive work or an error-ridden mess, computers are reliable to produce according to the input, beginning with the operating system. If the operating system is error-ridden, the output will be faulty. If the operating system and data input is reliable, the resulting computer work will be reliable, too.     Frankly, humans are not much different from computers respecting input and output. One’s words and conduct will be praiseworthy if God’s Word is thoroughly instilled in him. Contrariwise, if God’s Word is not instilled in a person, one can expect his words and conduct to be faulty.     Just what have we instilled in our hearts, the hearts of our children and others around us? I remember a three-year-old niece of my wife who could cuss on par with the proverbial sailor, indicating the wrong sort of input as well as the absence of instilling the Word of God in that young mind. Maybe not so obvious, what have we instilled in our hearts, the hearts of our children and those over whom we have some influence? What we have in our hearts and minds will determine where we spend eternity!     The first step in refraining from sin, which will keep us out of heaven, is to instill the Word of God in our hearts. “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in