The Pattern Principle

Visits: 28[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles-2 page.]             Is it important to strictly follow the New Testament’s teaching about the church? Most religious people have been led to believe it is not. The crux of the matter is,…

When Hurting Helps

Visits: 26[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles–3 page.]             God is in the helping business. He has always acted in such a way as to help and benefit mankind. To be true to Him we must seek to be…

Elders and the Unruly

Visits: 25[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] There are three key passages of Scripture that place the responsibility of local church discipline upon the elders. In Acts 20:28–31 Paul tells elders to take heed to the flock,…

Church Discipline—the Real Reason Why It Is Not Practiced

Visits: 21[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] While cases involving the exercise of discipline in the church may vary greatly and may depend on many factors, I believe our failure to practice appropriate discipline may almost invariably…

A Handicapped Body

Visits: 13[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] Sympathetic hearts are instantly and deeply stirred at the sight of a handicapped person. The real root of such sympathy is knowing that he is handicapped. While it is tragic…

Elders—Their Crucial Role

Visits: 24[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Longer Articles  page.] When the Lord Jesus returned to the Father, He first entrusted the church to the apostles (Mat. 16:18–19; John 14:16–18), who had the responsibility of receiving the revealed Word (John 16:13)…

The “Purpose-Driven” Church Paradigm

Visits: 60[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…

The Scandal of the Church

Visits: 15[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2  page.] In worship, organization, work, and other features, the faithful churches of Christ in the first century and in the twenty-first century are identical. This is that for which those who…

All He Asks Is All We Have

Visits: 22[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] Why do so many people fail in living the Christian life? While many answers have been offered, I believe there is one overriding reason that fits every case. People have…

God Rewardeth the Fool and the Transgressors—Proverbs 26

Visits: 86[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts page.] Introduction As Solomon concluded his lament over his own vain choices in life, he announced that he had issued warnings to help others avoid his errors: And further, because the Preacher was…