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…

The Bible’s Great Claim of Inspiration

Views: 90[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2  page.] The Bible claims to be the exclusive revelation of the true and living God. The Old Testament prophets enjoin, “Hear the word of the Lord,” or like expressions, hundreds of…

“Strong in the Lord”

Views: 80[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2  page.] Paul commanded, “Be strong in the Lord” (Eph. 6:10). The fact that we are ordered to be spiritually strong necessarily implies that it is possible for us to attain such…

Purposes of Miracles

Views: 61[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2  page.] Why did God empower men in the first century to work miracles? One of the Biblical words for “miracle” (semeion) provides a clue. This word connotes an act that is…

On the Intolerance of Tolerance

Views: 66[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] It is possible to become so extreme in the practice of a virtue that it becomes a vice. It is good to pray, but if one spent every moment in…

On Identifying False Teachers

Views: 71[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] As our Lord drew the Sermon on the Mount to a close, He gave the following warning: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly…

“No Authority Needed”

Views: 71[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] In the 1988 debate between Alan Highers and Given O. Blakely of the Independent Christian Church, Mr. Blakely attempted to justify the use of mechanical instruments of music in worship by…

Led by the Spirit

Views: 75[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] One is not a Christian unless one is led by the Spirit: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God” (Rom….

Is There a Second “Exception” for Divorce and Remarriage?

Views: 90[Note:  This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] Many grievously misunderstand the nature of revelation/inspiration. Some aver that only the words of Jesus (those in red letters in some Bibles) are authoritative, and the remainder of the writers…

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…