The Church—No. 4 (Its Organization)

Views: 97[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles-2 page.]             When one looks closely at the New Testament, a pattern of organization for the church emerges. It is clearly stated that Christ is the “head of the church” (Eph. 1:22)….

A Time To Be Hardheaded

Views: 104[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] The call and commission of Ezekiel to be the prophet of God among the exiled Jews in Babylon is interesting. God said to the prophet: Behold, I have made thy…

A Sad Story That Hits “Close to Home”

Views: 10[Note: This MS is available in a larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] I spent 8 years of my youth (1946–1953) in the small central town of Burnet, Texas. My father preached for the faithful congregation there the first 4 of those years…

On Elders and Preachers

Views: 82[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1  page.] Much could and should be said on what preachers owe elders. Many sad problems have been precipitated by unfaithful, unappreciative, and sometimes unscrupulous preachers. Such men give every faithful and…

Elders and the Unruly

Views: 101[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,…

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Views: 80[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] An editorial in the Current-Argus by Ned Cantwell contained some thought-provoking words: Suppose the drafters of the Declaration of Independence had neglected to add this paragraph to their document:      And…

Church Discipline—the Real Reason Why It Is Not Practiced

Views: 97[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…

“Is It Worth the Trouble?”

Views: 87[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] The question of our title is one of dismay, discouragement, frustration and perhaps other negative emotions. It is usually provoked by some unsuccessful, unrewarding, and unpleasant experience. It is the…

Strength for the Fight

Views: 93[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 2  page.] Just as God’s people in the Old Testament had their physical armies to wage war against the enemies of God, so His New Testament people are figuratively depicted as soldiers…

Do Elders Have Authority? 

Views: 92[Note: This MS is available in larger font on our Brief Articles 1 page.] There is a strong element in the church which denies that elders have any authority in a local congregation, except that which inheres in their example (which equals no authority at…