“Is That All There Is?”

Views: 70[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller wrote a song thus titled, and Peggy Lee made a hit recording of it in 1969. Its lyrics somewhat reflected the cynicism and cultural breakdown…

Impartation of Spiritual Gifts

Views: 99[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] In 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, Paul listed nine miraculous “manifestations” of the Spirit. These gifts were scattered among various members, with some apparently receiving no gift at all (vv. 28–30). Since…

Holy Spirit Baptism Q and A

Views: 88[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] Consider some common questions about Holy Spirit baptism and their answers from the Bible: Q— “Isn’t Holy Spirit baptism necessary for salvation?” A—No. It was not in either case recorded…

“Here’s How…”

Views: 74[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles  page.] A leaflet making the rounds purports to instruct us on the way to have “an eternal relationship with God.” The suggested four-point plan is as follows: Admit Your Sin—“For all have…

God’s Grace is Exclusive

Views: 79 [Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] While God wills that all men be saved (1 Tim. 2:4), this is the statement of his ideal will. His ideal will and His conditional will are not the same,…

God Does Not Know Some Things

Views: 74 [Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] In numerous statements the Bible proclaims God’s omniscience—He knows all things (Rom. 11:33–34; 1 John 3:20b; et al.). Despite these plain averments, the Bible also reveals some things God does…

God Cannot Do Some Things

Views: 84 [Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] “There is nothing too hard for thee,” Jeremiah wrote of God (32: 17). Paul wrote of “…the exceeding greatness of his power” (Eph. 1:19). The Bible abounds with claims of…

“Born Again” Christians

Views: 67[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] Once, while I was discussing the Bible with a man, he said that his wife had become a “born again” Christian awhile back. President Jimmy Carter claimed to be a…

On Being Broadminded

Views: 55[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] Broadminded connotes an ample tolerance of beliefs and/or behaviors other than one’s own. Modern philosophers have created a culture that exalts this trait regarding morals and all religions (i.e., apart…

Biblical Baptism—No. 9 

Views: 61[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.]   The New Testament teaches by implication when one should be baptized. When the multitudes on the day of Pentecost heard the Gospel, Luke records the response as follows: “They then…