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Words From Our Preacher

We Must Obey God

Nov 5, 2017
3 min

We Must Obey God

Belief is certainly essential for salvation, but it does not bring salvation when left alone. To believe in Jesus as the only Son of God is the beginning, but it does not reflect the totality of salvation. In some circles, it is anathema to suggest that man has any part whatsoever in his own salvation, but Scriptures loudly teach that man, while unable to be saved by his own works, is, in fact, a participant in his own salvation. Isaiah declared that we are separated from God

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Vine, Branches and Denominations

May 18, 2014
3 min

Vine, Branches and Denominations

The Immediate Context We have said often that Scripture must be understood in the context in which it is spoken. One must never pluck a verse from its surroundings and make it say something the Holy Spirit never intended. I fear such has happened with John 15:1-11. The immediate context shows Jesus was talking about individuals, not churches. The language he uses is specific. In verse 5, the word translated “you” is originally in the second person, plural. Such words refer to

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Sep 11, 2012
3 min

Doctrine Is Good

The word “doctrine” has become one of those bad words to many. To them it suggests disagreements and quarrels over subjective religious topics. Since most people dislike confrontation they avoid any doctrinal discussion. But in fact, doctrine is vital and lies at the very center of our faith. Every aspect of our religious thinking is doctrinal in some way. Even the most basic belief that Jesus is the Son of God is a doctrinal belief. There is nothing wrong with doctrine and C

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May 26, 2012
3 min

Memorial Day

This weekend Americans celebrate a special national holiday, Memorial Day. Although the name has changed from the original Decoration Day, Memorial Day celebrates and remembers all the servicemen and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the many wars our country has fought. Monday will see a variety of ceremonies marking the day. Flags will fly at half-staff until noon to honor the fallen. We owe a great debt to our military people who have fought across the globe to

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Aug 28, 2011
3 min

United Church of Christ and the Churches of Christ

An article in Saturday’s Mobile Press- Register announced the formation of a new church in Mobile. Although it does not go by the name it is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Because this is the first UCC church in Mobile and because of the similarity of the name, I thought we should take a look at the beliefs of this new church and see if it compares well to the teachings of the New Testament. It does not. The United Church of Christ has no affiliation with, nor n

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Aug 14, 2011
2 min

Doctrine

The “D” word has fallen out of favor in some places. Some suggest that it cannot be preached and should only be discussed at the most arcane level. Instead we preach about love and acceptance, grace mercy, favor and the like. Doctrine is out of favor. In some places, doctrine is seen as that which divides believers in Jesus Christ. I think the opposite. Doctrine is a crucial part of our knowledge. Jesus spoke volumes on doctrine. In fact all of the things mentioned above exis

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Apr 17, 2011
3 min

Holy Week

Today is the beginning of Holy Week and it marks the final week of Lent. According to the Catholic calendar today is Palm Sunday which celebrates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, Maundy Thursday which is the time Catholics say the Lord instituted the Mass and the Sacrament of Holy Communion, Good Friday which is the day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and ending with Easter Sunday, the day of Jesus resurrection. You will see and hear much about Holy Week

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Jan 26, 2011
4 min

Robert Bentley and Brotherhood

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley discovered quickly that the secular community neither understands nor seeks to understand Christian thought. In comments to a denominational gathering just after being sworn inaugurated into office Bentley declared that there was no brotherhood with people who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ. The remarks were sharp and to the point. A day later Governor Bentley assured that he meant no offense. I have no interest in the political machinations o

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Aug 15, 2010
3 min

The End of the Patriarchal Age

A reader has asked the question: “When did the Patriarchal Age end for the Gentiles, Acts 2 or Acts 10?” It’s a good question and we will try to give an accurate answer. First some background. God has always placed himself under certain agreements with man. These Biblical covenants or dispensations are summarized in another article on the Preacher’s Study Blog and we invite your consideration of that piece. Jesus mission was to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). But in it

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A Congregation is not the Church

Aug 9, 2010
4 min

A Congregation is not the Church

The One There is one church (Ephesians 4:4). Jesus promised to build his church (Matthew 16:18 ). He never promised to build many churches but only one. Both Isaiah and Daniel (Isaiah 2:2-4; Daniel 2:44-45) told of the coming of a single kingdom which would come in Jerusalem. That church came in Jerusalem in the days of the Roman Emperors (Acts 2:41-47) and is the kingdom (Colossians 2:13-14). That church has only one doctrine (Ephesians 4:1-6) which is the truth given by Jes

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Jul 29, 2010
5 min

Understanding Bible Covenants

You must understand covenants in the Bible if you want to understand the Bible. Although God himself never changes (Hebrews 6:17; Hebrews 13:8) he does change the way he deals with man. God does not deal with us today the same as he dealt with Adam and Eve. He did not deal with the Israelites the same as he dealt with Adam and Eve. Understanding these differences will help better appreciate the glory of Jesus Christ and his perfect law while becoming better students of the Bi

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Jul 3, 2010
6 min

Is There A Middle Ground Between Heaven and Hell?

