The “Purpose-Driven” Church Paradigm

Visits: 58[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Longer Articles  page.] Introduction Churches should have goals and aims. In this sense every congregation of the Lord’s people should be driven by purpose rather than stumbling along haphazardly. However, purpose-driven has taken on…

Emphasizing “The Basics”

Visits: 22[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] Any time men stray very far from “the basics,” they fall far below their potential. A football team can have splendid athletes but neglecting crisp blocking and sure tackling neutralizes…

Declaring War on the Fellowship of the Lord’s Church

Visits: 76[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts  page.] Introduction  Satan and all of his minions outside the church have always opposed it. He did his best to prevent the Lord from establishing the church in the first place. Although he…

Heat and Light

Visits: 39[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.               The winter season gives us vivid reminders of the need for heat. Without it we would freeze. The approaching darkness each evening reminds us of the need for light….

Denominationalism

Visits: 62[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles–1  page.] Denominationalism refers to a “denominational or sectarian spirit or policy; the tendency to divide into denominations or sects” (Random House College Dictionary). In religion, the term refers to the multitude (some…

Cleansing the Temple

Visits: 47[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] Jesus twice “cleansed” the temple (actually the court of the temple) in Jerusalem by driving the merchants and moneychangers from it. The first time was near the beginning of His…

Resist Satan in the Faith—1 Peter 5:5–14

Visits: 68[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts page.] Introduction Bible students have long noticed that those who were truly inspired of God were able to express the most sublime concepts with the greatest economy of words. The first letter from…

“Liberalism” and “Anti-ism”—Two Erroneous Extremes

Visits: 190[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts page.] Introduction History reveals that men are susceptible to extremes in almost every arena of thought and behavior. This is no more clearly demonstrable than in the field of religion. A classic illustration…

Faithfulness and the Sermon on the Mount

Visits: 81[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts page.] Introduction Christ does not require us to be rich, good-looking, multi-talented, socially prominent, or formally educated. There is one thing he requires of every one of his servants: faithfulness. The faith has…

Paul’s Public Rebuke of Cephas—Galatians 2:11–21

Visits: 48[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts page.] Introduction Galatians 2:11–21 is a thought bridge. It is obvious from chapter 1:1–2:10 that two factors were at work among the churches of the region: Paul’s apostolic credentials and authority had come…