The “Purpose-Driven” Church Paradigm

Views: 128[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…

“We Are Commanded to Grow”

Views: 77[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 3  page.] While speaking of the local church, the preacher said, “We are commanded to grow.” He immediately quoted Mark 16:15 as his proof text: “Go ye into all the world, and…

The Church Should Have Failed

Views: 75[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2  page. By all human standards the church Jesus established through His apostles should never have “gotten off the ground.” Everything seemed to be against its success and survival. The men charged…

Do Numbers Equal Strength?  

Views: 76[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] “Yes” and “No.” The Bible urges Christians to grow and mature in the faith and to thereby become strong (Eph. 6:10, et al.). What God desires for His individual saints,…

Heat and Light

Views: 96[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….

Faithfulness and the Sermon on the Mount

Views: 137[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…

Christ Ascends and the Disciples Wait—Acts 1:1–26

Views: 5[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts page.] Introduction The book of Acts is a transitional book between the Gospel accounts and the remainder of the New Testament. The first chapter of Acts is likewise a transitional chapter in several…

“Automatic” Membership Placement?

Views: 3[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] Through the years I have come across brethren who believed that merely visiting with a congregation for a few weeks or months thereby made them members, with no request on…

Avoiding New Fads

Views: 5[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Manuscripts page.] Introduction The worldly, fashion-mad nature of humankind has changed little through the centuries. Luke provides an interesting description of the philosophers whom Paul encountered at Mars Hill in ancient Athens: “Now all…