This is a question that pops up in some form from time to time. The questioner wants to know what will happen to people who have never heard of God, Jesus Christ, the Bible and salvation. I am going to try and offer a reasonable answer to the question. Let me say in the opening that people who ask this question do so out of a love of others. They are horrified at the idea that a person without the Scriptures could be lost. Surely, they reason, there must be some other divi

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Is There Any Room for Obedience?

Feb 11, 2010
3 min

Is There Any Room for Obedience?

Is there any room for obedience in salvation? I am trying to answer this question but I find many confusing answers in the protestant world. Some don’t seem to think obedience is important. Some argue that we cannot obey God. Phil Johnson, himself a Calvinist, in arguing against an extreme form of Calvinism says this, “…the sinner’s inability to obey God does not nullify his duty to do so.” Notice the assumption that the sinner is unable to obey. Boyce and Rykin in The Doctri

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What About the Old Testament?

Jan 20, 2009
5 min

What About the Old Testament?

Bible students usually spend much time in the New Testament. Such is reasonable as most students seek Putting the Old Testament in Perspective Once we begin to study the books of Genesis through Malachi we are confronted with an important question: How should I apply the Old Testament today? For example, Leviticus is full of detailed instructions about animal sacrifices (Leviticus 1-4). Should I practice animal sacrifices today? Why or why not? Long hair was often a sign of s

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Sep 11, 2008
5 min

Forgiveness of Sins Comes At Baptism – Not Before (Part 2)

The question of precisely when salvation comes is a tremendously important question. There is much error found in the religious world today on the subject and we are trying to correct those misunderstandings. We have [cref 375 previously discussed] certain comments made by a gentleman who has so far declined to participate in our discussion. In that earlier post we noted several passages which demonstrate that salvation occurs at the moment of obedience, at baptism, and not b

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Sep 10, 2008
4 min

Forgiveness of Sins Comes At Baptism – Not Before (Part 1)

Am I saved before or after baptism? The answer points to a deep rift between the teachings of the churches of Christ and most of the denominational world. The Christian would argue that a man must be baptized in order to be saved while the Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, etc. would argue that one is saved before he is baptized. The answer can only be found in Scripture. In a page critical of the churches of Christ, a Baptist writer offers several verses which he c

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Sep 4, 2008
4 min

Once Saved, Can I Be Lost?

John was taught the truth many years ago and as a young adult he became a Christian. Since then he has begun to wander and now finds himself in a world of sin. As he ponders his condition he takes some comfort in his belief that although he persists in sin now, he was saved years ago and therefore cannot be eternally lost. Or can he? The idea of the “Perseverance of the Saints” or “eternal security” is one of the cardinal points of a doctrine attributed to John Calvin during

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Aug 28, 2008
3 min

Why Is A Pitch Pipe Acceptable When A Piano Is Not?

As we continue our discussion of questions raised by a denominational preacher we next turn to a common question which concerns worship. Our questioner wonders why we demand Biblical authority for all we do in worship but seem to ignore that requirement when it comes to song books, pitch pipes, microphones. He wonders why the difference? First, the questioner is correct. We do refuse the mechanical instrument in worship. He is further correct when he notes that we typically u

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Aug 25, 2008
4 min

The church of Christ Before the Restoration

It is generally held that the churches of Christ, as we know them today in this country, arose from the Restoration Movement of the 19th century. [cref 271 Thomas and Alexander Campbell] were major influences during this period along with many others. Some have wondered where the church was during those years from around the 4th century AD until the 19th century. It is a good question and deserves a good answer. Apostasy Begins Even before the end of the apostolic era, curren

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Aug 25, 2008
1 min

UPDATE: The Baptist Interlocutor

We have yet to hear back from our friend who made such ridiculous charges against the Lord’s church. As we said in our first email, we did contact him at the email address he listed and have heard nothing. The email did not bounce so it did arrive but he has either not checked his email or he has chosen not to respond. Frankly, I suspect the later. Nevertheless, I will continue my series of articles addressing his charges. It’s not about changing him as that may be impossible

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